Selective and synergistic activity of L-S,R-buthionine sulfoximine on malignant melanoma is accompanied by decreased expression of glutathione-S-transferase.

L-buthionine-S,R-sulfoximine (BSO) selectivley inhibits glutathione (GSH) synthesis. Malignant melanoma may be uniquely dependent on GSH and its linked enzymes, glutathione S-transferase (GST) and GSH-peroxidase, for metabolism of reactive orthoquinones and peroxides produced during melanin synthesis. We compared the in vitro effects of BSO on melanoma cell lines and fresh melanoma specimens (n = 118) with breast and ovarian cell lines and solid tumors (n = 244). IC50 values (microM) for BSO on melanoma, breast and ovarian tumor specimens were 1.9, 8.6, and 29, respectively. The IC90 for melanoma was 25.5 microM, a level 20-fold lower than steady state levels achieved clinically. The sensitivity of individual specimens of melanoma correlated with their melanin content (r = 0.63). BSO synergistically enhanced BCNU activity against melanoma cell lines and human tumors. We followed GSH levels, GST enzyme activity, GST isoenzyme profiles and mRNA levels after BSO. BSO (50 microM) treatment for 48 hr resulted in a 95% decrease in ZAZ and M14 melanoma cell line GSH levels, and a 60% decrease in GST enzyme activity. GST-mu protein and mRNA levels were significantly reduced in both cell lines. GST-pi expression was unaffected. These data suggest that BSO action on melanoma may be related to GSH depletion, diminishing the capacity to scavenge toxic metabolites produced during melanin synthesis. We report here for the first time that BSO enhancement of alkylator action may be related in part to down regulation of GST. BSO may be a clinically useful adjunct in the treatment of malignant melanoma.