The influence of bisnaphthalimidopropyl polyamines on DNA instability and repair in Caco-2 colon epithelial cells

Cell Biol Toxicol. 2011 Dec;27(6):455-63. doi: 10.1007/s10565-011-9199-1. Epub 2011 Aug 13.

Abstract

Bisnaphthalimido compounds bis-intercalate to DNA via the major groove and are potentially potent cancer therapeutics. Previously, we incorporated natural polyamines as linkers connecting the two naphthalimido ring moieties to create a series of soluble bisnaphthalimidopropyl polyamines (BNIPPs). Here, extending earlier work on bisnaphthalimidopropylspermidine (BNIPSpd)-induced apoptosis in colon adenocarcinoma Caco-2 cells, we compare the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of BNIPSpd relative to the spermine and oxaspermine derivatives, bisnaphthalimidopropylspermine (BNIPSpm) and bisnaphthalimidopropyloxaspermine (BNIPOSpm). The order of cytotoxicity after 24 h was BNIPSpd (IC(50) = 0.47 μM) > BNIPSpm (IC(50) = 10.04 μM) > BNIPOSpm (IC(50) >50 μM). After a 72-h BNIPOSpm exposure, an IC(50) = 10.25 μM was achieved. With 4-h exposure to BNIPSpd or BNIPSpm or 12-h exposure to BNIPOSpm, concentrations ≥1 μM induced a significant dose-dependent increase in DNA damage as measured by alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis. The longer incubation times required for BNIPOSpm to induce DNA strand breaks reflect a slower rate of BNIPOSpm cellular distribution as monitored via BNIPP fluorescence within the cells. Moreover, exposure to a non-genotoxic concentration of BNIPSpd, BNIPSpm (0.1 μM for 4 h) or BNIPOSpm (0.1 μM for 12 h) induced a significant decrease in repair of oxidative DNA damage induced by hydrogen peroxide. In conclusion, BNIPP exposure in Caco-2 cells is associated with significant induction of DNA damage and inhibition of DNA repair at non-genotoxic concentrations. The latter is a novel consequence of BNIPP-cell interactions which adds to the spectrum of therapeutically relevant activities that may be exploited for the design and development of naphthalimide-based therapeutics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / drug therapy*
  • Adenocarcinoma / metabolism
  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Caco-2 Cells
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Colonic Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Colonic Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Colonic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Comet Assay
  • DNA / metabolism
  • DNA Damage / drug effects*
  • DNA Repair / drug effects*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen Peroxide / adverse effects
  • Hydrogen Peroxide / pharmacology
  • Inhibitory Concentration 50
  • Intercalating Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Intercalating Agents / pharmacology*
  • Naphthalimides / chemical synthesis
  • Naphthalimides / pharmacology*
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Quinolones / chemical synthesis
  • Quinolones / pharmacology*
  • Spermine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Spermine / chemical synthesis
  • Spermine / pharmacology

Substances

  • Intercalating Agents
  • Naphthalimides
  • Quinolones
  • bisnaphthalimidopropyl spermine
  • Spermine
  • DNA
  • Hydrogen Peroxide