Thomas J. Curphey

Bio: Thomas J. Curphey is an academic researcher from Dartmouth College. The author has contributed to research in topics: Azaserine & Acinar cell. The author has an hindex of 26, co-authored 67 publications receiving 2215 citations. Previous affiliations of Thomas J. Curphey include Johns Hopkins University.

Thionation with the reagent combination of phosphorus pentasulfide and hexamethyldisiloxane.

Abstract: The combination of P4S10 and hexamethyldisiloxane efficiently converts esters, lactones, amides, lactams, and ketones to their corresponding thiono derivatives. In the presence of elemental sulfur, 3-oxoesters are converted to dithiolethiones by this reagent. Yields are comparable to or superior to those obtained with Lawesson's reagent. The method has the advantage that reagent-derived byproducts may be removed by a simple hydrolytic workup or by filtration through silica gel, rather than by chromatography, as required for Lawesson's reagent.

Isolation and growth characteristics of continuous cell lines from small-cell carcinoma of the lung

Abstract: Sixteen continuous tumor-cell cultures have been isolated from 91 tissue specimens from patients with small-cell carcinoma of the lung. Biopsy and autopsy specimens of primary and metastatic tumors have been utilized. The developing cell lines were recognized by proliferation of tumor cells in the culture from one to 14 weeks after explantation and have been maintained for up to four years. Primary lung tumor, bone marrow aspirations, pleural effusions and other metastases have all been productive explant material for the development of cell lines. Their human origin has been demonstrated by chromosome and/or isoenzyme analysis. Dense core vesicles, characteristically found in small-cell tumor cells were observed by electron microscopic examination of cultured cells. Growth rates in vitro have been measured and the in vitro cycle time in tumors of one cell line (DMS 79) has been compared with in vivo cycle time in tumors arising from DMS 79 cells in nude athymic mice.

Adenocarcinoma of the pancreas in azaserine-treated rats.

Abstract: Development of a model of carcinoma of the pancreas in rats was approached by attempting to identify chemicals that (a) behave as mutagens and (b) localize in the pancreas following systemic administration; and then to study the effects of long-term administration. Azaserine was selected because it behaves as a direct-acting mutagen in two bacterial test systems and because tissue distribution studies showed concentration especially in kidney and pancreas. Groups of rats have been given i.p. injections once or twice weekly for 6 months, and rats have been autopsied after 6 to 18 months. During the first year pancreases developed (a) nodules of atypical exocrine cells which seem to represent hyperplastic foci and (b) encapsulated adenomas. After 1 year most pancreases from treated rats are diffusely abnormal and contain many hyperplastic nodules and adenomas, while more than one-quarter have had pancreatic adenocarcimona. Metastases have been observed in lymph nodes, liver, and lung. No carcinomas or adenomas have been observed in control rats. No other organ shows as high an incidence of involvement as pancreas, but renal neoplasms were frequent. Studies with another chemical O-(N-methyl-N-nitroso-beta-alanyl)-L-serine, are at an earlier stage. The tissue distribution of radioactivity following injection of a 14C-labeled sample is similar to that of azaserine; however, this compound is not a direct-acting bacterial mutagen. Rats treated for 6 months twice weekly i.p. have a higher incidence of nodules of atypical acinar cells than did controls, although the number of nodules per rat is few. No adenomas or carcinomas have been found during 13 months of the study. We conclude that azaserine is a carcinogen in rats and causes major abnormalities of growth and differentiation of the exocrine pancreas, including adenocarcinoma in some rats. O-(N-Methyl-N-mitroso-beta-alanyl)-L-serine had less effect than azaserine on pancreatic growth and differentiation.

Regulation of phase 2 enzyme induction by oltipraz and other dithiolethiones

Abstract: 4-Methyl-5-pyrazinyl-3H-1,2-dithiole-3-thione (oltipraz) and several other dithiolethiones protect against the acute toxicities of many xenobiotics and are effective inhibitors of experimental carcinogenesis. These protective effects are mediated, in part, through elevation of glutathione S-transferase, NAD(P)H: quinone reductase and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase activities in the liver and other target tissues. The induction of these phase 2 enzymes by oltiprax results from enhanced transcription. In the present study, the molecular mechanisms of these inductions were analyzed utilizing a construct containing a 41 bp enhancer element derived from the 5'-upstream region of the mouse liver glutathione S-transferase Ya subunit gene ligated to the 5' end of the isolated promoter region of this gene, and inserted into a plasmid containing a human growth hormone reporter gene. When this construct was transfected into murine Hepa 1c1c7 hepatoma cells, the concentrations of 25 dithiolethiones and related analogs required to double growth hormone production were determined and spanned a range nearly three orders of magnitude. Concentrations of dithiolethiones required to double the specific activity of NAD(P)H: quinone reductase were also determined in Hepa 1c1c7 cells. There was a positive correlation (r = 0.78) between the potencies of the 21 active compounds as inducers of both NAD(P)H: quinone reductase activity and growth hormone production. Moreover, no dithiolethiones were inactive in only one system. It is probable, therefore, that the induction of NAD(P)H: quinone reductase and other phase 2 enzymes by oltipraz and other dithiolethiones is mediated entirely through the 41 bp enhancer element.

Role of nrf2 in oxidative stress and toxicity.

Abstract: Organismal life encounters reactive oxidants from internal metabolism and environmental toxicant exposure. Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species cause oxidative stress and are traditionally viewed as being harmful. On the other hand, controlled production of oxidants in normal cells serves useful purposes to regulate signaling pathways. Reactive oxidants are counterbalanced by complex antioxidant defense systems regulated by a web of pathways to ensure that the response to oxidants is adequate for the body's needs. A recurrent theme in oxidant signaling and antioxidant defense is reactive cysteine thiol–based redox signaling. The nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2) is an emerging regulator of cellular resistance to oxidants. Nrf2 controls the basal and induced expression of an array of antioxidant response element–dependent genes to regulate the physiological and pathophysiological outcomes of oxidant exposure. This review discusses the impact of Nrf2 on oxidative stress and toxicity and how...

The NCI60 human tumour cell line anticancer drug screen

Abstract: The US National Cancer Institute (NCI) 60 human tumour cell line anticancer drug screen (NCI60) was developed in the late 1980s as an in vitro drug-discovery tool intended to supplant the use of transplantable animal tumours in anticancer drug screening. This screening model was rapidly recognized as a rich source of information about the mechanisms of growth inhibition and tumour-cell kill. Recently, its role has changed to that of a service screen supporting the cancer research community. Here I review the development, use and productivity of the screen, highlighting several outcomes that have contributed to advances in cancer chemotherapy.

Cytochrome P450 and Chemical Toxicology

Abstract: The field of cytochrome P450 (P450) research has developed considerably over the past 20 years, and many important papers on the roles of P450s in chemical toxicology have appeared in Chemical Research in Toxicology. Today, our basic understanding of many of the human P450s is relatively well-established, in terms of the details of the individual genes, sequences, and basic catalytic mechanisms. Crystal structures of several of the major human P450s are now in hand. The animal P450s are still important in the context of metabolism and safety testing. Many well-defined examples exist for roles of P450s in decreasing the adverse effects of drugs through biotransformation, and an equally interesting field of investigation is the bioactivation of chemicals, including drugs. Unresolved problems include the characterization of the minor “orphan” P450s, ligand cooperativity and kinetic complexity of several P450s, the prediction of metabolism, the overall contribution of bioactivation to drug idiosyncratic probl...

Distinct Cysteine Residues in Keap1 Are Required for Keap1-Dependent Ubiquitination of Nrf2 and for Stabilization of Nrf2 by Chemopreventive Agents and Oxidative Stress

Abstract: A common feature of diverse chemopreventive agents is the ability to activate expression of a genetic program that protects cells from reactive chemical species that, if left unchecked, would cause mutagenic DNA damage. The bZIP transcription factor Nrf2 has emerged as a key regulator of this cancer-preventive genetic program. Nrf2 is normally sequestered in the cytoplasm by a protein known as Keap1. Chemopreventive agents allow Nrf2 to escape from Keap1-mediated repression, although the molecular mechanism(s) responsible for activation of Nrf2 is not understood. In this report, we demonstrate that Keap1 does not passively sequester Nrf2 in the cytoplasm but actively targets Nrf2 for ubiquitination and degradation by the proteosome under basal culture conditions. We have identified two critical cysteine residues in Keap1, C273 and C288, that are required for Keap1-dependent ubiquitination of Nrf2. Both sulforaphane, a chemopreventive isothiocyanate, and oxidative stress enable Nrf2 to escape Keap1-dependent degradation, leading to stabilization of Nrf2, increased nuclear localization of Nrf2, and activation of Nrf2-dependent cancer-protective genes. We have identified a third cysteine residue in Keap1, C151, that is uniquely required for inhibition of Keap1-dependent degradation of Nrf2 by sulforaphane and oxidative stress. This cysteine residue is also required for a novel posttranslational modification to Keap1 that is induced by oxidative stress. We propose that Keap1 is a component of a novel E3 ubiquitin ligase complex that is specifically targeted for inhibition by both chemopreventive agents and oxidative stress.

Tobacco carcinogens, their biomarkers and tobacco-induced cancer.

Abstract: The devastating link between tobacco products and human cancers results from a powerful alliance of two factors - nicotine and carcinogens. Without either one of these, tobacco would be just another commodity, instead of being the single greatest cause of death due to preventable cancer. Nicotine is addictive and toxic, but it is not carcinogenic. This addiction, however, causes people to use tobacco products continually, and these products contain many carcinogens. What are the mechanisms by which this deadly combination leads to 30% of cancer-related deaths in developed countries, and how can carcinogen biomarkers help to reveal these mechanisms?