Role of GSTP1-1 in mediating the effect of As2O3 in the Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia cell line NB4

Arsenic trioxide (As₂O₃) is a highly effective agent in the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), whereas other hematopoietic tumors are less responsive to this agent and mechanisms underlying As₂O₃,-resistance are poorly understood. To better understand the complex network of GSH-related pathways in As₂O₃ sensitivity, we investigated the role of GSH and GSH-relevant enzymes in an APL cell line sensitive to s₂O₃ (NB4) and in a resistant subclone (AsR). Cell proliferation, viability, and apoptosis were investigated in NB4 cells before and after treatment with 1 μMA As₂O₃ and in AsR cells. In these experimental cell models, GSTP1-1, JNK1 and JNK2 proteins were analyzed by immunoblotting, and a kinase assay for JNK1 was performed. GSH levels as well as the activities of the enzymes glutathione peroxidase, glutathione transferase, γ-Glutamylcysteynilsinthetase and superoxide dismutase were measured. NB4 cells treated with As₂O₃ showed a high level of oxidative stress and an increase of GSH levels. GSTP1-1 polymerization and JNK1 activation were detectable after 24 h and were followed by an increase of the apoptotic rate starting at 72 h. Neither GSTP1-1 polymerization nor JNK activation was found in AsR cells that showed a very low apoptotic rate. Our results suggest that APL sensitivity to As₂O₃ might be, at least in part, mediated by the balance between association and dissociation of JNK from GSTP1-1, depending on the redox status of the cell. Further investigation is warranted to find a way to interfere with this balance, whenever it might represent a mechanism of drug resistance.