Here in the Rice lab we are interested in how enzymes are involved in the onset and treatment of cancer. We are currently studying the mechanisms of action of a novel anticancer compound called Laromustine (formerly Cloretazine). This agent is currently in clinical trials towards the treatment of acute myelogenous leukemia and glioblastoma multiforme. Laromustine is a prodrug, which when activated in the cell yields two reactive compounds: a chloroethylating species and methyl isocyanate. The chloroethylating species ultimately forms cytotoxic, interstrand DNA crosslinks. Methyl isocyanate possesses carbamoylating activity that synergizes with DNA damage generated by the chloroethylating activity. Known to react preferentially with sulfhydryl groups, methyl isocyanate can modify cysteine residues in the active sites of enzymes and affect their activity. We are interested in several enzymes as targets likely to be modified with a carbamoyl group from methyl isocyanate, specifically those involved in DNA metabolism.
The activation of Laromustine
We are especially interested in the enzymes of base excision repair such as DNA polymerase ß, DNA Ligase III, and AP endonuclease
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Data from our most recent paper showing that Laromustine (closed circles) inhibits DNA polymerase ß. This inhibition only was observed using carbamoylating molecules (also, squares and triangles) and not with the non-carbamoylating 90CE (open circles).
Abbie and Meg’s BBRC paper.
