The aim of the proposed research is to study the chemotherapy of cancer at the level of gene transcription. To achieve this goal RNA prolymerase and its initiation factor will be purified from chicken myeloblastosis leukemic cells to homogeneity. The purified enzymes from leukemic as well as normal cells will be studies with regard to their properties, functions, subunit structures and reconstitution, and produce RNA analysis. This is expected to provide further evidence for a leukemic-specific RNA polymerase. The purified RNA polymerase initiation factor will be studied to determine its properties, physiological functions and the mechanism by which it stimulates the initiation of RNA synthesis. Attempts will also be made to determine its activity in other normal and malignant cells (normal chicken myeloblast cells, avian myeloblastosis viral nonproducer cell line, human leukemic and human lymphoma cell lines). These studies will reveal whether the factor is specific for the gene expression of cancerous growth or it is universally required for the RNA synthesis of eukaryotic cells. Concurrently several currently used and newer experimental antineoiplastic agents will be studied for their inhibitory effects on neoplastic gene transcription. The agents used in this proposal include adriamycin and 6-mercaptopurine and their derivative (AD 32, AD 41, AD 143, and methylated mercaptopurines). The ultimate goal of the proposed research is to determine if it is possible to arrest neoplastic expression of cancer cells at transcriptional level by selectively inhibiting the activity of malignant RNA polymerase (or its regulatory factor) without affecting the normal enzyme.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Modified Research Career Development Award (K04)
Project #
5K04CA000920-03
Application #
3071514
Study Section
Experimental Therapeutics Subcommittee 2 (ET)
Project Start
1984-04-25
Project End
1989-03-31
Budget Start
1986-04-01
Budget End
1987-03-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
1986
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California Davis
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
094878337
City
Davis
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
95618
O'Leary, K A; Kasper, C B (2000) Molecular basis for cell-specific regulation of the NADPH-cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase gene. Arch Biochem Biophys 379:97-108
Shen, A L; Kasper, C B (2000) Differential contributions of NADPH-cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase FAD binding site residues to flavin binding and catalysis. J Biol Chem 275:41087-91
Huss, J M; Wang, S I; Kasper, C B (1999) Differential glucocorticoid responses of CYP3A23 and CYP3A2 are mediated by selective binding of orphan nuclear receptors. Arch Biochem Biophys 372:321-32
Shen, A L; Sem, D S; Kasper, C B (1999) Mechanistic studies on the reductive half-reaction of NADPH-cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase. J Biol Chem 274:5391-8
Huss, J M; Kasper, C B (1998) Nuclear receptor involvement in the regulation of rat cytochrome P450 3A23 expression. J Biol Chem 273:16155-62
Shen, A L; Kasper, C B (1996) Role of Ser457 of NADPH-cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase in catalysis and control of FAD oxidation-reduction potential. Biochemistry 35:9451-9
Huss, J M; Wang, S I; Astrom, A et al. (1996) Dexamethasone responsiveness of a major glucocorticoid-inducible CYP3A gene is mediated by elements unrelated to a glucocorticoid receptor binding motif. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 93:4666-70
Shen, A L; Kasper, C B (1995) Role of acidic residues in the interaction of NADPH-cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase with cytochrome P450 and cytochrome c. J Biol Chem 270:27475-80
Sem, D S; Kasper, C B (1995) Effect of ionic strength on the kinetic mechanism and relative rate limitation of steps in the model NADPH-cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase reaction with cytochrome c. Biochemistry 34:12768-74
Sem, D S; Kasper, C B (1994) Kinetic mechanism for the model reaction of NADPH-cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase with cytochrome c. Biochemistry 33:12012-21

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