Metabolism of prostaglandin E2 by human HL-60 leukemia cells.

The metabolic fate of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) was examined in human HL-60 leukemia cells. Cytosolic fractions obtained from dimethylformamide treated HL-60 granulocytes rapidly convert exogonous PGE2 to 15-keto-PGE2. The strict requirement for NAD coupled with other characteristics of the reaction indicate that the enzyme is the NAD-dependent 15-prostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH). When intact cells are incubated with 3H-PGE2, both 15-keto-PGE2 and its subsequent metabolite, 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGE2 are produced. Thus, HL-60 cells express two enzymes of the major prostaglandin catabolic pathway, 15-PGDH and ketoprostaglandin delta 13-reductase.