DNA double-strand break repair, DNA-PK, and DNA ligases in two human squamous carcinoma cell lines with different radiosensitivity.

PURPOSE

Variation in sensitivity to radiotherapy among tumors has been related to the capacity of cells to repair radiation-induced DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) and DNA ligases may affect DNA dsb rejoining. This study was performed to compare rate of rejoining of radiation-induced DSBs, DNA-PK, and DNA ligase activities in two human squamous carcinoma cell lines with different sensitivity to ionizing radiation.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Cell survival of two human squamous carcinoma cell lines, UM-SCC-1 and UM-SCC-14A, was determined by an in vitro clonogenic assay. DSB rejoining was studied using pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). DNA-PK activity was determined using BIOTRAK DNA-PK enzyme assay system (Amersham). DNA ligase activity in crude cell extracts was measured using [5'-33P] Poly (dA) x (oligo (dT) as a substrate. Proteolytic degradation of proteins was analyzed by means of Western blotting.

RESULTS

Applying the commonly used linear-quadratic equation to describe cell survival, S = e-alphaD-betaD2, the two cell lines roughly have the same alpha value (approximately 0.40 Gy(-1)) whereas the beta value was considerably higher in UM-SCC-14A (0.067 Gy(-2)+/-0.007 Gy(-2) [SEM]) as compared to UM-SCC-1 (0.013 Gy(-2)+/-0.004 Gy(-2) [SEM]). Furthermore, UM-SCC-1 was more proficient in rejoining of X-ray-induced DSBs as compared to UM-SCC-14A as quantified by PFGE. The constitutive level of DNA-PK activity was 1.6 times higher in UM-SCC-1 as compared to UM-SCC-14A ( < 0.05). The constitutive level of DNA ligase activity was similar in the two cell lines.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that the proficiency in rejoining of DSBs is associated with DNA-PK activity but not with total DNA ligase activity.