Effects of SCH 59228, an orally bioavailable farnesyl protein transferase inhibitor, on the growth of oncogene-transformed fibroblasts and a human colon carcinoma xenograft in nude mice.

The products of the Ha-, Ki-, and N-ras proto-oncogenes comprise a family of 21 kDa guanine nucleotide-binding proteins which play a crucial role in growth factor signal transduction and in the control of cellular proliferation and differentiation. Activating mutations in the ras oncogenes occur in a wide variety of human tumors. Ras proteins undergo a series of posttranslational processing events.

Antitumor activity of SCH 66336, an orally bioavailable tricyclic inhibitor of farnesyl protein transferase, in human tumor xenograft models and wap-ras transgenic mice.

We have been developing a series of nonpeptidic, small molecule farnesyl protein transferase inhibitors that share a common tricyclic nucleus and compete with peptide/protein substrates for binding to farnesyl protein transferase. Here, we report on pharmacological and in vivo studies with SCH 66336, a lead compound in this structural class. SCH 66336 potently inhibits Ha-Ras processing in whole cells and blocks the transformed growth properties of fibroblasts and human tumor cell lines expressing activated Ki-Ras proteins.

NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester does not affect balloon catheter-induced intimal hyperplasia in rats.

The L-arginine derived NO-cGMP pathway's role in the response of the arterial wall to balloon catheter injury was examined. Rats were given the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (10 mg/kg po twice daily) or vehicle for 6 days before and 2 weeks after balloon catheter injury. NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester treatment increased blood pressure and inhibited acetylcholine responses in aortic rings but did not alter the lesions produced by balloon injury.

Hemodynamic actions of a synthetic atrial natriuretic factor.

The recently discovered atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), as well as synthetic ANF, has been demonstrated to produce diuresis and vasodilation. However, the vascular actions appear to be selective. In view of this apparent relative specificity, the hemodynamic actions of synthetic ANF (atriopeptin II, 23 amino acid rat sequence) were examined in intact animals and in vascular beds as well as in isolated cardiac preparations.

Effects of several newer cardiotonic drugs on cardiac cyclic AMP metabolism.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible roles of selective inhibition of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) isozymes, adenylate cyclase activation, and tissue cyclic 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate (cyclic AMP) elevation in the positive inotropic action of five new cardiotonic drugs. Three PDE isozymes (PDE I, II and III), homogenates, and slices of guinea pig ventricles were used. The inotropics amrinone, milrinone, AR-L 115BS, MDL 17,043, and RMI 82,249 all inhibited cyclic AMP hydrolysis by PDE III in a concentration-dependent manner, as did the PDE inhibitors aminophylline and 1-methyl-3-isobutylxanthine (MIX).