Increased DT-diaphorase activity in transformed and tumorigenic pancreatic acinar cells

• Published in: Cancer letters 1995-09, Vol.96 (1), p.9-14
• Main Authors: Hammons, G.J., Warren, G.J., Blann, E., Nichols, J., Lyn-Cook, B.D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal tumors. Experimental tumors; Animals; Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic - pharmacology; Azacitidine - pharmacology; Biological and medical sciences; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic - metabolism; Cells, Cultured; DT-Diaphorase; Experimental digestive system and abdominal tumors; Genes, ras; In Vitro Techniques; Medical sciences; Methylation; NAD(P)H Dehydrogenase (Quinone) - metabolism; NADH Dehydrogenase - metabolism; Pancreatic acinar cells; Pancreatic Neoplasms - metabolism; Rats; Rats, Inbred F344; Transformation; Tumors
• ISSN: 0304-3835; 1872-7980
• DOI: 10.1016/0304-3835(95)03911-F

Pancreatic acinar cells from rats treated in vitro with 5-azacytidine and/or transfected with an activated c-H-ras demonstrated transformation and tumorigenic phenotypes. DT-diaphorase (NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase) activity was determined in these non-tumorigenic (3AP) and tumorigenic cells (T3AP and T5AM). T5AM cells were those treated with 5-azacytidine and further treated with N′-methyl- N′-nitro-nitrosoguanidine. Higher levels of enzyme activity were found in transformed cells when compared to that in control cells (> 15-fold, 3AP cells; >40-fold, T3AP cells; >20-fold T5AM cells). In contrast, NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activity was decreased in transformed cells (>10-fold, 3AP cells; >20-fold, T3AP cells; >10-fold, T5AM cells). These studies demonstrated that pancreatic acinar cells are capable of undergoing alterations in enzyme activity patterns when transformed and that DT-diaphorase may be a good marker for malignant transformation.