Abstract
The role of glutathione (GSH) in resistance to cisplatin (CDDP) was studied in a human small cell lung carcinoma cell line (GLC4) and a CDDP-resistant subline (GLC4-CDDP). In addition to studying the steady state of GSH, the kinetics of this defence system were also studied via the monitoring of the GSH status of the cells under continuous pressure of CDDP. GLC4-CDDP maintained its elevated GSH level whereas GLC4 (under pressure of CDDP) quickly synthesised GSH to about twice its initial level, corresponding with 80% of the GSH level of GLC4-CDDP. D,L-buthionine-S,R-sulphoximine (BSO) was used to analyse the role of GSH in resistance to CDDP. Pretreatment with BSO (48 h, 50 microM, GSH not detectable) increased the CDDP-induced cytotoxicity 2.8-fold in GLC4-CDDP and 1.7-fold in GLC4. In GLC4 no changes in the amount of platinum (Pt) bound to DNA could be observed after GSH depletion. Changes in formation of interstrand cross-links or the main Pt-containing intrastrand cross-link in digested DNA, the Pt-GG adduct, were also not observed. In GSH depleted GLC4-CDDP cells, an increase in the amount of Pt bound to DNA and in the Pt-GG adduct was observed. Pretreatment with BSO substantially reduced the repair of Pt bound to DNA in both cell lines. We conclude that an increased GSH level and GSH synthesis capacity were demonstrated in CDDP resistant cells. The observations after BSO treatment suggest two roles for GSH in CDDP resistance, namely that of a cytosolic elimination resulting in less DNA platination and a nuclear effect on the formation and repair of DNA platinum adducts.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 24 print issues and online access
$259.00 per year
only $10.79 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Meijer, C., Mulder, N., Hospers, G. et al. The role of glutathione in resistance to cisplatin in a human small cell lung cancer cell line. Br J Cancer 62, 72–77 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1038/bjc.1990.232
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/bjc.1990.232
This article is cited by
-
Selective poisoning of Ctnnb1-mutated hepatoma cells in mouse liver tumors by a single application of acetaminophen
Archives of Toxicology (2013)
-
Expression of apoptosis-related proteins and morphological changes in a rat tumor model of human small cell lung cancer prior to and after treatment with radiotherapy, carboplatin, or combined treatment
Virchows Archiv (2003)
-
The role of methoxymorpholino anthracycline and cyanomorpholino anthracycline in a sensitive small-cell lung-cancer cell line and its multidrug-resistant butP-glycoprotein-negative and cisplatin-resistant counterparts
Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology (1995)
-
Correlation of the in vitro cytotoxicity of ethyldeshydroxysparsomycin and cisplatin with the in vivo antitumour activity in murine L1210 leukaemia and two resistant L1210 sublcones
Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology (1993)
-
Transient cisplatin-resistant murine fibrosarcoma cell characterized by increased metallothionein content
Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology (1993)