Quinone-induced enhancement of DNA cleavage by human topoisomerase IIα:: Adduction of cysteine residues 392 and 405

Several quinone-based metabolites of drugs and environmental toxins are potent topoisomerase II poisons. These compounds act by adducting the protein and appear to increase levels of enzyme-DNA cleavage complexes by at least two potentially independent mechanisms. Treatment of topoisomerase II alpha with quinones inhibits DNA religation and blocks the N-terminal gate of the protein by cross-linking its two protomer subunits. It is not known whether these two effects result from adduction of quinone to the same amino acid residue(s) in topoisomerase II alpha or whether they are mediated by modification of separate residues. Therefore, this study identified amino acid residues in human topoisomerase II alpha that are modified by quinones and determined their role in the actions of these compounds as topoisomerase II poisons. Four cysteine residues were identified by mass spectrometry as sites of quinone adduction: Cys170, Cys392, Cys405, and Cys455. Mutations (Cys -> Ala) were individually generated at each position. Only mutations at Cys392 or Cys405 reduced sensitivity (similar to 50% resistance) to benzoquinone. Top2 alpha C392A and top2 alpha C405A displayed faster rates (similar to 2-fold) of DNA religation than wild-type topoisomerase II alpha in the presence of the quinone. In contrast, as determined by DNA binding, protein clamp closing, and protomer cross-linking experiments, mutations at Cys392 and Cys405 did not affect the ability of benzoquinone to block the N-terminal gate of topoisomerase II alpha. These findings indicate that adduction of Cys392 and Cys405 is important for the actions of quinones against the enzyme and increases levels of cleavage complexes primarily by inhibiting DNA religation.