Differing specificities for 4-aminofolate analogues of folylpolyglutamyl synthetase from tumors and proliferative intestinal epithelium of the mouse with significance for selective antitumor action Journal Article


Authors: Rumberger, B. G.; Barrueco, J. R.; Sirotnak, F. M.
Article Title: Differing specificities for 4-aminofolate analogues of folylpolyglutamyl synthetase from tumors and proliferative intestinal epithelium of the mouse with significance for selective antitumor action
Abstract: Folylpolyglutamyl synthetase (FPGS), partially purified from murine LI 210 leukemia and Sarcoma 180 cells and the proliferative fraction of luminal epithelium from mouse small intestine (the site of limiting toxicity to folate analogues), was examined for its ability to utilize various 4-aminofolates as substrates. For tumor-derived FPGS, aminopterin was the most preferred substrate overall, exhibiting the lowest value for apparent Km and highest Vmax The other analogues and folic acid exhibited nearly 2-fold lower Vmax. Folic acid exhibited a 3-fold higher Km than aminopterin. Alkylation of aminopterin (methotrexate) or carbon for nitrogen substitution (10-deazaaminopterin) at N-10 increased Km 3- to 6-fold, while alkylation at C10 (10-ethyl-10-deazaaminopterin) restored Km to near equivalency with aminopterin. For FPGS derived from proliferative intestinal epithelium, aminopterin was also the preferred substrate, but the value for Vmax (derived with crude cell-free extract) was 6-fold lower than for tumor cell FPGS. Values for Vmax (derived with partially purified FPGS) for the other 4-aminofolate analogues and folic acid were similar (methotrexate) or 2-fold (10-ethyl-10-deazaaminopterin) and 5-fold (folic acid) lower than for aminopterin. The value for Km derived with aminopterin was similar to that derived for either tumor cell FPGS. The value for folic acid was 2-fold higher, and alkylation of aminopterin (methotrexate) or carbon to nitrogen substitution (10-deazaaminopterin) at N-10 with (10-ethyl-lO-deazaaminopterin) or without alkylation markedly increased Km (27-, 90-, and > 100-fold, respectively, for methotrexate, 10-ethyl-lO-deazaaminopterin, and 10-deazaaminopterin). In other studies, it was found that the diglutamate of aminopterin (aminopterin +G1) was a relatively poor substrate for FPGS derived from all three sources compared with methotrexate diglutamate, both in respect to values for Km and Vmax that were measured in each case. Findings with FPGS derived from LI 210 cells were confirmed by high-pressure liquid chromatography analysis of product formation during the reaction with the parent compounds. The significance of the results presented here to the question of relative toxicity and therapeutic activity of these analogues is discussed. © 1990, American Association for Cancer Research. All rights reserved.
Keywords: nonhuman; methotrexate; animal cell; mouse; animal; mice; animal experiment; antineoplastic activity; mice, inbred strains; kinetics; cell culture; substrate specificity; epithelium; folic acid antagonists; small intestine; intestine, small; aminopterin; muscle, smooth; peptide synthases; leukemia l1210; aminopterin derivative; priority journal; article; support, non-u.s. gov't; support, u.s. gov't, p.h.s.; leukemia l 1210; folylpolyglutamate synthase; sarcoma 180
Journal Title: Cancer Research
Volume: 50
Issue: 15
ISSN: 0008-5472
Publisher: American Association for Cancer Research  
Date Published: 1990-08-01
Start Page: 4639
End Page: 4643
Language: English
PUBMED: 2369741
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 27 January 2020 -- Source: Scopus
Citation Impact
MSK Authors
  1. Francis M Sirotnak
    184 Sirotnak