Cellular response to efficient dUTPase RNAi silencing in stable HeLa cell lines perturbs expression levels of genes involved in thymidylate metabolism

Nucleosides Nucleotides Nucleic Acids. 2011 Jun;30(6):369-90. doi: 10.1080/15257770.2011.582849.

Abstract

dUTPase is involved in preserving DNA integrity in cells. We report an efficient dUTPase silencing by RNAi-based system in stable human cell line. Repression of dUTPase induced specific expression level increments for thymidylate kinase and thymidine kinase, and also an increased sensitization to 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine and 5-fluoro-uracil. The catalytic mechanism of dUTPase was investigated for 5-fluoro-dUTP. The 5F-substitution on the uracil ring of the substrate did not change the kinetic mechanism of dUTP hydrolysis by dUTPase. Results indicate that RNAi silencing of dUTPase induces a complex cellular response wherein sensitivity towards fluoropyrimidines and gene expression levels of related enzymes are both modulated.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Floxuridine / metabolism
  • Fluorouracil / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Nucleoside-Phosphate Kinase / genetics*
  • Nucleoside-Phosphate Kinase / metabolism
  • Pyrophosphatases / genetics*
  • Pyrophosphatases / metabolism
  • RNA Interference*
  • Thymidine Kinase / genetics*
  • Thymidine Kinase / metabolism

Substances

  • Floxuridine
  • Thymidine Kinase
  • Nucleoside-Phosphate Kinase
  • dTMP kinase
  • Pyrophosphatases
  • dUTP pyrophosphatase
  • Fluorouracil