Hyperthermia blocks reversibility of hydroxyurea and bipyridine induced synergistic inhibition of DNA biosynthesis in P388 murine leukemia cells.

The influence of hyperthermia (42 degrees C) on the reversibility of hydroxyurea- and the iron-chelator 2,2'-bipyridine-induced synergistic inhibition of DNA biosynthesis was studied in intact P388 murine lymphocytic leukemia cells in vitro. The cytotoxicity caused by hydroxyurea alone and in combination with bipyridine for 3 h at 37 degrees C and 42 degrees C was found to be completely reversible. However, the inhibition of DNA biosynthesis was irreversible when hydroxyurea- and iron-chelate-treated and washed cells at 37 degrees C were subjected to hyperthermia at 42 degrees C. A potentiation in DNA biosynthesis was also observed when the P388 cells were subjected to hyperthermia along with the combination of hydroxyurea and 2,2'-bipyridine. These effects are probably due to the heat-sensitive nature of the ribonucleotide reductase enzyme, the target site of the effect of hydroxyurea and 2,2'-bipyridine.