title: RNAi-mediated knockdown of aldehyde dehydrogenase class-1A1 and class-3A1 is specific and reveals that each contributes equally to the resistance against 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Aldehyde dehydrogenases class-1A1 (ALDH1A1) and class-3A1 (ALDH3A1) have been associated with resistance to cyclophosphamide (CP) and its derivatives. We have previously reported the downregulation of these enzymes by all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA).
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, we used siRNA duplexes as well as retrovirally expressed siRNA to knockdown one or both enzymes together in A549 lung cancer cell line in order to investigate the role of each one in mediating the resistance and the effect of the addition of ATRA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results show that significant and specific knockdown of each enzyme can be achieved and that each one contributes similarly to cell resistance to 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide (4-HC), an active derivative of CP. Added effects were seen when both enzymes were inhibited. The addition of ATRA also exhibited additional inhibitory effects on ALDH activity and increased 4-HC toxicity when added to single siRNA aimed at one of the enzymes. On the other hand, ATRA had minimal and insignificant additional inhibitory effects on ALDH enzyme activity when added to a combination of siRNAs against both enzymes, but still increased 4-HC toxicity beyond that seen with RNAi-mediated inhibition of both enzymes together.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that both enzymes, ALDH1A1 and ALDH3A1 will need to be blocked in order to achieve the highest sensitivity to 4-HC. Furthermore, ATRA increases 4-HC toxicity even when added to a combination of siRNAs against both enzymes, thus suggesting additional mechanisms by which ATRA can increase drug toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Florida, College of Medicine, 1600 SW Archer Road, Room R4-220, PO Box 100277, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA. morebjs@medicine.ufl.edu
authors.forename: Jan S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Moreb
authors.forename: Dagmara
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mohuczy
authors.forename: Dagmara
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Muhoczy
authors.forename: Blanca
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ostmark
authors.forename: James R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Zucali
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000444:Aldehyde Dehydrogenase / Q000235:genetics*; D000080924:Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 1 Family; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D017931:DNA Primers; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics; D034622:RNA Interference / Q000502:physiology*; D050697:Retinal Dehydrogenase; D012190:Retroviridae / Q000235:genetics; D013379:Substrate Specificity; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D017931:DNA Primers; D014212:Tretinoin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D000080924:Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 1 Family; C480021:ALDH3A1 protein, human; D000444:Aldehyde Dehydrogenase; C510223:ALDH1A1 protein, human; D050697:Retinal Dehydrogenase; C011272:perfosfamide