Effects of 6-aminonicotinamide on cell growth, poly(ADP-ribose) synthesis and nucleotide metabolism

Biochemical Pharmacology
|November 15, 1985
PubMed

Insights

6-aminonicotinamide inhibits cell growth by disrupting nucleotide metabolism, not solely by blocking poly(ADP-ribose) synthesis. This finding clarifies its cytotoxic mechanism in cancer research.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Poly(ADP-ribose) synthesis is a crucial cellular process involved in DNA repair and cell survival.
  • 6-aminonicotinamide (6-AN) is known to inhibit poly(ADP-ribose) synthesis, but its precise cytotoxic mechanisms are not fully understood.
  • 3-aminobenzamide (3-AB) is a well-established inhibitor of poly(ADP-ribose) synthesis used for comparison.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate whether the cytotoxic effects of 6-aminonicotinamide are exclusively due to the inhibition of poly(ADP-ribose) synthesis.
  • To compare the effects of 6-AN and 3-AB on cell growth, poly(ADP-ribose) synthesis, and nucleotide concentrations in L1210 and CHO cells.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of cell growth inhibition by 6-AN and 3-AB.
  • Measurement of poly(ADP-ribose) synthesis using NAD+ depletion assay induced by N-methyl N-nitrosourea.
  • Quantification of purine and pyrimidine ribonucleotide concentrations, NAD+, and ATP/ADP ratio.

Main Results:

  • 3-AB, a potent inhibitor of poly(ADP-ribose) synthesis, showed minimal inhibition of L1210 cell growth.
  • 6-AN significantly inhibited the growth of L1210 and CHO cells at low concentrations.
  • 6-AN caused a pronounced depletion of nucleotides and NAD+, and reduced the ATP/ADP ratio, indicating widespread metabolic disruption.

Conclusions:

  • Inhibition of poly(ADP-ribose) synthesis alone contributes minimally to growth inhibition.
  • The cytotoxic effects of 6-AN are primarily mediated by its profound impact on nucleotide metabolism.
  • Disruption of nucleotide metabolism by 6-AN is sufficient to inhibit both cell growth and DNA repair processes.

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