Elsevier

Biochemical Pharmacology

Volume 47, Issue 12, 15 June 1994, Pages 2279-2287
Biochemical Pharmacology

Relevance of interstrand DNA crosslinking induced by anthracyclines for their biological activity

https://doi.org/10.1016/0006-2952(94)90266-6Get rights and content

Abstract

The relevance of interstrand DNA crosslinking induced by anthracyclines for their cytotoxic action was studied in several biological systems with cells differing in sensitivity towards these compounds. It was done by establishing the correlation between DNA crosslinking and cytotoxic activity of anthracyclines. The study showed that there is a strong positive correlation between cytotoxic activity of anthracyclines and their DNA crosslinking potency in HeLa S3 cells for a group of six Daunomycin derivatives (r = 0.97) as well as for all the studied 13 anthracyclines of divergent chemical structure (r = 0.95). Similar relationships between cytotoxic activity and DNA crosslinking ability was found for Adriamycin® and Daunomycin in three other cellular systems: (i) in LoVo and about 20-fold Adriamycinresistant LoVo/DX human colon adenocarcinoma cells, (ii) CHO-K1 and its Adriamycin-hypersensitive mutant CHO-ADR5 Chinese hamster ovary cells and (iii) HeLa S3 cells sensitized about 3-fold to cytotoxic action of Adriamycin and Daunomycin by lowering intracellular glutathione content, to about 10% of normal level, by buthionine sulfoximine treatment. The presented results show that DNA crosslinking induced by anthracyclines may be responsible for the cytotoxic activity of these compounds.

References (28)

  • L Ott

    An Introduction to Statistical Methods and Data Analysis

    (1984)
  • ST Crooke et al.

    Structure-activity relations of anthracyclines relative to effects on macromolecular synthesis

    Mol Pharmacol

    (1978)
  • M Potmesil

    DNA topoisomerase II as intracellular target in anthracycline treatment of cancer

  • M Potmesil et al.

    Relationship of Adriamycin concentrations to the DNA lesions induced in hypoxic and euoxic L1210 cells

    Cancer Res

    (1983)
  • Cited by (68)

    • Synthesis and electrochemical, spectral, and biological evaluation of novel 9,10-anthraquinone derivatives containing piperidine unit as potent antiproliferative agents

      2019, Journal of Molecular Structure
      Citation Excerpt :

      The mechanism of action, antitumor activity, and cardiotoxicity of anthracyclines and anthracenediones have been extensively discussed and depend on many factors [12–14]. The biological activity of these compounds results from the possibility of the DNA intercalation leading to the inhibition of many cellular processes [15], interstrand DNA cross-linking [16,17], free radical formation leading to DNA damage [18], DNA alkylation [19], and inhibition of the enzyme topoisomerase II [20]. Taking into consideration the above-mentioned factors, one can conclude that the antitumor activity of anthraquinone derivatives strongly depends on the chemical structure and redox activities.

    • Role of nucleotide excision repair proteins in response to DNA damage induced by topoisomerase II inhibitors

      2016, Mutation Research - Reviews in Mutation Research
      Citation Excerpt :

      In addition to their anti-topo II activity, anthracyclines can also undergo reduction reactions in the presence of metals and oxygen, forming reactive oxygen species (ROS) [13,14]. Moreover, the toxicity of anthracyclines is enhanced by their ability to form adducts in the DNA, which is favored by the presence of formaldehyde [15], and also by the formation of DNA interstrand crosslinks (ICLs) [16]. Despite their effectiveness, the use of anthracyclines is limited by their cardiotoxicity, which is due in part to the high levels of ROS that can be formed, damaging cellular structures [17].

    • In vitro efficacy of doxorubicin and etoposide against a feline injection site sarcoma cell line

      2014, Research in Veterinary Science
      Citation Excerpt :

      Doxorubicin is a cytotoxic anthracycline that is widely used in the treatment of several human and veterinary cancers. Its efficacy is likely related to its ability to interfere with several cellular components, including DNA intercalation and inhibition of topoisomerase II, DNA and RNA polymerases, DNA alkylation, disruption of calcium homeostasis, and generation of free radicals that damage DNA and cellular proteins (Gewirtz, 1999; Mau and Powis, 1992; Oakes et al., 1990; Skladanowski and Kanopa, 1994; Taatjes et al., 1996; Tewey et al., 1984; Tritton and Yee, 1982; Zunino and Capranico, 1990; Zunino et al., 1975). While there are many possible mechanisms of action of doxorubicin, its precise activities at clinically relevant drug concentrations are not well defined.

    • Hsp27, Hsp70 and mismatch repair proteins hMLH1 and hMSH2 expression in peripheral blood lymphocytes from healthy subjects and cancer patients

      2007, Cancer Letters
      Citation Excerpt :

      The anticancer action of doxorubicin has been attributed to blocking of the catalytic cycle of topoisomerase II (stabilizing the covalent complex formed between topoisomerase and cleaved DNA) [14]. In addition, doxorubicin can also participate in redox reactions generating free radicals and crosslinks by the ability to intercalate the DNA [14,15]. Loss of either hMLH1 or hMSH2 results in resistance to doxorubicin in colorectal adenocarcinoma cells [9].

    View all citing articles on Scopus
    View full text