Evidence for ras gene mutation in 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline–induced colonic aberrant crypts in the rat

Aberrant crypt foci (ACF) are putative peneoplastic lesions that develop after treatment of animals with colon carcinogens, including cooked-meat heterocyclic amines such as 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ). Male F344 rats given IQ by gavage on alternating days for 2 wk (130 mg/kg body weight) and killed 12 wk after the final carcinogen dose had an average of 4.4 ACF/colon and an average of 3.2 crypts/focus. The DNA from these ACF was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction and analyzed by 3′-primer mismatch and direct sequencing methods for mutations in the Ki-ras proto-oncogene. Of the 37 IQ-induced ACF screened, three contained a GGT→GAT mutation in codon 12 and one contained a GGC→GCC mutation in codon 13. The approximately 11% frequency of mutation in IQ-induced ACF is within the range of previous ACF studies of azoxymethane, which reported a 7–37% incidence of Ki-ras mutaion. These findings suggest that for both compounds, ras mutations occur during early stages of colorectal tumorigenesis. However, while ras mutations can be detected with increasing frequency in azoxymethane-induced adenomas and carcinomas, they are reportedly absent in IQ-induced colon tumors. Thus, for IQ and related compounds additional factors (possibly increased cell proliferation) may be important in the later stages of colorectal tumorigenesis. © 1995 Wiley-Liss Inc.     

Beta-catenin mutations in liver tumors induced by 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline in CDF1 mice

Heterocyclic amines are potent mutagens and carcinogens formed in cooked protein rich foods. In this study, we screened liver tumors induced by 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (MeIQ) in CDF1 mice for beta-catenin and APC mutations and other genetic alterations shown to occur in human hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC), including mutations in the p53 and H-ras genes, c-myc amplification and E-cadherin promoter methylation. SSCP followed by direct DNA sequencing revealed mutations in exon 2 of the beta-catenin gene in 2 of 16 liver tumors (12.5%). Promoter methylation of the E-cadherin gene was detected in one liver tumor induced by MeIQ. There were no mutations in the mutation cluster region of the APC gene, in exons 5-8 of the p53 gene, or in codons 12, 13 and 61 of the H-ras gene, nor c-myc amplification in any of liver tumors induced by MeIQ. These data indicate that except for the occasional disruption of the Wnt pathway through beta-catenin mutations, the genetic pathways involved in the development of HCC differ significantly between human liver cancer and tumors induced in mice by MeIQ, but do not rule out the possibility that heterocyclic amines constitute a carcinogenic risk factor in humans.     

Mutational specificity of 2-amino-3-methylimidazo-[4,5-f]quinoline in the hprt locus of CHO-K1 cells

2-Amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ), a food carcinogen formed in cooked meats, can induce gene mutation at the hprt locus of CHO-K1 cells in the presence of hepatic 59 mix. To elucidate the molecular nature of IQ-induced mutation, we characterized the entire coding region of the hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl-transferase gene of 23 independent mutants derived from IQ-treated CHO cells by direct sequencing of polymerase chain reaction-amplified cDNA. Ten of the 23 IQ-induced mutants examined contained single base substitutions; one mutant had three single-base substitutions. Among the base substitutions, G·C→CG (six of 13) and A·T→CG (three of 13) transversions predominated. Most of the base-substitution mutations occurred preferentially at a middle G and had a dA in their 3′ ends. Of the 13 other mutations (56.5%), 12 missing one or more complete exons were splice-site mutations, and one mutant had a partial deletion of an exon. A high frequency of complete exon deletion (11 of 12) in exons 2–5 was observed. Interestingly, 75% of the mutants (nine of 12) with splice-site mutations were induced by IQ only at higher concentrations (300–500 μM). This was probably due to the occurrence of GC base-substitution mutations that affected hprt mRNA splicing, especially at the intron-exon boundaries. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Quantitation of 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline and 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline DNA adducts in specific sequences using alkali or uvrABC excinuclease

2-Amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ) and 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MelQx) are carcinogens found in cooked meats that form DNA adducts upon metabolic activation. Purified DNA from Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells was reacted in vitro with the active metabolites N-acetoxy-lQ or N-acetoxy-MelQx, and the adduct levels in the 5′ dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) gene and downstream region were quantitated by Southern hybridization. Adducted and restricted DNA was treated with Escherichia coli uvrABC excinuclease or alkali (0.1 N NaOH, 37°C, 60 min) to incise DNA at IQ and MeIQx adduct sites. The DNA was then denatured with formamide, electrophoresed on a neutral agarose gel, transferred to a support membrane, and hybridized with sequence-specific DNA probes. Both uvrABC and alkali reduced the intensity of Southern hybridization in proportion to the number of IQ or MeIQx adducts in DNA, indicating that these adducts are substrates for uvrABC and that they form alkali-labile lesions in DNA. IQ and MeIQx adduct levels were the same in the 5′ DHFR gene and in the downstream region. Southern hybridization analysis of pBR322 containing known levels of IQ or MeIQx adducts showed that the efficiency of cutting IQ or MeIQx adducts by uvrABC excinuclease and alkali was approximately 30% and 15%, respectively. ³²P-postlabeling studies examining adduct level in bulk DNA further showed that the adduct profiles were identical in pBR322, CHO DNA, and cultured CHO cells exposed to the reactive metabolites of IQ or MeIQx. The results indicate that IQ and MeIOx adducts can be quantitated in specific genomic sequences and that this method should be directly applicable to studies of gene-specific repair of these adducts in cultured cells.     

Effect of dietary fat on codon 12 and 13 Ha-ras gene mutations in 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine–induced rat mammary gland tumors

Activating mutations in and expression of the Ha-ras gene were examined in benign and malignant female Sprague-Dawley rat mammary gland tumors induced by the heterocyclic amine 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) and promoted by a diet high in polyunsaturated fat. Ha-ras mutations were detected in codons 12 and 13 by selective polymerase chain reaction amplification of mutated sequences and nucleotide sequencing. The percentage of Ha-ras mutations in carcinomas from PhIP-treated rats was significantly higher in rats on a low-fat diet than in rats on a high-fat diet (82% (nine of 11) vs 26% (seven of 27), respectively, P < 0.01). In addition, whereas 56% of the carcinomas with Ha-ras mutations from rats on a low-fat diet carried double Ha-ras mutations, none of the carcinomas from rats on a high-fat diet had double mutations. Ha-ras mutations were also detected in benign tumors (largely adenomas) induced by PhIP in rats on different diets; two of eight and three of four benign tumors examined from rats on low-fat and high-fat diets, respectively, had Ha-ras mutations, suggesting that activating Ha-ras mutations alone are not sufficient for PhIP-induced tumors to become malignant. No differences were observed in the level of Ha-ras mRNA expression in the different groups. In our animal model, a high-fat diet increased the incidence and percentage of malignant PhIP-induced mammary gland tumors yet decreased the percentage of carcinomas showing Ha-ras mutations. Thus, the complement of genetic alterations associated with PhIP-induced mammary gland carcinogenesis is probably altered by the level of dietary fat. Mol. Carcinog. 20:348–354, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

mRNA differential display of 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine-induced rat mammary gland tumors

The mRNA differential display technique was used to compare mRNAs between normal mammary gland and tumor-derived epithelial cells from female Sprague-Dawley rat mammary gland tumors induced by the heterocyclic amine 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) and promoted by a high-fat diet (23.5% corn oil). Two genes, -casein and transferrin, were identified as differentially expressed. The expression of these genes was examined across a bank of rat mammary gland tumors derived from animals on a low-fat diet (5% corn oil) or the high-fat diet. Carcinomas had over a 10- and 50-fold lower expression of -casein and transferrin, respectively, than normal mammary gland. In addition, carcinomas from animals on the high-fat diet showed on average a 5-fold higher expression of -casein and transferrin than carcinomas from animals on the low-fat diet. The results indicate the process of mammary gland tumorigenesis alters the expression of certain genes in the mammary gland, and that the level of dietary fat further modulates the expression of these genes.     

Genotoxicity of the food mutagen 2-amino-3-methylimidazo-[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ) and analogs

The food mutagen 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ)is an analogue of quinoline, a hepatocarcinogen. 2-Aminofluorene,benzldine and 3,2'-dimethyl-4-aminobiphenyl (DMAB) are potentinducers of unscheduled DNA repair in primary culture rat liverhepatocytes, as was IQ (151 grains/ nucleus at 1 x 10^–6M). Quinoline, on the other hand, is only weakly positive inthis assay (15 grains/nucleus at 1 x 10^–3 M). IQ, quinolineand DMAB were applied topically to shaved skin of Sencar micewith promotion by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA)for 20 weeks, when 14 of 20 mice in the quinoline group had25 tumors, but only one of 30 animals in the IQ group and fiveof 30 in the DMAB group were tumor-bearing. Analogs of IQ synthesizedby substitution at the 2- or 3-position with amino or methylgroups were assayed with the Ames Salmonella typhimurium testerstrains TA98 and TA100. Mutagenicity for TA98 is reduced inthe absence of the 3-methyl group and is completely abolishedwith removal of the 2-amino moiety. None of these analogs arestrong mutagens for TA100. Exocyclic N-oxidation is a likelyobligatory step in the activation of IQ to a mutagen.     

Tissue distribution of DNA adducts in CDF1 mice fed 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ) and 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (MeIQ)

Male and female CDF1 mice were administered a single oral dose of 3 mumol of the food mutagens 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ) or 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (MeIQ) and killed 24 h later. DNA was isolated from the livers, lungs, kidneys, colon and forestomach and analysed by 32P-postlabelling for the presence of IQ and MeIQ adducts. Several adduct-enrichment procedures were investigated, including ATP-deficient labelling conditions, butanol extraction and nuclease P1 digestion, and only the ATP-deficient procedure was found to produce the same adduct pattern on polyethyleneimine--cellulose TLC as the standard procedure. Up to nine adduct spots were detected in liver DNA from IQ-treated mice, two of which were not detected in other tissues. The levels of binding in both male and female mice were in the order liver greater than kidney greater than colon greater than forestomach greater than lung. Analysis of DNA from MeIQ-treated mice revealed the presence of up to seven adducts, one of which was detected in liver but not in other tissues. The relative order of DNA binding was kidney greater than liver greater than or equal to colon greater than forestomach greater than lung. As dietary feeding of IQ induces liver, lung and forestomach tumours, and MeIQ induces liver and forestomach tumours in this mouse strain, these binding levels do not correlate with the susceptibility of the organs to carcinogenesis induced by these compounds; the results may indicate the importance of additional factors in determining organ specificity of carcinogenicity.     

Inhibition of plasmid reporter gene expression in cho cells by DNA adducts of 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline and 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5–b]pyridine

2-Amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ) and 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b)]pyridine (PhIP) are two members of a family of carcinogenic heterocyclic amines (HAs) found in cooked meats that form DNA adducts after activation to N-acetoxy derivatives. The ability of IQ- and PhlP-DNA adducts to inhibit gene expression was investigated using a human growth hormone (hGH) reporter gene in a pUC12-based mammalian expression vector under the control of either the herpes simplex virus-1 thymidine kinase promoter or the human immunodeficiency virus-1 long terminal repeat. The plasmids were treated in vitro with 0, 5, 10, or 40 μM N-hydroxy-IQ or N-hydroxy-PhIP in the presence of a 10-fold molar excess of acetic anhydride to generate the N-acetoxy derivatives in situ. The adduct levels in the plasmids were quantitated by the ³²P-postlabeling method. The adducted (and control) plasmids were each transfected into repair-deficient or -proficient Chinese hamster ovary cells, and expression of hGH was measured by immunoassay of growth hormone secreted into the cell medium. The results showed that IQ- and PhlP-DNA adducts inhibited gene expression in both plasmids and that the degree of inhibition of hGH production was proportional to the levels of IQ- and PhlP-DNA adducts. The degree of inhibition, however, was independent of the promoter, despite the differences in the strengths of the two promoters to drive hGH production. Repair capacity influenced the extent of inhibition of gene expression by HA adducts since, in general, fewer adducts were needed to inhibit reporter gene expression in repair-deficient cells than in repair-proficient cells. In both cell lines, DNA adducts of PhIP appeared to be more potent in inhibiting hGH expression than adducts of IQ. Whether alteration of gene expression by HA adducts plays a role in the carcinogenicity of these compounds deserves further study. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Mutation,loss of heterozygosity,and recombination of the p53 gene in mouse forestomach tumors induced by 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline

2-Amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (MelQ), a food mutagen, induces forestomach tumors in CDF₁ mice. We established a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)–single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis system to detect mutations in the mouse p53 gene exons 2–10, which encompass all five regions conserved among species, and a system to examine loss of heterozygosity (LOH) that uses newly identified polymorphisms between BALB/c and DBA mice, the parental strains of CDF₁ mice. Four original forestomach tumors (one papilloma, two carcinomas, and one lymph-node metastasis) and four cell lines derived from four independent forestomach tumors were examined with the PCR-SSCP system and by polymorphism analysis. Of the four original tumors, the papilloma had a G→A transition at the second position of codon 171, and one carcinoma had a G→T transversion at the second position of condon 113 with loss of the wild-type allele, whereas the other two carcinomas had no detectable mutations. Of the four cell lines, two had a base substitution and LOH, and the other two had double mutations (a base substitution and a deletion). By amplification of the double mutations in a fragment, the two cell lines were shown to have four kinds of alleles, indicating induction of recombination within the p53 gene. Our results show that our PCR-SSCP analysis system is efficient for detecting p53 mutations in mouse genomic DNA and that alteration of the p53 gene plays a significant role in MelQ-induced mouse forestomach carcinogenesis. © 1995 Wiley-Liss Inc.     

Absence of p53 Mutations in Rat Colon Tumors Induced by 2-Amino-6-methyldipyrido[1,2-a:3', 2'-d]imidazole, 2-Amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline, or 2-Amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine

Colon tumors were induced in F344 rats by three heterocyclic amines (HCAs), 2-amino-6-methyl-dipyrido[1,2- a :3', 2'- d ]imidazole (Glu-P-1), 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5- f ]quinoline (IQ) or 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5- b ]pyridine (PhIP), and examined for p53 mutations. Seven carcinomas induced by Glu-P-1, and nine carcinomas and two adenomas induced by IQ were examined by cDNA-polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) analysis from codon 103 to 391 of p53, which encompasses the conserved regions II to IV. Nine carcinomas induced by PhIP were examined by genomic PCR-SSCP analysis of exons 5 to 7 (from codon 124 to 304), which encompasses the 3'half of the conserved region II and all the conserved regions III-V. No band shifts were found in any of these tumors under at least two conditions of SSCP analysis. Our previous study had shown a Ki- ras mutation in only one Glu-P-1-induced adenocarcinoma among the same 27 colon tumors, and no other mutation of ras family genes had been found. HCA-induced rat colon tumors appear to represent a group of human colon tumors in which neither Ki- ras nor p53 is involved.     

High frequency and low specificity of ras gene mutations in rat Zymbal's gland tumors induced by 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4, 5-f]quinoline

The activating mutations of all three ras genes in rat Zymbal'sgland tumors induced by a food mutagen, 2-amino-3-methyl-imidazo[4,5-f) inoline (IQ) were analyzed. DNA fragments of the Ha-ras,Ki-ras and N-ras oncogenes were amplified from formalin-fixedand paraffin-embedded tissues by the polymerase chain reaction(PCR) and analyzed for activating mutations involving codons12, 13 and 61 by oligoncleotide differential hybridization.All nine Zymbal's gland tumors examined, including three papillomas,were found to contain either an Ha-ras or Ki-ras mutation. Thesemutations were located in either codon 13 or 61 of Ha-ras, andin either codon 12 or 13 of Ki-ras. Of the nine mutations, threewere G     

Fluorometric detection of 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline, 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline and their N-acetylated metabolites excreted by the rat

A sensitive fluorometric method has been developed for the determinationof carcinogenic amino imidazoazaarenes (AIA compounds) whichare formed during the cooking of food. They are separated byt.l.c. followed by spraying with dimethylsulfoxide and visualizationby long-wave u.v. light. Quantification is done by fluorescencescanning. This method was applied to the determination of themetabolites in urine and feces from rats given 5 mg/kg bodywt i.p. of 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ) and2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (MeIQ). Metabolitesextractable by organic solvents were identified as the parentcompound and their N-acetylated derivatives (AcIQ, AcMeIQ).Between 0.1 and 1% of the administered dose was recovered asthese metabolites in urine during 24 h. The amounts of MeIQand AcMeIQ found in feces were 1 and 3% respectively. AcIQ wasnot detected in feces while IQ, MeIQ and their N-acetylatedderivatives were found in bile. The metabolites in urine wereidentified by m.s. and in feces by t.l.c. and their fluorescentproperties. When IQ or MeIQ were incubated with rat liver cytosolin the presence of acetyl-CoA, N-acetylated derivatives wereformed. The reverse reaction, deacetylation, also took placein the liver cytosol, with K_m values of 67 and 32 µM forAcIQ and AcMeIQ respectively.     

Infrequent mutation of ha-ras and p53 in rat mammary carcinomas induced by 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine

2-Amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine(PhlP) is the most abundant of the heterocyclic amines, a group of potent carcinogens contained in cooked meat and fish. Female F344 rats fed a diet containing 100 or 400 ppm PhIP developed mammary carcinomas within 104 or 52 wk, respectively, at the rate of 47% for each group; these carcinomas were examined for mutations in three members of the ras gene family and in the p53 gene. Single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis and direct sequencing demonstrated a G←A transition at the second position of Ha-ras codon 12, with the resultant substitution of glutamic acid for glycine, in two of 10 carcinomas induced by 100 ppm PhIP and in one of seven induced by the 400 ppm dose. No mutations in Ki-ras or N-ras were detected. cDNA polymerase chain reaction-SSCP analysis and direct sequencing demonstrated a G←Ttransversion at the third position of p53 codon 130, with the resultant substitution of asparagine for lysine, in one of the 10 carcinomas induced by 100 ppm of PhIP for which freshly frozen samples were available. PhlP-induced rat mammary carcinogenesis can be regarded as a unique system in that rat mammary carcinomas are negative for ras and p53 mutations. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Purification of the food-borne carcinogens 2-amino-3-methylimidazo [4,5-f]quinoline and 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline in heated meat products by immunoaffinity chromatography

A rapid and simple scheme has been developed for the isolation and purification of two of the major mutagenic heterocyclic amines formed in heated beef products by affinity chromatography using monoclonal antibodies which recognize 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ). Two cell lines producing IgG antibodies were established following fusion of Sp2 or P3x.63 myeloma cells with spleen cells of immunized BALB/cby mice. The antigen was bovine gamma globulin haptenized with 2-(3-carboxypropylthio)-3-methylimidazo-[4,5-f]quinoline. The antibodies were immobilized on CNBr-activated Sepharose 4B. IQ and MeIQx formed in heated beef products were partially purified by XAD-2 chromatography and then applied to the affinity columns. Purification by affinity chromatography was adequate for subsequent quantitative analysis by HPLC with UV detection. With this purification scheme as little as 1 g of beef extract or 15 g of fried beef could be assayed for IQ and MeIQx at the part per billion level. Both antibodies had similar affinity constants for IQ (9.3 X 10(6) and 6.7 X 10(6) M-1) and for MeIQx (7.1 X 10(5) and 2.7 X 10(5) M-1) and both were suitable for immunoaffinity purification of IQ from complex mixtures. MAb2 could be used as well to selectively remove MeIQx from meat products after partial purification by XAD-2. MAb1, despite having a 3-fold higher affinity than MAb2 for MeIQx, could not be used for affinity chromatography for this mutagen.     

Activated oncogenes in a rat hepatocellular carcinoma induced by 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline

The presence of activated oncogenes in several rat hepatocellular carcinomas induced by 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]-quinoline (IQ) was examined by NIH 3T3 cell transfection assay and Southern blot analysis. In one tumor, IQ4, rat H-ras-1 and another oncogene that did not belong to the ras family were found to be activated.     

Comparison of initiation potential of 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline and 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline in an in vivo carcinogen bioassay system

A new approach to low-dose assessment of carcinogenic potential was applied to food contaminant pyrolysis products. Single intragastric doses of the carcinogenic pyrolysates, 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ) or 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline MeIQx), were given 12 h after two-thirds partial hepatectomy (PH) to F344 male rats. Two weeks thereafter the animals were placed on a basal diet containing 0.05% phenobarbital (PB) for 6 weeks combined with an i.p. administration of D-galactosamine (300 mg/kg) to facilitate growth of initiated cells. Both IQ and MeIQx clearly caused initiation of hepatocarcinogenesis as revealed by induction of preneoplastic placental-form glutathione-S-transferase-positive (GST-P+) hepatocyte foci composed of more than three cells (approximately 30 microns in diameter). A similar protocol without performance of PH before pyrolysate administration gave a positive result only for the IQ-treated group indicating that cell proliferation is essential during the low-dose, one-shot initiation step. IQ was found to be two to three times more potent in inducing GST-P+ foci using both protocols. The current approach could find application in practical carcinogenicity screening of chemicals, for which only small amounts are available.     

Sex differences in the formation and persistence of DNA adducts of 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ) in CDF1 mice

The potent food mutagen 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]-quinoline (IQ) is carcinogenic in the CDF1 mouse, affecting the liver, lungs and forestomach. Females are approximately twice as sensitive as males to liver tumor induction. Using 32P-postlabeling assays, the dose-response of IQ-DNA adduct formation was determined in various organs of male and female CDF1 mice after single p.o. doses of IQ. To determine the possible correlation between IQ-DNA adduct formation, persistence and tumorigenicity in target organs, young adult male and female CDF1 mice were treated with a single p.o. dose (50 mg/kg) of IQ, and IQ-DNA adducts were isolated and quantitated in liver, lungs, forestomach, small intestine and large intestine over a 24 day period. In the range of 5-50 mg IQ/kg, IQ-DNA adduct formation was related to dose in all organs examined (liver, lungs, stomach, small intestine, large intestine). Total adduct formation (expressed as relative adduct labeling, RAL) 24 h after administration was highest in the liver (6.4-6.9 x 10(-7)) with lower levels, in decreasing order, in the large intestine, small intestine (non-target organs), forestomach and lungs (target organs). In all cases the major adduct, comprising 68-79% of the total, co-chromatographed with standard N-(deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-IQ. Up to three additional IQ-specific adducts could be detected. Except in the liver, adduct levels 24 h after administration of IQ were 2- to 3-fold higher in females than in males. There was no preferential retention of any one of the four adducts 1-24 days after administration of IQ. Beyond day 4 after administration, total adducts in the liver of females were approximately 2-fold higher than those in males, and the rate of removal from female lung was approximately 2-fold faster than that from male lung during the 1-24 day time period. Both these findings correspond to the known sex differences in IQ-induced tumor incidences in these organs. The higher adduct levels in non-target organs (intestines) as compared to target organs (lungs and stomach), combined with the absence of differential persistence of any individual adduct indicates that, in addition to adduct formation and persistence, other factors contribute to the target organ specificity of IQ in CDF1 mice.     

Parp-1 deficiency does not enhance liver carcinogenesis induced by 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline in mice

The susceptibility of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (Parp-1) knockout mice to 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ)-induced liver carcinogenesis was analyzed. Twelve-week-old male Parp-1(+/+), Parp-1(+/-) and Parp-1(-/-) mice of the C57BL/6 congenic strain were fed a diet containing IQ at a concentration of 300 ppm or a control diet for 60 weeks. Hepatocellular carcinomas were observed only in 1/19, 2/18 and 1/17 of the Parp-1(-/-), Parp-1(+/-) and Parp-1(+/+) mice, respectively. Parp-1 deficiency did not affect the susceptibility of mice to carcinogenicity of IQ, which produces bulky DNA adducts that are repaired mainly through the nucleotide excision repair pathway. This result is in sharp contrast to the increased susceptibility of Parp-1(-/-) mice to carcinogenesis induced by alkylating agents that produce DNA damage repaired mainly through base excision repair and DNA strand break repair pathways.     

Similar patterns of DNA adduct formation of 2-amino-3-methylimidazo [4,5-f]quinoline in the Fischer 344 rat, CDF1 mouse, cynomolgus monkey and Salmonella typhimurium

2-Amino-3-methylimidazo [4,5-f]quinoline (IQ) is a known liver carcinogen in the Fischer 344 rat, the CDF1 mouse and in the cynomolgus monkey. Using 32P-postlabeling assays, we compared IQ-DNA adduct formation in the liver of IQ-treated Fischer 344 rats, CDF1 mice and cynomolgus monkeys with that in Salmonella typhimurium (strain TA98) incubated with IQ (in the presence of a liver S9 activating system) or N-hydroxy-IQ. Up to five adducts could be detected, the pattern of which was identical in all cases. The major adduct co-chromatographed with standard N-(deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-IQ in all cases and comprised 54.7-82.8% of the total. The four minor adducts were not identified. It is concluded that N-(deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-IQ is the major IQ-DNA adduct under all experimental conditions and that the pattern of N-hydroxy-IQ-DNA adducts is identical to that found in the liver of animals exposed to IQ, and to that found after reacting IQ with DNA in the presence of a liver S9 activating system. Thus, N-hydroxylation of IQ is a critical step in the formation of IQ-DNA adducts.