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We reported previously that L-methioninase targeted to the urokinase receptor of MCF-7 breast cancer cells is significantly more effective in inhibiting cell proliferation and migration than free L-methioninase both in vitro and in vivo. L-methioninase was targeted by linking at its amino terminus to an amino-terminal fragment (ATF) of urokinase. The ATF was selected for targeting because is has previously been shown not to internalize within the cells. The present study was designed to determine the effectiveness of targeting L-methioninase to a cancer cell receptor that is internalizing in comparison with ATF-methioninase, which does not internalize. Transforming growth factor-[alpha] (TGF-[alpha]) was selected for targeting to the epidermal growth factor receptor which is overexpressed in numerous cancer cell lines and is an internalizing receptor. Two fusion proteins, ATF-methioninase and TGF-methioninase (TGF-a linked to the amino terminus of L-methioninase), were produced by recombinant methods and purified. In an in vitro culture wounding assay over 3 days to measure cell proliferation and migration of MCF-7 breast cancer cells and PC-3 prostate cancer cells, both fusion proteins inhibited the proliferation and migration of both cancer cell lines. However, the inhibition was significantly greater for ATF-methioninase compared to TGF-methioninase, especially at treatment days 2 and 3. These results indicate that, for a fixed dosage of the fusion protein, it is more advantageous to have L-methioinase bind to a receptor and remain externalized, rather than to bind to a receptor which leads to internalization of L-methioninase. Further, it may be advantageous to target other anticancer agents to the urokinase receptor on the cancer cell surface by means of the amino-terminal fragment of urokinase. Key words: Breast cancer, prostate cancer, L-methioninase, transforming growth factor-a, urokinase amino-terminal fragment, INTRODUCTION Methionine-dependence is a metabolic defect of cancer cells that is under investigation for the treatment of cancer. Many cancer cell lines have been found to have this defect [1]. [...]

A method for the non-covalent attachment of proteins to single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) is described. In this method, the protein is adsorbed to SWNTs that are suspended using sodium cholate, a surfactant and bile salt. The sodium cholate is then removed by dialysis with retention of the protein on the SWNTs. This method has resulted in good protein loadings and good retention of protein activity.

Background: Previously, we reported that a novel fusion protein consisting of an amino-terminal fragment of urokinase linked to the amino terminus of the enzyme L-methioninase inhibited MCF-7 breast cancer cells in vitro to a greater extent than treatment with L-methioninase., Materials and Methods: The fusion protein, L-methioninase and a mutated fusion protein without L-methioninase activity were produced by recombinant methods. The effects of fusion protein, L-methioninase, and mutated fusion protein treatment on the proliferation and motility of SK-LU-i lung and PC-3 prostate and cancer cells were measured in vitro using a culture wounding assay., Results: The fusion protein produced a dose-dependent inhibition of the proliferation and motility of both cancer cell lines. In addition, the fusion protein was found to be significantly more effective than L-methioninase alone or mutated fusion protein., Conclusion: Our results suggest that this fusion protein has potential as a selective therapeutic agent for the treatment of various methionine-dependent cancers.

Background: We previously reported that a novel fusion protein (consisting of an amino-terminal fragment of urokinase which binds to the urokinase receptor, and L-methioninase which depletes methionine and arrests the growth of methionine-dependent tumors) inhibited MCF-7 breast cancer cells in vitro., Materials and Methods: We produced this fusion protein, L-methioninase, and a mutated fusion protein without L-methioninase activity by recombinant methods. MCF-7 cell proliferation and mobility were measured in vitro in a culture wounding assay. Protein binding to MCF-7 cells was measured by immunocytochemical localization. MCF-7 tumor xenograft growth was measured in nude mice., Results: The fusion protein was significantly more effective than L-methioninase in either the in vitro or in vivo assays. The binding assay showed that the unmutated and mutated fusion protein bound to the cells, but L-methioninase did not., Conclusion: Our results suggest that this fusion protein has potential as a therapeutic agent for cancer treatment.