Abstract
Purpose: Inhibition of the function of Bcl-2 protein has been postulated to sensitize cells to cytotoxic chemotherapy. G3139 (Genasense) is a phosphorothioate anti-Bcl-2 antisense oligonucleotide, but its mechanism of action is uncertain. The aim of the present work is to investigate inhibition of Bcl-2 expression in 518A2 melanoma cells, the cell line on which recent phase II and phase III clinical trials employing this agent were based. Experimental Design: We down-regulated the expression of Bcl-2 protein by two different strategies in these cells: one employing G3139 and controls, and the other using a small interfering RNA approach. Cell viability after treatment with oligonucleotides or small interfering RNA and cytotoxic agents including gemcitibine, DDP, docetaxel, and thapsigargin was measured by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. A 518A2 melanoma cell line stably overexpressing Bcl-2 protein was constructed and treated with either these cytotoxic agents or G3139. Results: The cytotoxic effects of either G3139 or small interfering RNA treatment of 518A2 melanoma cells are Bcl-2 independent. In addition, in the Bcl-2-overexpressing cells, only a modest increment in chemoresistance was observed, and treatment with G3139 not only did not down-regulate Bcl-2 expression but produced essentially identical toxicity as was observed in the wild-type or mock-transfected cells. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the mechanism whereby G3139 produces drug-induced cytotoxicity in the 518A2 melanoma line is not dependent on levels of Bcl-2. These findings emphasize the nonsequence specific effects of this phosphorothioate oligonucleotide and call into question the validity of Bcl-2 as a target in this cell line.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 8371-8379 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Clinical Cancer Research |
Volume | 10 |
Issue number | 24 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 15 2004 |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Cancer Research
- Oncology
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Relative Bcl-2 independence of drug-induced cytotoxicity and resistance in 518A2 melanoma cells. / Benimetskaya, Luba; Lai, Johnathan C.; Khvorova, Anastasia; Wu, Sijian; Hua, Emily; Miller, Paul; Zhang, Li Ming; Stein, Cy A.
In: Clinical Cancer Research, Vol. 10, No. 24, 15.12.2004, p. 8371-8379.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Relative Bcl-2 independence of drug-induced cytotoxicity and resistance in 518A2 melanoma cells
AU - Benimetskaya, Luba
AU - Lai, Johnathan C.
AU - Khvorova, Anastasia
AU - Wu, Sijian
AU - Hua, Emily
AU - Miller, Paul
AU - Zhang, Li Ming
AU - Stein, Cy A.
PY - 2004/12/15
Y1 - 2004/12/15
N2 - Purpose: Inhibition of the function of Bcl-2 protein has been postulated to sensitize cells to cytotoxic chemotherapy. G3139 (Genasense) is a phosphorothioate anti-Bcl-2 antisense oligonucleotide, but its mechanism of action is uncertain. The aim of the present work is to investigate inhibition of Bcl-2 expression in 518A2 melanoma cells, the cell line on which recent phase II and phase III clinical trials employing this agent were based. Experimental Design: We down-regulated the expression of Bcl-2 protein by two different strategies in these cells: one employing G3139 and controls, and the other using a small interfering RNA approach. Cell viability after treatment with oligonucleotides or small interfering RNA and cytotoxic agents including gemcitibine, DDP, docetaxel, and thapsigargin was measured by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. A 518A2 melanoma cell line stably overexpressing Bcl-2 protein was constructed and treated with either these cytotoxic agents or G3139. Results: The cytotoxic effects of either G3139 or small interfering RNA treatment of 518A2 melanoma cells are Bcl-2 independent. In addition, in the Bcl-2-overexpressing cells, only a modest increment in chemoresistance was observed, and treatment with G3139 not only did not down-regulate Bcl-2 expression but produced essentially identical toxicity as was observed in the wild-type or mock-transfected cells. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the mechanism whereby G3139 produces drug-induced cytotoxicity in the 518A2 melanoma line is not dependent on levels of Bcl-2. These findings emphasize the nonsequence specific effects of this phosphorothioate oligonucleotide and call into question the validity of Bcl-2 as a target in this cell line.
AB - Purpose: Inhibition of the function of Bcl-2 protein has been postulated to sensitize cells to cytotoxic chemotherapy. G3139 (Genasense) is a phosphorothioate anti-Bcl-2 antisense oligonucleotide, but its mechanism of action is uncertain. The aim of the present work is to investigate inhibition of Bcl-2 expression in 518A2 melanoma cells, the cell line on which recent phase II and phase III clinical trials employing this agent were based. Experimental Design: We down-regulated the expression of Bcl-2 protein by two different strategies in these cells: one employing G3139 and controls, and the other using a small interfering RNA approach. Cell viability after treatment with oligonucleotides or small interfering RNA and cytotoxic agents including gemcitibine, DDP, docetaxel, and thapsigargin was measured by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. A 518A2 melanoma cell line stably overexpressing Bcl-2 protein was constructed and treated with either these cytotoxic agents or G3139. Results: The cytotoxic effects of either G3139 or small interfering RNA treatment of 518A2 melanoma cells are Bcl-2 independent. In addition, in the Bcl-2-overexpressing cells, only a modest increment in chemoresistance was observed, and treatment with G3139 not only did not down-regulate Bcl-2 expression but produced essentially identical toxicity as was observed in the wild-type or mock-transfected cells. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the mechanism whereby G3139 produces drug-induced cytotoxicity in the 518A2 melanoma line is not dependent on levels of Bcl-2. These findings emphasize the nonsequence specific effects of this phosphorothioate oligonucleotide and call into question the validity of Bcl-2 as a target in this cell line.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=11144220793&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=11144220793&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-04-1294
DO - 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-04-1294
M3 - Article
C2 - 15623615
AN - SCOPUS:11144220793
VL - 10
SP - 8371
EP - 8379
JO - Clinical Cancer Research
JF - Clinical Cancer Research
SN - 1078-0432
IS - 24
ER -