Thiol protease-specific inhibitor E-64 arrests human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells at mitotic metaphase.
E-64-d (ethyl (2S, 3S)-3-[(S)-3-methyl-1-(3-methylbutylcarbamoyl) butylcarbamoyl]oxirane-2-carboxylate), a membrane-permeant derivative of the thiol protease-specific inhibitor E-64, was found to arrest human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells at mitotic metaphase. This effect was dose-dependent with a threshold of 20 micrograms/ml in chemically defined culture medium. Cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry showed that the relative proportion of the G2/M population increased 2.5-fold after treatment of the cells with E-64 (100 micrograms/ml) for 5 hr. In addition, time-lapse video analysis showed that E-64-treated cells remained at metaphase for an extended period after rounding-up, whereas untreated cells completed mitosis within 42.0 +/- 5.7 min. Some treated cells were able to complete mitosis, while others did not do so within the limits of our observation. As an approach to the molecular basis of this phenomenon, we have shown that several cellular proteins can be labeled by incubation of cells with radioactive E-64-d.
Mitsubishi-Kasei Institute of Life Sciences, Tokyo, Japan.
Y
Y
Shoji-Kasai
M
M
Senshu
S
S
Iwashita
K
K
Imahori
D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; D002460:Cell Line; D004261:DNA Replication / Q000187:drug effects; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D008677:Metaphase / Q000187:drug effects*; D008938:Mitosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D011480:Protease Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*
D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D011480:Protease Inhibitors