We have developed a simple system for determining the specific contribution of topoisomerase II targeting to the cytotoxic activity of a drug. We have constructed yeast strains that are permeable to anti-topoisomerase II drugs, carry a DNA repair mutation, rad52, and also have a temperature sensitive topoisomerase II mutation, top2-1. Strains carrying the top2-1 mutation have nearly normal topoisomerase II activity at 25 degrees C but less than 10% of wild type activity at 36 degrees C. We find that at a semi-permissive temperature (30 degrees C), there is sufficient topoisomerase II activity for viability; but since the topoisomerase II activity is greatly reduced, the cells are very resistant to anti-topoisomerase II drugs. Conversely, such cells are hypersensitive to the topoisomerase I inhibitor camptothecin. These results provide strong support for the model that drug stabilized DNA cleavage, rather than a lack of enzyme activity, is responsible for cell killing by eukaryotic anti-topoisomerase II agents. They also show that there is a minimum level of topoisomerase II activity in yeast that is consistent with viability but also allows a high degree of resistance to anti-topoisomerase II agents.

• PMID: 8380128
• PubMed
• PubTator

Reference Type

Comparative Study | Journal Article | Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't | Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

Authors

Nitiss JL, Liu YX, Hsiung Y

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