title: Nitrogen mustard interference with potassium transport systems in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells.
abstract: Nitrogen mustard (N-mustard) inhibits the ouabain-sensitive and the furosemide-sensitive Rb uptake of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells, whereas the transport, which is resistant to both inhibitors, is not affected by the alkylating agent. At N-mustard concentrations below 10 microM, the reduction in Rb uptake is predominantly due to an interference with the furosemide-sensitive system. The dose response curve for the inhibition by N-mustard of the furosemide-sensitive Rb uptake closely parallels the dose response curve for the anti-tumor activity of the alkylating drug. This is in contrast to the behaviour of the ouabain-sensitive Rb transport. The inhibition of the furosemide-sensitive Rb uptake is expressed much less in cells which are resistant to N-mustard. The recovery of the furosemide-sensitive transport system after a single exposure to N-mustard is relatively slow and characterized by an initial 4 h lag period, whereas the repair of DNA-interstrand cross-links starts immediately after removal of the drug. At mM concentrations furosemide blocks the multiplication of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. However, lower concentrations of furosemide which cause a 50% reduction in the furosemide-sensitive Rb uptake do not interfere with cell proliferation. This is in contrast to the behaviour of N-mustard which exerts a clear-cut depression of cell growth at concentrations leading to a 50% inhibition of the furosemide-sensitive Rb transport. It is concluded, therefore, that the inhibition of the furosemide-sensitive system alone is not sufficient to explain the anti-tumor activity of the alkylating agent. The effect is discussed as part of a more extended N-mustard-induced membrane alteration which may be important for the growth inhibitory effect of the alkylating agent.
mesh_terms: D000477:Alkylating Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001692:Biological Transport / Q000187:drug effects; D002286:Carcinoma, Ehrlich Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000494:pharmacology; D005665:Furosemide / Q000494:pharmacology; D009588:Nitrogen Mustard Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism*; D012413:Rubidium / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000477:Alkylating Agents; D009588:Nitrogen Mustard Compounds; D005665:Furosemide; D004317:Doxorubicin; D012413:Rubidium; D011188:Potassium