Mild folate deficiency induces genetic and epigenetic instability and phenotype changes in prostate cancer cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Folate (vitamin B9) is essential for cellular proliferation as it is involved in the biosynthesis of deoxythymidine monophosphate (dTMP) and s-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet). The link between folate depletion and the genesis and progression of cancers of epithelial origin is of high clinical relevance, but still unclear. We recently demonstrated that sensitivity to low folate availability is affected by the rate of polyamine biosynthesis, which is prominent in prostate cells. We, therefore, hypothesized that prostate cells might be highly susceptible to genetic, epigenetic and phenotypic changes consequent to folate restriction.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We studied the consequences of long-term, mild folate depletion in a model comprised of three syngenic cell lines derived from the transgenic adenoma of the mouse prostate (TRAMP) model, recapitulating different stages of prostate cancer; benign, transformed and metastatic. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis demonstrated that mild folate depletion (100 nM) sufficed to induce imbalance in both the nucleotide and AdoMet pools in all prostate cell lines. Random oligonucleotide-primed synthesis (ROPS) revealed a significant increase in uracil misincorporation and DNA single strand breaks, while spectral karyotype analysis (SKY) identified five novel chromosomal rearrangements in cells grown with mild folate depletion. Using global approaches, we identified an increase in CpG island and histone methylation upon folate depletion despite unchanged levels of total 5-methylcytosine, indicating a broad effect of folate depletion on epigenetic regulation. These genomic changes coincided with phenotype changes in the prostate cells including increased anchorage-independent growth and reduced sensitivity to folate depletion.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study demonstrates that prostate cells are highly susceptible to genetic and epigenetic changes consequent to mild folate depletion as compared to cells grown with supraphysiological amounts of folate (2 μM) routinely used in tissue culture. In addition, we elucidate for the first time the contribution of these aspects to consequent phenotype changes in epithelial cells. These results provide a strong rationale for studying the effects of folate manipulation on the prostate <it>in vivo</it>, where cells might be more sensitive to changes in folate status resulting from folate supplementation or antifolate therapeutic approaches.</p

Effect of spermine and cyclohexylamine on in vitro pollen germination and tube growth in Helianthus annuus

Naturally occurring polyamines (PA) are known to play a key role in growth and development of plants and animals. However, the role of these polycations in the development and germination of the pollen grain is not well understood. The effect of different concentrations of spermine (Spm) on pollen tube growth in Helianthus annuus was investigated. Spermine treatments in the 10(-7) to 10(-5) M range stimulated pollen tube growth starting in the first 15 min of the incubation period, while 10(-4) M Spm treatment resulted in inhibition of pollen tube elongation. The effect of cyclohexylamine (CHA), an inhibitor of Spm synthesis on pollen tube growth and germination percentage was also studied. Cyclohexylamine in the 0.5 x 10(-3) M to the 1.5 x 10(-3) M range inhibited pollen tube elongation. The relationship of B deficiency, excess B and PA effect on pollen germination and pollen tube growth were also investigated

Raman micro-spectroscopic investigation of the interaction of cultured HCT116 colon cancer cells with alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), an irreversible inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase

The interaction of cultured colon cancer cells with alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), an irreversible inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase, has been investigated, using Raman micro-spectroscopy, in order to investigate DFMO induced effects. Raman spectra of the cultured HCT116 colon cancer cells treated with DFMO at different concentrations (0, 1, 2.5, 5, and 7.5 mM) were recorded in the range 550-2300 cm(-1). It has been shown that second derivative profile of the raw Raman spectrum of the colon cancer cells (i.e., the original experimental spectrum without any computational corrections) discriminates the weak but sharp bands from the strong, broad fluorescence background, and gives information about the position of the peaks and their band widths. The relative integrated intensities of the 781 cm(-1) and 788 cm(-1) DNA/RNA marker bands to that of 1451 cm(-1) band are found to decrease by addition of DFMO. Up to 65% reduction in the magnitude of the 1003 cm(-1) band, the characteristic phenylalanine ring breathing mode, in comparison 10 that of 1451 band, is observed. The results indicate DFMO induced apoptosis. On the other hand the intensity ratio of the tyrosine Fermi doubled around 830 cm(-1) and 850 cm(-1), which is a marker of hydrogen-bonding state of phenolic OH, is changed. The addition of DFMO may alter the tyrosine environment in cells, and parts of tyrosine residues are exposed. We also observed some modifications in amide I band, pointing out the alterations of the secondary structure of cell proteins by the presence of DFMO. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Raman micro-spectroscopic analysis of cultured HCT116 colon cancer cells in the presence of roscovitine

Raman micro-spectroscopic analysis of cultured HCT116 colon cancer cells in the presence of roscovitine, [seliciclib, 2-(1-ethyl-2-hydroxy-ethylamino)-6-benzylamino-9-isopropylpurine], a promising drug candidate in cancer therapy, has been performed for the first time. The aim of this study was to investigate modulations in colon cancer cells induced by roscovitine. Raman spectra of the cultured HCT116 colon cancer cells treated with roscovitine at different concentrations (0,5,10, 25 and 50 mu M) were recorded in the range 400-1850 cm(-1). It was shown that the second derivative profile of the experimental spectrum gives valuable information about the wavenumbers and band widths of the vibrational modes of cell components, and it eliminates the appearance of false peaks arising from incorrect baseline corrections. In samples containing roscovitine, significant spectral changes were observed in the intensities of characteristic protein and DNA bands, which indicate roscovitine-induced apoptosis. Roscovitine-induced apoptosis was also assessed by flow cytometry analysis, and analysis of propidium iodide staining. We observed some modifications in amide I and III bands, which arise from alterations in the secondary structure of cell proteins caused by the presence of roscovitine. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved