Mutagenicity of beta-alkyl substituted acrolein congeners in the Salmonella typhimurium strain TA100 and genotoxicity testing in the SOS chromotest.

The beta-alkyl substituted acrolein congeners crotonaldehyde, trans-2-pentenal, trans-2-hexenal, 2,4-hexadienal, and trans-2-heptenal were clearly mutagenic in a slightly modified preincubation Ames test with Salmonella typhimurium TA100 with and without S9 mix using a threefold bacterial cell density and a 90-min preincubation time, whereas trans-cis-2,6-nonadienal did not show any mutagenic activity. The greatest impediment to adequate mutagenicity testing of these compounds is their toxicity toward bacteria. Within the congener family tested, toxicity increases as a function of both chain length and lipophilicity, and it becomes more and more difficult to demonstrate mutagenicity. Mutagenicity decreases with increasing chain length. This effect may be explained by increasing toxicity. The effect of S9 mix seems to be mostly nonenzymatic detoxication by nonspecific scavanger protection of bacterial cytotoxicity. No indication could be found that bioactivation plays a role in S9-mediated reduction of bacterial cytotoxicity. Although positive mutagenic outcomes could be obtained with the SOS chromotest for other alpha, beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds, these acrolein congeners were not genotoxic in this test, most probably because they are toxic for the Escherichia coli bacteria PQ37 and PQ243.     

Synthesis and mutagenic activity of nitro-imidazoarenes. A study on the mechanism of the genotoxicity of heterocyclic arylamines and nitroarenes

A series of nitro-imidazoarenes (nitro-IAs) were synthesized from the corresponding amino-imidazoarenes (amino-IAs). These two classes of compounds are structurally related to the potent food mutagen and carcinogen, 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ). The mutagenic activities of the nitro-IAs were assayed in the Salmonella typhimurium frameshift tester strains TA98, TA98/1,8-DNP6 and TA98NR without use of extracellular metabolization. Nitro-IQ, the nitro counterpart of IQ, was two times more mutagenic than IQ. In general, the mutagenic activities of the nitro-IAs varied over 50,000-fold. The relationships between the chemical structures and mutagenic activities are identical with those previously reported for the corresponding amino-IAs: the methyl group on the imidazole ring and the quinoline-nitrogen were found to be required for potent mutagenic activity. The reductive activation of the nitro-IAs is not carried out primarily by the 'classical' nitroreductase of Salmonella which is defective in TA98NR. The O-acetyltransferase defective in TA98/1,8-DNP6 is required for the efficient production of the ultimate mutagens of the nitro-IAs. The interchangeability of the structure-activity relationships of the nitro-IAs and amino-IAs reflects a basic similarity of the mechanisms of the mutagenicity of the two classes of compounds. It is likely that N-hydroxy compounds are proximate metabolites common to the nitro-IAs and amino-IAs; they are further activated by an acetyl-CoA-dependent O-acetyltransferase of Salmonella. It is very likely a property of the ultimate mutagen, possibly a nitrenium ion, which governs the mutagenic potency of the different nitro- and amino-IAs and thus determines the structure-activity relationships.     

Mutagenicity of N- and O-acetyl derivatives of methyl 3,4-diphenyl-5-hydroxylamino-2-furoate and N-hydroxy-4-aminobiphenyl in Salmonella typhimurium

Methyl 3,4-diphenyl-5-hydroxylamino-2-furoate (N-OH-MDPF) (I), methyl 3,4-diphenyl-5-acetoxyamino-2-furoate (N-OAc-MDPF) (II), methyl 3,4-diphenyl-N-hydroxy-5-acetylamino-2-furoate (N-OH-MDPAF) (III), and methyl 3,4-diphenyl-N-acetoxy-5-acetylamino-2-furoate (N-OAc-MDPAF) (IV) were synthesized and tested for mutagenic activity for Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100. The hydroxylamine (I) and acetyl derivatives (II-IV) did not show mutagenic activity in TA98 or TA100. In contrast, the parent nitro compound, methyl 3,4-diphenyl-5-nitro-2-furoate (MDPNF) (V) was found to be equally active in TA98 and TA98-DNP, and more active in TA100 and TA104. The mutagenic activity in TA100 and TA104 decreased significantly under anaerobic conditions. Additionally, MDPNF was previously shown to be less mutagenic in the nitroreductase-deficient derivatives TA100NR and TA98NR, suggesting a requirement for nitro reduction. Incubation of V with NADPH and bacterial lysates of TA98 or TA98NR yielded a metabolite which was identified as I based on chromatographic and mass spectral characteristics. The rate of reduction by the lysate of TA98NR was about one-third that of TA98, showing a correlation between mutagenicity and nitroreductase activity. The lysates of TA98 did not reduce N-OH-MDPF further to the amine. In contrast to the lack of mutagenic activity of I-IV, N-hydroxy-4-aminobiphenyl (N-OH-ABP) and its acetyl derivatives were active in TA98, but less so in TA98-DNP. These data suggest that mechanisms involving O-acetylation of N-hydroxylamine to the acetoxyamine or acyl transfer reactions are not involved in the generation of mutagen from MDPNF. Furthermore, the differential mutagenic response of V in TA98 and TA98NR, its reduction to I, and the lack of activity of I suggest that the intermediates of reduction between the nitro and hydroxylamine, such as nitro or nitroso free radical anions, may be involved in mutagenesis. The decreased response of V under anaerobic conditions and increased response in TA104 suggest that secondary oxygen radicals generated from reduction intermediates may be responsible for the mutagenicity of MDPNF.     

Nitrocompound activation by cell-free extracts of nitroreductase-proficient Salmonella typhimurium strains

A characterization of nitrocompounds activation by cell-free extracts (CFE) of wild-type (AB(+)), SnrA deficient (B(+)), Cnr deficient (A(+)) and SnrA/Cnr deficient (AB(-)) Salmonella typhimurium strains has been done. The Ames mutagenicity test (S. typhimurium his(+) reversion assay) was used, as well as nitroreductase (NR) activity determinations where the decrease in absorbance generated by nitrofurantoin (NFN) reduction and NADP(H) oxidation in the presence of NFN, nitrofurazone (NFZ), metronidazole (MTZ) and 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4NQO) were followed. Different aromatic and heterocyclic compounds were tested for mutagenic activation: 2-nitrofluorene (2-NF); 2,7-dinitrofluorene (2,7-DNF); 1-nitropyrene (1-NP), 1,3-dinitropyrene (1,3-DNP); 1,6-dinitropyrene (1,6-DNP); and 1,8-dinitropyrene (1,8-DNP). Differential mutagenicity was found with individual cell free extracts, being higher when the wild type or Cnr containing extract was used; nevertheless, depending on the nitrocompound, activation was found when either NR, SnrA or Cnr, were present. In addition, all nitrocompounds were more mutagenic after metabolic activation by CFE of NR proficient strains, although AB(-) extract still showed activation capacity. On the other hand, NR activity was predominantly catalyzed by wild type CFE followed by A(+), B(+) and AB(-) extracts in that order. We can conclude that results from the Ames test indicate that Cnr is the major NR, while NFN and NFZ reductions were predominantly catalyzed by SnrA. The characterization of the residual NR activity detected by the mutagenicity assay and the biochemical determinations in the AB(-) CFE needs further investigation.     

SOS induction in Escherichia coli and Salmonella mutagenicity: a comparison using 330 compounds

To examine the concordance of two microbial genotoxicity short-termassays, 330 experimental results for the SOS chromotest usingtester strain Escherichia coli PQ37 were compared with the resultsof the Salmonella/mammalian microsome mutagenicity assay withSalmonella typhimurium TA97, TA98, TA100, TA102, TA104, TA1535,TA1537 and/or TA1538. With respect to qualitative features,the concordance between SOS chromotest and Salmonella mutagenicitytest results was 86.4% (sensitivity, 78.6%; specificity, 100%;     

Genotoxicity of 2-halocinnamaldehydes in two bacterial assays. Induction of SOS repair and frame-shift mutation

2-Chlorocinnamaldehyde and 2-bromocinnamaldehyde, compoundsof practical interest, for example, as bacterioddes and fungicidesor for utilization in light sensitive layers, were tested inthe Ames preincubation test with various Salmonella typhimuriumstrains, and in the SOS chromotest with Escherichia coli PQ37. 2-Chlorocinnamaldehyde was clearly mutagenic in strain TA100 (6081 revertants/µmol) and in strain TA 98 (3050 revertants/µmol)without S9 mix, and was clearly positive in the SOS chromotest(SOSIP = 0.181). 2-Bromocinnamaldehyde was a strong mutagenin strain TA 100 (105, 500 revertants/µmol), in strainTA98 (41567 revertants/µmol) and in strain TA 1538 (15825revertants/ µmol), and also unambiguously mutagenic instrain TA 1535 (2110 revertants/µmol) without S9 mix.The SOSIP in the SOS chromotest was 1.5. Addition of S9 mixled to a marked decrease in the mutagenic activity of 2-bromocinnamaldehydein all strains tested. In the case of strain TA 1535, mutagenicactivity was abolished or not significant in the presence ofS9 mix. The possible primary mechanisms underlying these mutageniceffects are discussed. Frame-shift activity of these halocinnamaldehydescan be explained by their planar structure. ¹To whom correspondence should be addressed     

Comparative mutagenicity of a coal combustion fly ash extract in Salmonella typhimurium and Chinese hamster ovary cells

The dichloromethane extract of a coal combustion fly ash sample obtained from an experimental fluidized bed coal combustor was tested for mutagenicity in Salmonella typhimurium and cultured Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. The extract was directly mutagenic in S typhimurium strain TA98 and the nitroreductase deficient strains TA98NR and TA98/1,8DNP6. The mutagenicity observed in TA98NR and TA98/1,8DNP6 was lower than that in TA98. Addition of exogenous Aroclor 1254-induced rat liver supernatant (liver S9) decreased the bacterial mutagenicity of the extract. A different mutagenic response was observed in CHO cells. In the absence of liver S9, although the extract was cytotoxic to CHO cells, no significant mutagenicity was observed. Addition of exogenous liver S9 decreased the cytotoxicity and increased the mutagenicity at both Na+-K+-ATPase and hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (HGPRT) gene loci in CHO cells. Using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and tandem quadruple mass spectrometry, a number of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and nitrated PAHs (nitro-PAHs) were tentatively identified and quantitated. A possible explanation of the difference in bacterial and mammalian mutagenicity of the extract is that the bacterial mutagenicity was induced by the nitro-PAHs that are potent bacterial mutagens and mammalian mutagenicity was induced by both PAHs and nitro-PAHs that are promutagens.     

Mutagenic 1-nitropyrene in wastewater from oil-water separating tanks of gasoline stations and in used crankcase oil

Wastewater collected from oil-water separating tanks of ten gasoline stations for a year was fractionated into diethyl ether-soluble neutral, acidic, and basic fractions. Mutagenicity of these fractions was measured with Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98 and TA100 in the presence or absence of S9 mix. The neutral fractions showed high mutagenicity in the absence of S9 mix. Each neutral fraction was subjected to high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and fractionated. A 1-nitropyrene(1-NP)-corresponding fraction was collected and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and HPLC to prove that wastewater contains 1-NP and to quantitate 1-NP in wastewater. GC-MS patterns showed the following molecular and fragment ion peaks of 1-NP: 247, 217, 201, and 189. The amount of 1-NP in 36 samples of wastewater was 4.2-25,600 ng per liter of wastewater, and 1-NP accounted for 0.3-58.5% of the total mutagenicity of the neutral fractions. The other 19 samples of wastewater did not contain any detectable 1-NP. The mutagenicity of wastewater may be due to water from car washing and contamination by used crankcase oil. A Soxhlet extract of crankcase oil used in a gasoline was fractionated into three fractions as above. Mutagenicity was measured with strains TA98, TA100, TA98NR, and TA98/1,8-DNP6 in the absence or presence of S9 mix. The neutral fraction showed the highest mutagenicity with strain TA98 in the absence of S9 mix, and its mutagenicity was decreased in strains TA98NR and TA98/1,8-DNP6. The latter result indicates that the used engine-oil contained 1-NP and dinitropyrenes. Actually, the amounts of 1-NP and 1,6-diNP in used crankcase oil were 138 and 2.0 ng per ml of oil, respectively, and these concentrations accounted for 0.45 and 2.7%, respectively, of the total mutagenicity of the neutral fraction with strain TA98 in the absence of S9 mix. Moreover, the concentrations of 1-NP and 1,6-diNP in used crankcase oil of a diesel engine were 349 and 31 ng per ml of oil, respectively, accounting for 0.9 and 12%, respectively, of the total mutagenicity of the neutral fraction in the same assay system.     

Evaluation of the mutagenic and genotoxic activities of 48 nitroimidazoles and related imidazole derivatives by the Ames test and the SOS chromotest.

The mutagenic and genotoxic activities of 48 nitroimidazoles and related imidazole derivatives have been evaluated by using modified versions of the Ames test and the SOS Chromotest. Salmonella typhimurium tester strain TA 100 was used with and without metabolic activation in the Ames test and Escherichia coli tester Strain PQ 37 was used with and without metabolic activation in the SOS Chromotest. Including metronidazole and dimetridazole, 45 derivatives were mutagenic and genotoxic. The mutagenic potencies (MP) ranged from 0.127 to 53,717 revertants/nmol while the SOS induction powers (SOSIP) ranged from 0.00131 to 107 IF/nmol. The overall correlation between MP and SOSIP was r = 0.845 (n = 84) as calculated by linear regression analysis. A higher correlation was observed between MP and SOSIP without the S9 mix than with it. Among the imidazole derivatives, the 5-nitroimidazoles with a lactam ring at the 2-position showed the highest MP and SOSIP. The presence of a nitro group at the 5-position was critical for the mutagenicity and the genotoxicity of the derivatives. Substituents at the 1- and 2-positions were also found to modulate these activities.     

Evidence for the existence of a family of bacterial nitroreductases capable of activating nitrated polycyclics to mutagens

A derivative of Salmonella typhimurium TA98 which does not respond to the potent mutagenicity of 1,8-dinitropyrene is described. This novel strain also shows a lack of response to the mutagenic action of 1,3-dinitropyrene and a greatly reduced response to 1,6-dinitropyrene and 1-nitropyrene. The responses to 1,3,6-trinitropyrene and 1,3,6,8-tetranitropyrene are affected to a much lesser extent. This strain (TA98/1,8DNP6) is fully sensitive to the mutagenicity of 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide, niridazole, nitroacridine, and nonnitrated frameshift mutagens. This strain appears to be deficient in a nitroreductase which reduces nitrated pyrenes and possibly other nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to corresponding hydroxylamines, the penultimate mutagens.     

Comparative mutagenicity of nitrofluoranthenes in Salmonella typhimurium TA98, TA98NR, and TA98/1,8DNP6

The nitration of fluoranthene, one of the most abundant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in diesel fuels, occurs in the laboratory under either electrophilic or free-radical conditions to give nitro-PAH. 3-Nitrofluoranthene (3-NF) is the major product under electrophilic ionic conditions while 2-nitrofluoranthene (2-NF) is the major product under free-radical nitration conditions. The free-radical nitration of fluoranthene also yields 1,2- and 1,3-dinitrofluoranthene (1,2-DNF and 1,3-DNF). Nitration on the 3-position of fluoranthene enhances the mutagenic potency more strongly than on the 2-position. Thus, 3-NF is a more potent mutagen than 2-NF and 1,3-DNF is more potent than 1,2-DNF, an isomer with one near coplanar nitro group and one nitro group substantially out of plane with the fluoranthene skeleton, when tested against Salmonella typhimurium TA98, TA98NR, and TA98/1,8-DNP6. In addition, the activation of these dinitro-PAH to mutagens does not depend on the "classical nitroreductase" and/or O-acetylase, suggesting that they are activated via different pathways. Despite the fact that 3-NF and 1-phenyl-4-nitronaphthalene (1-P-4NN), a non-planar analog of 3-NF, have virtually identical reduction potentials, their mutagenic potencies differ by three orders of magnitude. This finding suggests that when nitro-PAH of varying steric requirements are compared, the reduction potential may not predict mutagenic potency as well as had been previously suggested.     

Metabolic reduction of novel 3,4–dichloro-5-nitrofurans in Salmonella typhimurium

To gain insight on biochemical mechanisms of mutagenesis and carcinogenesis by the experimental carcinogens, 5–nitrofurans, a new series of 3,4-dichloro-5-nitrofurans, comprised of 3,4-dichloro-5-nitro-2-acetylfuran (I), 3,4-dichloro-5-nitro-2-bromoacetylfuran (II), methyl 3,4-dichloro-5-nitro-2-furoate (III), were synthesized and tested for their activation to mutagenic forms in the standard plate assay using Salmonella typhimurium TA98, TA100, and TA100NR, a derivative of TA100 deficient in nitroreductase activity. The mutagenic responses in TA98 were 2- to 6-fold lower compared to TA100. Furthermore, I and II were less active in TA100NR, while compound Ill was about four times more mutagenic in TA100NR compared to the parent strain TA100. Incubation of Ill with NADPH and bacterial lysates showed that the extent of reduction was greater in TA100 compared to TA100NR. High-pressure liquid chromatography analysis of the ethyl acetate extract obtained from incubation of Ill with lysates of TA100 revealed the formation of four metabolites with retention times of about 4.0, 5.7, 10.0, and 14.3 minutes. The spectroscopic and chromatographic properties of the components with retention times of 10.0 and 14.3 minutes were identical to two derivatives obtained by chemical reduction of Ill, and thus represent nitroreduction products. These derivatives have been identified as cisand frans-oxime isomers of methyl 3,4-dichloro-2-furoate, based on spectroscopic analyses. These oximes were not mutagenic for TA100. Furthermore, Ill was more mutagenic under anaerobic conditions, suggesting that secondary superoxide or nitroanion free radicals generated from nitroreduction are not responsible for the mutagenicity of Ill. In addition, the higher mutagenic response in TA100NR, and the lack of mutagenic activities of the amino and the oxime analogs of Ill suggest that the mutagenic activation of Ill might be due to the nitroso intermediate or involve mechanisms other than nitroreduction. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Metabolic activation of the genotoxic environmental contaminants 2- and 3-nitrofluoranthene in variants of Salmonella typhimurium TA98

The mutagenic environmental pollutants 2-nitrofluoran-thene(2-NFA) and 3-nitrofluoranthene (3-NFA), labelled with ³H and¹⁴C respectively, were incubated with Salmonella typhimuriumstrain TA98, its nitroreductase-deficient variant TA98NR andits 0-acetytransferase-deficient variant TA98/1,8-DNP₆, to investigatethe activity of these metabolic pathways under conditions approximatingthose of the Ames assay, hence their contribution to mutagenicpotency. 2-Aminofluoranthene (2-AFA) was the major metaboliteof 2-NFA (4 µM) in all three TA98 variants, isolated byreverse-phase HPLC and identified by UV-vis and NMR spectroscopyand mass spectrometry. 2-AFA was formed more slowly in TA98NR(65 pmol/h/ml resting phase bacterial broth, 1 to 2x10⁹ bacteria/ml)than in TA98 (295 pmol/h/ml) or TA98/1,8-DNP₆ (82 pmol/h/ml).2-Acetamidofluoranthene (2-AAFA) was also identified in incubationswith TA98 (80 pmol/h/ml), TA98NR (21 pmol/ h/ml), and TA98/1,8-DNP6(8 pmol/h/ml). 3-Aminofluoran-thene (3-AFA, confirmed by UV-visand NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry) was formed by allthree variants from 3-NFA (4 µM): TA98, 1.76 nmol/h/ml;TA98NR, 0.55 nmol/h/ml; TA98/1,8-DNP₆, 2.93 nmol/h/ml. 3-Acetamidofluoranthene(3-AAFA) was not detected in any of the variants. 3-AFA and3-AAFA were less mutagenic than 3-NFA, and required S9 for activation.Mutagenicity of 3-NFA relative to initial nitroreduction ratewas similar in TA98 and in TA98NR, but almost 10-fold lowerin TA98/ 1,8-DNP₆; hence 0-acetylation considerably enhancesthe mutagenicity of reduction products of 3-NFA. Mutagenicityof 2-NFA relative to initial nitroreduction rate was similarin TA98 and in TA98/1,8-DNP₆; the bacterial genotoxicity of2-NFA is therefore largely independent of O-acetyltrans-feraseactivity. Ratios of mutagenicity to nitroreduction rate weresimilar in TA98 for 2-NFA and 3-NFA; differences in the potencyof these isomers arise primarily from their respective suitabilitiesas substrates for nitroreductase enzymes. ⁴whom correspondence should be addressed     

Mutagenicity of carbon tetrachloride and chloroform in Salmonella typhimurium TA98, TA100, TA1535, and TA1537, and Escherichia coli WP2uvrA/pKM101 and WP2/pKM101, using a gas exposure method

The volatile solvents carbon tetrachloride and chloroform are carcinogens that are often reported as nonmutagenic in bacterial mutagenicity assays. In this study, we evaluated the mutagenicity of these compounds in Salmonella typhimurium TA98, TA100, TA1535, and TA1537, and Escherichia coli WP2uvrA/pKM101 and WP2/pKM101, with and without S9 mix, using a gas exposure method. Tests were also conducted with a glutathione-supplemented S9 mix. Carbon tetrachloride was mutagenic in TA98 without S9 mix, and in WP2/pKM101 and WP2uvrA/pKM101 with and without S9 mix; carbon tetrachloride was not mutagenic in TA100, TA1535 or TA1537. Chloroform was mutagenic in WP2/pKM101, but only in the presence of glutathione-supplemented S9 mix. Chloroform was not mutagenic in TA98, TA100, TA1535, TA1537, or WP2uvrA/pKM101 with or without S9 mix, and was not mutagenic in TA98, TA100, TA1535, TA1537, or WP2uvrA/pKM101 in the presence of glutathione-supplemented S9 mix. The data indicate that carbon tetrachloride and chloroform are bacterial mutagens when adequate exposure conditions are employed and suggest that a genotoxic mode of action could contribute to the carcinogenicity of these compounds.     

Comparative genotoxicity of halogenated acetic acids found in drinking water

Three short-term assays (SOS chromotest, Ames fluctuation testand newt micronucleus test) were performed to detect the genotoxicactivity of organohalides, compounds likely to be found in chlorinatedand/or ozonated drinking water: monochloro-, dichloro- and trichloroaceticacids and monobromo-, dibromo- and tribromoacetic acids. Withthe SOS chromotest, only three of the chemicals studied (dichloroaceticacid, dibromo- and tribromoacetic acids) were found to induceprimary DNA damage in Escherichia coli PQ 37. In the Ames fluctuationtest, all the compounds except monochloroacetic acid showedmutagenic activity in Salmonella typhimurium strain TA100. Inthese two in vitro tests, a good correlation between increasingnumber of substituents and decreasing mutagenicity was observed.Namely, the toxicity of brominated and chlorinated acetic acidsdecreased when the number of substituents increased. The newtmicronucleus test detected a weak clastogenic effect on theperipheral blood erythrocytes of Pleurodeles waltl larvae fortrichloroacetic acid only. ³To whom correspondence should be addressed at: Institut Pasteur de Lille, Laboratoire de Toxicologie Génétique, 1 Rue du Professeur Calmette, BP 245, 59019 Lille Cedex, France     

Role of classical nitroreductase and O-acetyltransferase on the mutagenicity of nifurtimox and eight derivatives in Salmonella typhimurium

This study investigates the mutagenicity of nifurtimox (NFX) and eight analogues in Salmonella typhimurium indicator strains that possess different levels of classical nitroreductase or O-acetyltransferase activities. The NFX analogues tested replace the 3-methyl-4-yl-tetrahydro-1,4-thiazine-1,1 -dioxide group of the parent compound with the following other groups: indazol-l-yl (1G); pyrazol-1-yl (1B); benzimidazol-1-yl (lE); 1,2,4-triazol-4-yl (1D); 1-methyl-3-methylthio-1,2,4-triazol-4-yl-5-thione (11); 3,5-bis(methylthio)-1,2,4-triazol-4-yl (1H); 1-ada-mantyl (ADA); and 4,6-diphenylpyridin-1-yl-2-one (1K). In the genetic backgrounds of the standard Ames tester strains TA98 and TA100, these bacteria combine the L-arabinose resistance forward mutation assay (Ara test) with a deficiency or overproduction of either nitroreduction or O-acetylation. The Ara test revealed, in agreement with previous findings, important differences between TA98 and TA100 and demonstrated, moreover, that these genetic differences are of significance in mutagenicity testing with nitrofuran compounds. The Ara test also indicated dissimilarities between the metabolic activation of NFX and its analogues, these compounds being classified in three different groups according to their mutagenicity toward strain BA14 (genetic background of TA98) and its derivatives. The first group included analogues (1G, 1E, 11, and ADA) that showed similar mutagenic potency in all bacterial strains. These compounds are considered not to be substrates for both classical nitroreductase and O-acetyltransferase. The second group included compounds (analogues 1 B and 1K, and the reference drug NFX) with increased mutagenicity toward the strain overproducing the classical nitroreductase, and/or reduced mutagenicity toward the corresponding deficient bacteria. These compounds are considered to be activated by the classical nitroreductase. The third group (analogues 1D and 1H) was activated by bacterial O-acetyltransferase, and consequently showed increased and decreased mutagenicity with the particular overproducer or deficient bacterial strain, as compared to their isogenic parentals. Previous reports have pointed out interest in NFX analogue 1H as a promising candidate for the replacement of NFX. The present study further enhances the putative interest of compound 1H, based on the different metabolic activation pathway exhibited by this analogue as compared to the parental drug, NFX. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Sequential and differing nitroreductive pathways for mutagenic nitropyrenes in Salmonella typhimurium

The nitro group of nitropyrenes is required for mutagenicity in Salmonella typhimurium. 1-Nitropyrene and 1,3-dinitropyrene are reduced by the 'classical' nitroreductase, which involves a single electron transfer, while the reduction of the first nitro group of 1,6- and 1,8-dinitropyrene proceeds by a two-electron transfer mechanism and involves a different enzyme. However, reduction of the second nitro group, which is not necessary for the mutagenicity of nitropyrenes but is required for the mutagenicity of aminonitropyrenes, is catalyzed by the 'classical' nitroreductase.     

Mutagenicity of nitro compounds in Salmonella typhimurium in the presence of flavin mononucleotide in a preincubation assay

A series of nitro compounds (18 aromatic and one aliphatic) was evaluated using a modification of the standard Salmonella typhimurium mutagenicity assay. A preincubation protocol was used with flavin mononucleotide (FMN) incorporated into the assay mixture to facilitate nitro reduction. Several aromatic nitro compounds (m-nitroaniline, p-nitroaniline, 2,6-dinitrotoluene, 2,4-dinitrotoluene,2,3-dinitrotoluene,1,8-dinitronaphthalene), which were negative or only weakly mutagenic when tested in the standard plate incorporation assay, showed FMN-dependent mutagenic responses with this procedure. For some nitro compounds, the addition of FMN was not needed for the detection of mutagenicity in the modified protocol. Not all nitro compounds were positive using the preincubation procedure with FMN. The lack of mutagenicity, however, does not appear to be the result of the inability of the modified method to reduce nitro compounds, since it was found that reduction does occur under the assay conditions for the two nonmutagens evaluated for nitro reduction (nitrobenzene and p-nitrophenol). It is suggested that the modified protocol may be useful for evaluating the mutagenicity of many nitro compounds.     

Genotoxicity of quinoxaline 1,4-dioxide derivatives in Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium

The mutagenicities of 5 quinoxaline 1,4-dioxide (QdO) derivatives were tested by 2 bacterial assays using forward mutation with Escherichia coli WP2uvrA/pKM101 and reverse mutation with Salmonella typhimurium TA100 and TA98. Potent mutagenic activities of all QdOs tested were observed in both mutation assays. Mutagenicities of these compounds were varied by addition of S9 mix. Their SOS-inducing activities were examined with a ‘Rec-lac test’ that has been newly developed by us for detecting genotoxins. A high level of SOS-inducing activity was observed in all samples tested. These results suggest that the mutagenicity of QdOs results from the error-prone repair involved in SOS responses.     

Mutagenicity of HPLC-fractionated urinary metabolites from 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene-treated Fischer 344 rats

The production and storage of explosives has resulted in the environmental accumulation of the mutagen 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT). In order to characterize the production of mutagenic urinary metabolites, 6-week old male Fischer 344 rats were administered 75 mg of TNT/kg or DMSO vehicle by gavage. The animals were placed into metabolism cages, and urine was collected for 24 hr. Following filtration, metabolites in the urine were deconjugated with sulfatase and β-glucuronidase and concentrated by solid phase extraction. The eluate was fractionated by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using acetonitrile/water, and the fractions were solvent exchanged in DMSO by nitrogen evaporation. Each HPLC fraction was bioassayed in strains TA98, TA98NR, TA100, and TA100NR without metabolic activation using a microsuspension modification of the Salmonella histidine reversion assay. Fractions 3, 5–18, 21, 22, and 24–26 contained mutagens detected by strain TA98. In the nitroreductase-deficient strain TA98NR, some mutagenic activity was lost; however, fractions 3, 6, 9–11, 15, and 25 clearly contained direct-acting mutagens. Fewer fractions were positive in strain TA100 (9–16, 19, 20, and 25) with less activity observed in the nitroreductase deficient strain TA100NR (fractions 3, 12, 14, 15, and 25). Although some mutagenic activity coeluted with known TNT metabolite standards, there were still many unidentified mutagenic peaks. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 30:298–302, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.