The 32P-post-labeling method in quantitative DNA adduct dosimetry of 2-acetylaminofluorene-induced mutagenicity in Chinese hamster ovary cells and Salmonella typhimurium TA1538

The usefulness of the ³²P-post-labeling/t.l.c. method for quantitativeDNA adduct dosimetry was evaluated. 2-Acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF)-DNAadducts from three systems were characterized qualitativelyand quantitatively by the ³H-radiolabeled technique with subsequentanalysis by h.p.l.c. (pre-labeling method) and by the ³²-post-labelingmethod. Both methods showed N-acetoxyacetylaminofluorene (N-OAc-AAF)reaction products with calf thymus DNA were predominantly N-(deoxyguanosm-8-yl)-2-acetylaminofhiorene(dG-C8-AAF) with some N-(deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-2-amino-fluorene(dG-C8-AF) and N-(deoxyguanosin-N²-yl)-2-acetyl-aminofluorene(dG-N2-AAF). In contrast, Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cellstreated with [³H]N-OAc-AAF gave 80 or 90% dG-C8-AF adducts and20 or 10% dG-C8-AAF adducts with the post- or pre-labeling method,respectively. Likewise in CHO cells treated with 2-AAF in thepresence of rat liver homogenate, {small tilde}90% dG-C8-AFand 10% dG-C8-AAF adducts were detected using the ³²P-post-labelingmethod. In Salmonella typhimurium strain TA1538 treated with2-AAF or [³H]2-AAF in the presence of a rat liver homogenate,one adduct, dG-C8-AF, was identified. Similar quantitative resultswere also obtained with the two methods. However, the ³²P-post-labelingmethod was more sensitive and also eliminated the use of radiolabeled-mutagentreatments. Quantitative DNA adduct dosimetry was applied toAAF-induced mutagenesis in the S. typhimurium and CHO/HPRT mutationassays. A linear and reproducible relationship existed betweendG-C8-AF levels and AAF-induced mutants in both systems.     

Immunocytological detection of AAF-DNA adducts in HeLa cell nuclei

Acetylaminofluorene-DNA adducts (AAF-DNA) were detected in the nuclei of HeLa cells exposed to N-acetoxy-2-acetylaminofluorene (N-Ac-AAF), using an immunocytological technique and specific antibodies directed against AAF modified DNA. The proportion of cells exhibiting specific nuclear immunoreactivity was dose-dependent. The time course of disappearance of adduct specific nuclear immunoreactivity was compared with removal of N-(deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-2-acetylaminofluorene (dG-C8-AAF) and other adducts.     

Comparison between DNA adduct formation and tumorigenesis in livers and bladders of mice chronically fed 2-acetylaminofluorene

Female BALB/c mice continuously fed 2-acetylaminofluorene (AAF) develop liver and bladder tumors. The incidence of liver tumors is linearly related to the carcinogen concentration in the diet, while the tumor response in the bladder is markedly non-linear. In the current experiments, liver and bladder DNA adducts were measured in female BALB/c mice fed several different concentrations of AAF for 28 days. The adduct concentrations were then compared to the previously reported incidences of neoplastic and preneoplastic lesions in these tissues. In initial experiments, mice were fed either 30 or 150 mg [ring-3H]AAF/kg diet for 21 days. Liver DNA adducts were identified by HPLC, which indicated the presence of one major adduct, N-(deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-2-aminofluorene (dG-C8-AF). This adduct was also the major product detected by 32P-postlabeling in liver and bladder DNA from mice fed the same concentrations of AAF for 28 days. Radioimmunoassays, conducted with an antibody specific for dG-C8-AF, showed that steady-state concentrations of dG-C8-AF were obtained at 28 days of AAF feeding; thus, this time point was used to determine the relationship between the dose of AAF and the adduct levels. In mice fed nine concentrations of AAF (5-150 mg AAF/kg diet), the adduct concentrations after 28 days of feeding were linearly related to dose in both the liver and bladder, with the adduct concentration being approximately 3-fold greater in the bladder. These results indicate that a linear correlation exists between the hepatic concentration of dG-C8-AF and the liver tumor incidence. In the bladder however, a linear relationship was not observed, which suggests that additional tissue-specific factors, such as toxicity, are essential components for tumorigenesis in this tissue.     

The binding of N-hydroxy-2-acetylaminofluorene to DNA and repair of the adducts in primary rat hepatocyte cultures

Primary cultures of rat hepatocytes were exposed to [ring-³H]-N-hydroxy-2-acetylaminofluorene(N-OH-AAF) for 4 h, and the RNA and DNA nucleoside adducts wereisolated and identified by h.p.l.c. The DNA adducts were shownto be N-(deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-2-acetylaminofluorene (dG-C8-AAF),N-(deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-2-aminofluorene (dG-C8-AF), and 3-(deoxy-guanosin-8-yl)-2-acetylaminofluorene(dG-N2-AAF), while the RNA adducts were N-(guanosin-8-yl)-2-acetyl-aminofluorene,and N-(guanosin-8-yl)-2-aminofluorene. The removal of theseadducts was measured up to 38 h following the cessation of exposureof the hepatocytes to N-OH-AAF. The dG-C8-AAF adduct was removedwith a half-life of approximately 10 h, while dG-N²-AAF anddG-C8-AF remained constant for 14 h, followed by a slow rateof removal. The dG-C8-AAF adduct initially composed about 60%of the total DNA adducts of primary hepatocytes in contrastto the 20% found in liver in vivo. The formation of the 3 DNAadducts and the different rates of repair indicate that primarycultured rat hepatocytes may be a valuable system to study initiationof liver carcinogenesis by N-OH-AAF.     

Role of the intestinal microflora in the formation of DNA and haemoglobin adducts in rats treated with 2-nitrofluorene and 2-aminofluorene by gavage

The role of the intestinal microflora in the metabolic activationof nitroarenes and arylamines was studied in female Wistar ratsthat received a dose of 1 mmol/kg 2-aminofluorene (2-AF) insunflower oil by gavage. Another group received the same doseof 2-nitrofluorene (2-NF). A third group of animals was usedas controls. Germfree (GF) rats, GF rats with a rat microflora(RM) and GF rats with a human microflora (HM) were treated.After treatment with 2-AF significant differences were observedin the formation of haemoglobin (Hb) adducts and DNA adducts.The 2-AF-Hb adduct level (mean ± SD) observed in GF rats(0.57 ± 0.13 µmol/g Hb) was considerably lowerthan that observed in RM rats (5.1 ± 0.6) and in HM rats(6.2 ± 13). DNA adduct levels showed the opposite pattern:levels of adducts co-migrating with deoxyguanosin-8-yl-aminofluorene(dG-C8-AF) in liver tissue were higher in GF rats (4.6 ±1.4 fmol/µg DNA) as compared to RM rats (2.6 ±0.04) or HM rats (2.0 ± 0.7). In lung tissue and whiteblood cells a similar influence of the intestinal microfloraon DNA adduct levels was observed. These results suggest thatthe intestinal microflora cleaves conjugates of 2-AF or N-hydroxy-2-AF,thus facilitating entero-hepatic recirculation of these compoundsand enhancing the formation of reactive intermediates bindingto Hb. The latter is not observed for DNA adduct formation,indicating that most of these adducts have been formed aftera single passage through the liver. After treatment with 2-NF,Hb and DNA adduct levels were much lower. An adduct spot wasobserved that was not presentin rats that received 2-AF. InGF animals only very low levels of DNA adducts co-migratingwith dG-C8-AF or deoxyguanosin-8-yl-acetyl-aminofluorene andno Hb adducts were observed, indicating that the metabolic activityof the microflora is an essential step in both Hb and DNA adductformation.     

Carcinogen-DNA adducts in cultures of rat and human hepatocytes.

Exposure to chemical carcinogens can often be identified by detection of DNA adduct lesions. Primary cultures of isolated rat and human hepatocytes were exposed to 2-acetyl-aminofluorene (AAF), 4-aminobiphenyl (ABP), or benzo[a]pyrene (BP). The isolated DNA from the exposed cells was analyzed using the 32P-post-labeling assay. A greater total of carcinogen-DNA adducts, 2-12-fold, were observed in human hepatocytes than rat hepatocytes at the same concentrations. The predominant DNA adducts for each carcinogen were the same between rat and human cells. The N-(deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-2-aminofluorene (dG-C8-AF) was the major AAF-DNA adduct. The N-(deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-4-aminobiphenyl (dG-C8-ABP) was the major ABP-DNA adduct. In the rat N2-[10 beta-(7 beta, 8 alpha, 9 alpha-trihydroxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene)yl] deoxyguanosine (dG-N2-BP) and two unidentified adducts were nearly equivalent in amount, while the major BP-DNA adducts in the humans was the dG-N2-BP. The rat hepatocyte in vitro results are comparable to the predominant adducts found with rats exposed in vivo. The two different cultures of human hepatocytes demonstrated qualitative and quantitative differences in specific DNA adducts from rat hepatocytes. This study and others using human hepatocyte cultures demonstrate that this in vitro system can provide useful information for assessing human carcinogenic hazards.     

DNA adduct formation in liver following the administration of [3H]2-nitrofluorene to rats in vivo.

The formation of RNA and DNA adducts by the environmental pollutant 2-nitrofluorene (2-NF) has been investigated in rat liver in vivo. The adduct pattern was studied after trifluoroacetic acid hydrolysis of DNA or RNA, followed by analysis of the adducts by HPLC. This was also done by enzymatic hydrolysis of DNA, followed by 32P-postlabeling. Both after oral and i.v. administration of [3H]2-NF, one major adduct was found. This adduct did not co-migrate with one of the known adducts of 2-(acetyl)-aminofluorene, N-deoxyguanosin-8-yl-2-aminofluorene (dG-C8-AF), which could have been formed after nitroreduction of 2-NF. 32P-Postlabeling revealed that two minor adducts were also formed, one of which was dG-C8-AF. The observation that the major adduct was also formed after i.v. administration of 2-NF to bile duct-catheterized rats makes a role for the intestinal microflora in the formation of this adduct very unlikely. In vitro experiments with inhibitors of the enzyme epoxide hydrolase indicated that epoxidation of 2-NF may play a role in the microsomal bioactivation of this compound.     

Role of TP53 in repair of N-(deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-4-aminobiphenyl adducts in human transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder

The global genomic repair of DNA adducts was examined in human papillary transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) cell lines after exposure to N:-hydroxy-4-acetylaminobiphenyl (N-OH-AABP), the proximate carcinogenic metabolite of the human bladder carcinogen 4-aminobiphenyl (ABP). (32)P-post-labeling analysis of TCC cultures exposed to N-OH-AABP revealed a major adduct, identified as the 3',5'-bisphosphate derivative of N-(deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-4-aminobiphenyl (dG-C8-ABP). The amount of adduct formation in TCC10 was dependent upon the dose and the duration of exposure and ranged between 1 and 5 adducts/10(7) nucleotides. To test if p53 regulates repair of the dG-C8-ABP adduct in genomic DNA, an isogeneic set of cell lines was obtained by infection of the TCC10 cultures with a retroviral construct expressing a trans-dominant mutant of p53, namely a Val-->Ala mutation at codon 143. The TDM143-TCC10 line expressing the mutant form of p53 was selected. The rate of repair of dG-C8-ABP was compared between TCC10 and TDM143-TCC10 cultures after treatment with 15 microM N-OH-AABP. The rate of disappearance of the adduct was monitored over a period of time after chemical treatment. (32)P-post-labeling analysis of dG-C8-ABP in parental TCC10 showed its rapid removal, the majority of adducts disappearing within 48 h. In contrast to TCC10, TDM143-TCC10 was relatively slower in removal of dG-C8-ABP. After 24 h DNA repair TDM143-TCC10 showed an approximately 3-fold greater amount of dG-C8-ABP compared with TCC10. These results imply that p53 plays a role in the repair of ABP adducts and that in p53 null cells the unrepaired DNA damage could cause accumulation of mutations, which might contribute to increased genomic instability and neoplastic progression.     

Analysis of DNA adducts in putative premalignant hepatic nodules and nontarget tissues of rats during 2-acetylaminofluorene carcinogenesis

Exposure of rats to a standard four-cycle feeding regimen of 0.06% 2-acetylaminofluorene (AAF) results in the formation of putatively premalignant hepatic nodules, but the types and magnitude of DNA adducts formed in these nodules has not been previously examined. By using a sensitive 32P-adduct assay (R. C. Gupta, Cancer Res., 45: 5656-5662, 1985), we analyzed the DNA adduct lesions in individual hepatic nodules at various times during and after exposure to AAF. Kidney, spleen, and testis were included as nontarget tissues. No qualitative difference was observed in the DNA adducts found in hepatic nodules and nontarget tissues; however, quantitative differences occurred. At least one unknown and two known (dG-C8-AF and dG-N2-AAF) DNA adducts were detected, with dG-C8-AF being predominantly (96-98%) formed, in all tissues examined. At the end of the first three weeks of AAF feeding, the concentration of the deacetylated adduct dG-C8-AF in liver (223 fmol/micrograms DNA) was found to be about 2, 6, and 5 times higher than in kidney, spleen, and testis, respectively. The concentration of the N2-acetylated adduct in liver (4.5 fmol/micrograms DNA) was 4-fold higher than in kidney and strikingly higher (51- and 42-fold, respectively) than in spleen and testis. At the end of the fourth feeding cycle, total DNA adducts measured in the hepatic nodules ranged from 30-100 fmol/micrograms DNA, while the "surrounding liver," kidney, spleen, and testis showed 235, 218, 62, and 28 fmol adducts/micrograms DNA, respectively. Sixty days following the cessation of AAF, the binding in both the persistent nodules and liver had decreased to 7% of their respective levels measured at the end of the fourth cycle, while adducts in kidney, spleen, and testis were 32%, 18% and 19%. After 88 days, the binding levels in the nontarget tissues declined further, but no additional adduct removal occurred in the nodules. Our data indicate that (a) although the metabolic apparatus for activation of AAF is diminished in the hepatic nodules, a significant level of adduct formation occurs in the cells of this putative, premalignant lesion, and (b) unlike in the nontarget tissues, repair processes in the premalignant nodules may not be operative several weeks after the cessation of AAF exposure.     

Mutations induced by aminofluorene-DNA adducts during replication in human cells

To gain insight into the mechanisms by which carcinogens induce mutations in human cells, we treated a shuttle vector, pZ189, carrying the supF gene as the target for mutations with N-acetoxy-N-trifluoroacetyl-2-aminofluorene (N-AcO-TFA-AF). The plasmids were allowed to replicate in human cell line 293, and the progeny plasmids were examined for the frequency and kinds of mutations induced in supF, as well as their specific location in the sequence of the supF gene. The plasmids were reacted with N-AcO-TFA-AF so as to obtain the deacetylated adduct N-(deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-2-aminofluorene (dG-C8-AF), the principal adduct formed in DNA when mammalian cells are exposed to reactive derivatives of 2-acetylaminofluorene (AAF), including N-acetoxy-2-acetylaminofluorene. The results showed there was a linear relationship between the number of dG-C8-AF adducts per plasmid and the frequency of supF mutants induced. DNA sequencing of 47 independent mutants obtained from doses of N-AcO-TFA-AF that increased the frequency of mutants 9-15 times the background frequency and three independent mutants from lower doses showed that 92% contained point mutations, i.e. changes affecting one, or two, or three nearby bases, and that all of these point mutations involved G.C base pairs. Ninety eight percent of the point mutations were base substitutions, predominantly G.C----T.A transversions. 46% of these mutations occurred at four out of the 85 bp in the target gene (hot spots). The most prominent mutation hot spot was also the most prominent hot spot for adduct formation as judged by the frequency of termination of in vitro polymerization by the Klenow fragment on N-AcO-TFA-AF-treated plasmids.     

N-acetylated and deacetylated 4'-fluoro-4-aminobiphenyl and 4-aminobiphenyl adducts differ in their ability to inhibit DNA replication of single-stranded M13 in vitro and of single-stranded phi X174 in Escherichia coli.

Calf thymus single-stranded (ss) DNA was modified with the N-sulfate conjugate of N-hydroxy-2-acetylaminofluorene (N-OH-AAF), N-hydroxy-4'-fluoro-4-acetylaminobiphenyl (N-OH-FAABP) or N-hydroxy-4-acetylaminobiphenyl (N-OH-AABP) to yield predominantly N-acetylated adducts of 2-aminofluorene, 4-aminobiphenyl and 4'-fluoro-4-amino-biphenyl respectively to C8 of deoxyguanosine (dG-C8-AAF, dG-C8-AABP and dG-C8-FAABP). The modified DNAs were used as templates for in vitro DNA synthesis. DNA replication on the randomly primed template was inhibited as compared to control (unmodified) DNA to the same extent by all three types of adducts, irrespective of whether polymerization was performed by Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I, modified T7 DNA polymerase or Thermus aquaticus (Taq) DNA polymerase. In addition, all three types of adducts completely blocked replication of ss phi X174 in an E. coli host: on average one adduct per DNA molecule was sufficient to inactivate the bacteriophage. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of DNA fragments synthesized by E. coli DNA polymerase I on FAABP- and AABP-modified ss M13mp9 DNA templates, showed that termination occurred predominantly one nucleotide before (and occasionally opposite) a modified deoxyguanosine in the template. However, the deacetylated adducts, dG-C8-AF, dG-C8-ABP and dG-C8-FABP (obtained by reacting DNA with their N-trifluoroacetyl-N-acetoxy esters) were frequently bypassed during replication of ss phi X174 in E. coli, though with different efficiencies: 1 out 7, 1 out of 2 and 1 out of 3 adducts on average respectively caused bacteriophage inactivation. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that termination of DNA synthesis occurred at least as frequently opposite as 3' to a modified deoxyguanosine in the template.     

Isolation and characterization of oligodeoxynucleotides containing dG-N2-AAF and oxidation products of dG-C8-AF

Decadeoxynucleotides containing N-(deoxyguanosine-N2-yl)-2-acetylaminofluorene (dG-N2-AAF) and three recently described products of oxidation of N-(deoxyguanosine-8-yl)-2-aminofluorene (dG-C8-AF) were isolated and characterized. dG-N2-AAF was synthesized; its structure was established by mass spectroscopic and 1H-NMR analysis. Decadeoxynucleotides containing dG-N2-AAF and dG-C8-AAF were prepared by permitting d(CACTAGTCAC) to react with N-acetoxy-AAF and separating the products by HPLC. The decamer containing dG-C8-AAF was incubated under aerobic alkaline conditions. In the presence of 2-mercaptoethanol, the adduct is deacetylated; in the absence of antioxidant, decamers bearing oxidation products are formed. Homogeneity of the modified oligomers was established by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The modified oligodeoxy-nucleotides will be used to introduce dG-N2-aminofluorene adducts and oxidative lesions, site-specifically, into DNA, thereby to correlate these adducts with their mutagenic properties.     

Formation and removal of specific acetylaminofluorene-DNA adducts in mouse and human cells measured by radioimmunoassay.

Rabbit antiserum prepared against N-(guanosin-8-yl)-acetylaminofluorene was utilized in radioimmunoassay to detect formation and removal of C-8 adducts from the DNA of cultured cells exposed to N-acetoxy-2-acetylaminoflorene. The assay was able to quantitate both acetylated and deacetylated C-8 adducts between 0.5 and 5 pmol while the N2 adduct, 3-(deoxyguanosin-N2-yl)acetylaminofluorene, was not detected below 160 pmol. By varying the proportions of acetylated and deacetylated C-8 adducts in the radioimmunoassay, a series of standard curves were developed from which the relative proportion of each adduct could be determined in unknown mixtures. DNA from mouse epidermal cells and human skin fibroblasts exposed to N-acetoxy-2-acetylaminofluorene in culture contained only 3 and 5% respectively, of the C-8 adduct in the acetylated form. Quantitation by radioimmunoassay of total C-8 adducts bound to DNA yielded values approximately 25% lower than total carcinogen binding determined by radiolabeling. When removal of C-8 adducts was followed over a 23-hr, carcinogen-free culture period, mouse and human cells removed 40 and 50%, respectively, of bound acetylated and deacetylated C-8 adducts. These studies demonstrate the versatility of radioimmunoassay as a molecular probe for studies of chemical carcinogens.     

Microfluorometric determination of DNA adducts in immunofluorescent-stained liver tissue from rats fed 2-acetylaminofluorene

The intensities of immunofluorescence in nuclei stained by an antiserum specific for the DNA adduct N-deoxyguanosin(8-yl)aminofluorene (dG-8-AF), were quantified by microfluorometry in frozen liver sections from male Fischer rats fed 2-acetylaminofluorene (AAF). Results of previous studies demonstrated that dG-8-AF is the predominant adduct (80-100%) formed in livers of rats fed AAF continuously, and that nuclei of hepatocytes and bile duct epithelial cells in rats fed AAF exhibit an adduct-specific immunofluorescence. In the present investigation, nuclear staining for dG-8-AF was quantified by microfluorometry in liver sections from male Fischer rats fed 0.02% AAF continuously for 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 28 days. Microfluorometric determinations of the intensities of nuclear immunofluorescence staining within periportal, midzonal, and centrilobular hepatocytes and bile duct epithelial cells revealed that levels of the dG-8-AF adduct increased in these cells during AAF feeding, reaching a plateau by 12 days. However, significant differences were detected in dG-8-AF levels within cells of each lobular area. Nuclei of periportal hepatocytes exhibited the most intense immunofluorescence, nuclei of centrilobular hepatocytes and bile duct epithelial cells emitted the least intense fluorescence, and nuclei of midzonal hepatocytes exhibited an intermediate fluorescence intensity. Quantitation of whole-liver levels of the dG-8-AF adduct by RIA, after extraction of DNA, also revealed that adduct accumulation reached a plateau by 12 days of AAF feeding. Thus, similar profiles of adduct accumulation were obtained by microfluorometric analysis of immunofluorescence staining within frozen liver sections, and by RIA analysis of DNA extracted from whole livers. The periportal concentration of DNA adducts in livers of rats continuously fed a carcinogenic dose of AAF may be an important early event in AAF-induced liver tumorigenesis.     

Detection and quantification of 4-ABP adducts in DNA from bladder cancer patients

We analyzed bladder DNA from 27 cancer patients for dG-C8-4-aminobiphenyl (dG-C8-ABP) adducts using the liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method with a 700 attomol (1 adduct in 10(9) bases) detection limit. Hemoglobin (Hb) 4-aminobiphenyl (4-ABP) adduct levels were measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. After isolation of dG-C8-ABP by immunoaffinity chromatography and further purification, deuterated (d9) dG-C8-ABP (MW=443 Da) was added to each sample. Structural evidence and adduct quantification were determined by selected reaction monitoring, based on the expected adduct ion [M+H+]+1, at m/z 435 with fragmentation to the product ion at m/z 319, and monitoring of the transition for the internal standard, m/z 444-->328. The method was validated by analysis of DNA (100 microg each) from calf thymus; livers from ABP-treated and untreated rats; human placentas; and TK6 lymphoblastoid cells. Adduct was detected at femtomol levels in DNA from livers of ABP-treated rats and calf thymus, but not in other controls. The method was applied to 41 DNA samples (200 microg each) from 27 human bladders; 28 from tumor and 14 from surrounding non-tumor tissue. Of 27 tissues analyzed, 44% (12) contained 5-80 dG-C8-ABP adducts per 10(9) bases; only 1 out of 27 (4%) contained adduct in both tumor and surrounding tissues. The Hb adduct was detected in samples from all patients, at levels of 12-1960 pg per gram Hb. There was no correlation between levels of DNA and Hb adducts. The presence of DNA adducts in 44% of the subjects and high levels of Hb adducts in these non-smokers indicate environmental sources of exposure to 4-ABP.     

Immunofluorescent localization and quantitation of 3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxythymidine (azt) incorporated into chromosomal DNA of human, hamster and mouse-cell lines

The incorporation of [H-3] AZT into the DNA of cultured hamster (Chinese hamster ovary, CHO) mouse (NIH 3T3) and human (HL60) cells, was studied by radiolabeling, radioimmunoassay, and localization of the drug in chromosomes by immunohistochemistry. Incorporation of AZT into DNA, in cells exposed to 0.8 mM [H-3] AZT for 24 hours, showed values of 0.82 pmol/mug DNA for HL60, 0.84 pmol/mug DNA for CHO and 4.49 pmol/mug for NIH 3T3 cells. Similar results were obtained by radioimmunoassay with an anti-AZT antibody. Indirect immunofluorescence using the same anti-AZT antiserum demonstrated the chromosomal localization of AZT and showed higher concentrations of AZT in the telomeric regions of CHO cell chromosomes.     

Formation of unique arylamine:DNA adducts from 2-aminofluorene activated by prostaglandin H synthase

Prostaglandin H synthase in the presence of arachidonic acid catalyzes the peroxidative metabolism of 2-aminofluorene (2-AF) to an electrophile(s) which binds covalently to calf thymus DNA in vitro. Moreover, this electrophile(s) appears distinct from the classical 2-AF-derived electrophiles, N-hydroxy-2-AF and the 2-AF nitrenium ion. Both the prostaglandin H synthase:arachidonic acid and horseradish peroxidase:hydrogen peroxide systems were used to investigate the binding of [3H]-2-AF to DNA and the nature of the DNA adducts formed from peroxidative activation of 2-AF. Modification of DNA by N-hydroxy-2-AF under mildly acidic conditions was used as a reference system in these studies and yielded a single 2-AF:nucleoside adduct, identified as N-(deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-2-AF (C8-dGuo-AF). Enzymatic hydrolysis of DNA modified by 2-AF activated in either of the peroxidase systems liberated 2-AF:nucleoside adducts that differed considerably from C8-dGuo-AF in chromatographic and extraction properties. C8-dGuo-AF from DNA hydrolysates was easily extracted into n-butyl alcohol and adsorbed by Sephadex LH-20 columns. In contrast, the peroxidase-derived adducts were poorly extracted into n-butyl alcohol and were not retained on Sephadex LH-20 columns. Experimental evidence suggests the peroxidase-derived adducts may possess a negative charge at neutral pH. Since C8-dGuo-AF is the only 2-AF:nucleoside adduct formed when 2-AF is activated via N-hydroxylation, these new adducts represent a marker unique to peroxidative activation of 2-AF. Therefore, 2-AF:DNA adducts can be used as a differential end point with which to assess the relative roles of N-hydroxylation and peroxidation in the metabolic activation of 2-AF in cell culture and in target tissues in vivo.     

Preferential incorporation of 3′-azido-2′,3′-dideoxythymidine into telomeric DNA and Z-DNA—containing regions of chinese hamster ovary cells

3′-Azido-2′,3′-dideoxythymidine (azidothymidine; AZT) induces bone marrow toxicity in patients chronically given therapeutic doses of drug and is tumorigenic in rodents, inducing squamous cell tumors in vaginal tissues of mice and rats. In the study reported here, we explored the incorporation of AZT into specific regions of mammalian chromosomal DNA. CHO cells were exposed to AZT for 4 h, allowed to complete at least one cell cycle, and then arrested in metaphase with colchicine. Regions of concentrated AZT incorporation were identified in individual metaphase chromosomes by immunohistochemistry using antiserum specific for AZT and a secondary antiserum with a streptavidin—Texas red end point. These studies demonstrated that most of the intensely staining regions were chromosomal ends or telomeres. When 18 metaphases were examined, all telomeres but one (39 of 40) were positive at least once. Using an anti—Z-DNA antibody, chromosomal regions containing DNA in Z conformation were also localized by immunohistochemistry using a rhodamine-conjugated secondary antibody. When metaphase chromosome spreads were stained for either AZT or Z-DNA, ideograms showing localization of AZT (18 metaphases) and DNA in Z configuration (26 metaphases) were drawn for every chromosome of each metaphase examined. These ideograms demonstrated that 60% of the regions that stained positive for AZT were also positive for Z-DNA. Furthermore, slides incubated with both antibodies, using streptavidin—Texas red to identify AZT and fluorescein to identify Z-DNA, confirmed colocalization of the two markers. Additional experiments exploring the induction of chromatin bridges in AZT-treated cells suggest that the analogue may be able to bind to and disrupt the normal functioning of telomeric DNA.     

DNA adduct formation in target tissues of Sprague-Dawley rats, CD-1 mice and A/J mice following tumorigenic doses of 1-nitropyrene

Recent reports have indicated that 1-nitropyrene is tumorigenic in laboratory animals. Since it is generally accepted that the covalent binding of carcinogens to DNA is causally related to tumorigenesis, we used 32P-postlabeling to examine the DNA adducts present in target tissues. 1-Nitropyrene (99.85-99.98% 1-nitropyrene, 0.15-0.02% 1,3-, 1,6- and 1,8-dinitropyrene by mass spectral analyses) was administered to Sprague-Dawley rats, CD-1 mice and A/J mice according to three tumorigenesis protocols. In DNA obtained from the injection site of Sprague-Dawley rats, two major adducts were observed. Based upon their chromatographic behavior and sensitivities to treatment with nuclease P1 and hydrazine, these adducts were identified as N-(deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-1-aminopyrene (dG-C8-AP) and N-(deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-1-amino-3-, 6- and/or 8-nitropyrene (dG-C8-ANP), which are adducts derived from the nitroreduction of 1-nitropyrene and dinitropyrenes respectively. In mammary gland DNA from Sprague-Dawley rats, two adducts were found. One of these had chromatographic characteristics and hydrazine and nuclease P1 sensitivities similar to dG-C8-AP, while the identity of the other adduct is presently unknown. The only DNA adduct detected in the livers of newborn CD-1 mice and the lungs of A/J mice was dG-C8-ANP. The presence of dG-C8-AP in the injection site and mammary gland of the Sprague-Dawley rats indicates that nitroreduction is involved in the metabolic activation of 1-nitropyrene in these tissues. Since an unidentified adduct was also found in the mammary gland, other pathways are important in this tissue. The presence of only dinitropyrene DNA adducts in the livers of CD-1 mice and lungs of A/J mice indicates that dinitropyrenes are activated very efficiently to electrophilic metabolites, to an extent far better than 1-nitropyrene.     

Indirect immunofluorescent localization of benzo[a]pyrene adducted to nucleic acids in cultured mouse keratinocyte nuclei

The localization of benzo[a]pyrene-deoxyguanosine adducts wasstudied by indirect immunofluorescence in cultured BALB/c epidermalcells exposed to (±)7,8-dihydroxy-9,10-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene(the antiisomer) utilizing an antiserum specific for the majorbenzo[a]pyrene-deoxyguanosine adduct in DNA. This antiserumdoes not cross-react with benzo[a]pyrene or DNA alone. Whencultured keratinocytes were incubated with the carcinogen for1 h, the immunofluorescence was localized in the nucleus asintense spots on a background of diffuse fluorescence. Fluorescencewas absent from cells not exposed to carcinogen and from carcinogen-exposedcells incubated with normal rabbit serum in place of the antiserum.Fluorescence was abolished when the specific antiserum was absorbedwith the immunogen DNA prior to incubation with cells, and substantiallydiminished when exposed cells were preincubated with deoxyribonucleasebefore the application of the specific antiserum. Incubationof exposed cells with ribonuclease prior to incubation withthe specific antiserum removed the bright fluorescent spotsand resulted in fluorescent nuclei containing dark spots insimilar frequency. Dose-response studies in which benzo[a]pyrene-deoxyguanosineadducts were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assayand compared with intensity of immunofluorescence demonstratedthat decreasing doses of the carcinogen resulted in fewer numbersof adducts as well as proportionally less fluorescence. Whencells were exposed to non-toxic doses of the activated carcinogenfor 1 h, nuclear fluorescence was detectable in immediately-fixedcells but faded to non-detectable levels when cells were washedand cultured for an additional 24–48 h before fixation.