DNA damage and nucleotide excision repair capacity in healthy individuals

Interindividual differences in DNA repair capacity (DRC) represent an important source of variability in genome integrity and thus influence health risk. In the last decade, DRC measurement has attracted attention as a potential biomarker in cancer prediction. Aim of the present exploratory study was to characterize the variability in DNA damage and DRC on 100 healthy individuals and to identify biological, lifestyle, or genetic factors modulating these parameters. The ultimate goal was to obtain reference data from cancer‐free population, which may constitute background for further investigations on cancer patients. The endogenous DNA damage was measured as a level of DNA single‐strand breaks and DRC, specific for nucleotide excision repair (NER), was evaluated using modified comet assay, following the challenge of peripheral blood mononuclear cells with benzo[a]pyrene diolepoxide. Additionally, genetic polymorphisms in NER genes (XPA, XPC, XPD, and XPG) were assessed. We have observed a substantial interindividual variability for both examined parameters. DNA damage was significantly affected by gender and alcohol consumption (P = 0.003 and P = 0.012, respectively), whereas DRC was associated with family history of cancer (P = 0.012). The stratification according to common variants in NER genes showed that DNA damage was significantly modulated by the presence of the variant T allele of XPC Ala499Val polymorphism (P = 0.01), while DRC was modulated by the presence of the A allele of XPA G23A polymorphism (P = 0.048). Our results indicate the range of endogenous DNA single‐strand breaks and capacity of NER in healthy volunteers as well as the role of potentially relevant confounders. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

A novel regulation mechanism of DNA repair by damage-induced and RAD23-dependent stabilization of xeroderma pigmentosum group C protein

Primary DNA damage sensing in mammalian global genome nucleotide excision repair (GG-NER) is performed by the xeroderma pigmentosum group C (XPC)/HR23B protein complex. HR23B and HR23A are human homologs of the yeast ubiquitin-domain repair factor RAD23, the function of which is unknown. Knockout mice revealed that mHR23A and mHR23B have a fully redundant role in NER, and a partially redundant function in embryonic development. Inactivation of both genes causes embryonic lethality, but appeared still compatible with cellular viability. Analysis of mHR23A/B double-mutant cells showed that HR23 proteins function in NER by governing XPC stability via partial protection against proteasomal degradation. Interestingly, NER-type DNA damage further stabilizes XPC and thereby enhances repair. These findings resolve the primary function of RAD23 in repair and reveal a novel DNA-damage-dependent regulation mechanism of DNA repair in eukaryotes, which may be part of a more global damage-response circuitry.     

MLH1基因415G/C多态与结肠癌遗传易感性的关联研究

目的 探讨MLH1基因415G/C多态与我国汉族人群结肠癌发生的关系.方法 收集97例散发结肠癌患者,138名正常对照,以及5个结肠癌家系的6例结肠癌患者,19名直系亲属.采用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性分析法检测外周血MLH1基因415位点多态性.采用逆转录-聚合酶链反应检测各基因型结肠癌患者正常结肠黏膜的MLH1 mRNA表达.结果 散发结肠癌患者MLH1基因415位点CC基因型频率明显高于正常对照(P=0.035,OR=5.29,95%CI:1.07～26.04).结肠癌家系中患者和直系亲属的C等位基因的频率明显高于散发患者和正常对照(P=0.003和P=0.006).各基因型结肠癌患者正常结肠黏膜的MLH1 mRNA表达差异无统计学意义.结论 MLH1基因415G/C多态可能是我国散发结肠癌的遗传易感因素,但不是通过下调MLH1 mRNA表达而致病的.结肠癌家系中C等位基因携带者患结肠癌可能性更大.     

MLH1基因415G/C多态与结肠癌遗传易感性的关联研究

目的 探讨MLH1基因415G/C多态与我国汉族人群结肠癌发生的关系.方法 收集97例散发结肠癌患者,138名正常对照,以及5个结肠癌家系的6例结肠癌患者,19名直系亲属.采用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性分析法检测外周血MLH1基因415位点多态性.采用逆转录-聚合酶链反应检测各基因型结肠癌患者正常结肠黏膜的MLH1 mRNA表达.结果 散发结肠癌患者MLH1基因415位点CC基因型频率明显高于正常对照(P=0.035,OR=5.29,95%CI:1.07～26.04).结肠癌家系中患者和直系亲属的C等位基因的频率明显高于散发患者和正常对照(P=0.003和P=0.006).各基因型结肠癌患者正常结肠黏膜的MLH1 mRNA表达差异无统计学意义.结论 MLH1基因415G/C多态可能是我国散发结肠癌的遗传易感因素,但不是通过下调MLH1 mRNA表达而致病的.结肠癌家系中C等位基因携带者患结肠癌可能性更大.     

MLH1基因415G/C多态与结肠癌遗传易感性的关联研究

目的 探讨MLH1基因415G/C多态与我国汉族人群结肠癌发生的关系.方法 收集97例散发结肠癌患者,138名正常对照,以及5个结肠癌家系的6例结肠癌患者,19名直系亲属.采用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性分析法检测外周血MLH1基因415位点多态性.采用逆转录-聚合酶链反应检测各基因型结肠癌患者正常结肠黏膜的MLH1 mRNA表达.结果 散发结肠癌患者MLH1基因415位点CC基因型频率明显高于正常对照(P=0.035,OR=5.29,95%CI:1.07～26.04).结肠癌家系中患者和直系亲属的C等位基因的频率明显高于散发患者和正常对照(P=0.003和P=0.006).各基因型结肠癌患者正常结肠黏膜的MLH1 mRNA表达差异无统计学意义.结论 MLH1基因415G/C多态可能是我国散发结肠癌的遗传易感因素,但不是通过下调MLH1 mRNA表达而致病的.结肠癌家系中C等位基因携带者患结肠癌可能性更大.     

MLH1基因415G/C多态与结肠癌遗传易感性的关联研究

目的 探讨MLH1基因415G/C多态与我国汉族人群结肠癌发生的关系.方法 收集97例散发结肠癌患者,138名正常对照,以及5个结肠癌家系的6例结肠癌患者,19名直系亲属.采用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性分析法检测外周血MLH1基因415位点多态性.采用逆转录-聚合酶链反应检测各基因型结肠癌患者正常结肠黏膜的MLH1 mRNA表达.结果 散发结肠癌患者MLH1基因415位点CC基因型频率明显高于正常对照(P=0.035,OR=5.29,95%CI:1.07～26.04).结肠癌家系中患者和直系亲属的C等位基因的频率明显高于散发患者和正常对照(P=0.003和P=0.006).各基因型结肠癌患者正常结肠黏膜的MLH1 mRNA表达差异无统计学意义.结论 MLH1基因415G/C多态可能是我国散发结肠癌的遗传易感因素,但不是通过下调MLH1 mRNA表达而致病的.结肠癌家系中C等位基因携带者患结肠癌可能性更大.     

MLH1基因415G/C多态与结肠癌遗传易感性的关联研究

目的 探讨MLH1基因415G/C多态与我国汉族人群结肠癌发生的关系.方法 收集97例散发结肠癌患者,138名正常对照,以及5个结肠癌家系的6例结肠癌患者,19名直系亲属.采用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性分析法检测外周血MLH1基因415位点多态性.采用逆转录-聚合酶链反应检测各基因型结肠癌患者正常结肠黏膜的MLH1 mRNA表达.结果 散发结肠癌患者MLH1基因415位点CC基因型频率明显高于正常对照(P=0.035,OR=5.29,95%CI:1.07～26.04).结肠癌家系中患者和直系亲属的C等位基因的频率明显高于散发患者和正常对照(P=0.003和P=0.006).各基因型结肠癌患者正常结肠黏膜的MLH1 mRNA表达差异无统计学意义.结论 MLH1基因415G/C多态可能是我国散发结肠癌的遗传易感因素,但不是通过下调MLH1 mRNA表达而致病的.结肠癌家系中C等位基因携带者患结肠癌可能性更大.     

MLH1基因415G/C多态与结肠癌遗传易感性的关联研究

目的 探讨MLH1基因415G/C多态与我国汉族人群结肠癌发生的关系.方法 收集97例散发结肠癌患者,138名正常对照,以及5个结肠癌家系的6例结肠癌患者,19名直系亲属.采用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性分析法检测外周血MLH1基因415位点多态性.采用逆转录-聚合酶链反应检测各基因型结肠癌患者正常结肠黏膜的MLH1 mRNA表达.结果 散发结肠癌患者MLH1基因415位点CC基因型频率明显高于正常对照(P=0.035,OR=5.29,95%CI:1.07～26.04).结肠癌家系中患者和直系亲属的C等位基因的频率明显高于散发患者和正常对照(P=0.003和P=0.006).各基因型结肠癌患者正常结肠黏膜的MLH1 mRNA表达差异无统计学意义.结论 MLH1基因415G/C多态可能是我国散发结肠癌的遗传易感因素,但不是通过下调MLH1 mRNA表达而致病的.结肠癌家系中C等位基因携带者患结肠癌可能性更大.     

MLH1基因415G/C多态与结肠癌遗传易感性的关联研究

目的 探讨MLH1基因415G/C多态与我国汉族人群结肠癌发生的关系.方法 收集97例散发结肠癌患者,138名正常对照,以及5个结肠癌家系的6例结肠癌患者,19名直系亲属.采用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性分析法检测外周血MLH1基因415位点多态性.采用逆转录-聚合酶链反应检测各基因型结肠癌患者正常结肠黏膜的MLH1 mRNA表达.结果 散发结肠癌患者MLH1基因415位点CC基因型频率明显高于正常对照(P=0.035,OR=5.29,95%CI:1.07～26.04).结肠癌家系中患者和直系亲属的C等位基因的频率明显高于散发患者和正常对照(P=0.003和P=0.006).各基因型结肠癌患者正常结肠黏膜的MLH1 mRNA表达差异无统计学意义.结论 MLH1基因415G/C多态可能是我国散发结肠癌的遗传易感因素,但不是通过下调MLH1 mRNA表达而致病的.结肠癌家系中C等位基因携带者患结肠癌可能性更大.     

MLH1基因415G/C多态与结肠癌遗传易感性的关联研究

目的 探讨MLH1基因415G/C多态与我国汉族人群结肠癌发生的关系.方法 收集97例散发结肠癌患者,138名正常对照,以及5个结肠癌家系的6例结肠癌患者,19名直系亲属.采用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性分析法检测外周血MLH1基因415位点多态性.采用逆转录-聚合酶链反应检测各基因型结肠癌患者正常结肠黏膜的MLH1 mRNA表达.结果 散发结肠癌患者MLH1基因415位点CC基因型频率明显高于正常对照(P=0.035,OR=5.29,95%CI:1.07～26.04).结肠癌家系中患者和直系亲属的C等位基因的频率明显高于散发患者和正常对照(P=0.003和P=0.006).各基因型结肠癌患者正常结肠黏膜的MLH1 mRNA表达差异无统计学意义.结论 MLH1基因415G/C多态可能是我国散发结肠癌的遗传易感因素,但不是通过下调MLH1 mRNA表达而致病的.结肠癌家系中C等位基因携带者患结肠癌可能性更大.     

MLH1基因415G/C多态与结肠癌遗传易感性的关联研究

目的 探讨MLH1基因415G/C多态与我国汉族人群结肠癌发生的关系.方法 收集97例散发结肠癌患者,138名正常对照,以及5个结肠癌家系的6例结肠癌患者,19名直系亲属.采用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性分析法检测外周血MLH1基因415位点多态性.采用逆转录-聚合酶链反应检测各基因型结肠癌患者正常结肠黏膜的MLH1 mRNA表达.结果 散发结肠癌患者MLH1基因415位点CC基因型频率明显高于正常对照(P=0.035,OR=5.29,95%CI:1.07～26.04).结肠癌家系中患者和直系亲属的C等位基因的频率明显高于散发患者和正常对照(P=0.003和P=0.006).各基因型结肠癌患者正常结肠黏膜的MLH1 mRNA表达差异无统计学意义.结论 MLH1基因415G/C多态可能是我国散发结肠癌的遗传易感因素,但不是通过下调MLH1 mRNA表达而致病的.结肠癌家系中C等位基因携带者患结肠癌可能性更大.     

MLH1基因415G/C多态与结肠癌遗传易感性的关联研究

目的 探讨MLH1基因415G/C多态与我国汉族人群结肠癌发生的关系.方法 收集97例散发结肠癌患者,138名正常对照,以及5个结肠癌家系的6例结肠癌患者,19名直系亲属.采用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性分析法检测外周血MLH1基因415位点多态性.采用逆转录-聚合酶链反应检测各基因型结肠癌患者正常结肠黏膜的MLH1 mRNA表达.结果 散发结肠癌患者MLH1基因415位点CC基因型频率明显高于正常对照(P=0.035,OR=5.29,95%CI:1.07～26.04).结肠癌家系中患者和直系亲属的C等位基因的频率明显高于散发患者和正常对照(P=0.003和P=0.006).各基因型结肠癌患者正常结肠黏膜的MLH1 mRNA表达差异无统计学意义.结论 MLH1基因415G/C多态可能是我国散发结肠癌的遗传易感因素,但不是通过下调MLH1 mRNA表达而致病的.结肠癌家系中C等位基因携带者患结肠癌可能性更大.     

MLH1基因415G/C多态与结肠癌遗传易感性的关联研究

目的 探讨MLH1基因415G/C多态与我国汉族人群结肠癌发生的关系.方法 收集97例散发结肠癌患者,138名正常对照,以及5个结肠癌家系的6例结肠癌患者,19名直系亲属.采用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性分析法检测外周血MLH1基因415位点多态性.采用逆转录-聚合酶链反应检测各基因型结肠癌患者正常结肠黏膜的MLH1 mRNA表达.结果 散发结肠癌患者MLH1基因415位点CC基因型频率明显高于正常对照(P=0.035,OR=5.29,95%CI:1.07～26.04).结肠癌家系中患者和直系亲属的C等位基因的频率明显高于散发患者和正常对照(P=0.003和P=0.006).各基因型结肠癌患者正常结肠黏膜的MLH1 mRNA表达差异无统计学意义.结论 MLH1基因415G/C多态可能是我国散发结肠癌的遗传易感因素,但不是通过下调MLH1 mRNA表达而致病的.结肠癌家系中C等位基因携带者患结肠癌可能性更大.     

XPC branch‐point sequence mutations disrupt U2 snRNP binding,resulting in abnormal pre‐mRNA splicing in xeroderma pigmentosum patients

Mutations in two branch‐point sequences (BPS) in intron 3 of the XPC DNA repair gene affect pre‐mRNA splicing in association with xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) with many skin cancers (XP101TMA) or no skin cancer (XP72TMA), respectively. To investigate the mechanism of these abnormalities we now report that transfection of minigenes with these mutations revealed abnormal XPC pre‐mRNA splicing that mimicked pre‐mRNA splicing in the patients' cells. DNA oligonucleotide‐directed RNase H digestion demonstrated that mutations in these BPS disrupt U2 snRNP–BPS interaction. XP101TMA cells had no detectable XPC protein but XP72TMA had 29% of normal levels. A small amount of XPC protein was detected at sites of localized ultraviolet (UV)‐damaged DNA in XP72TMA cells which then recruited other nucleotide excision repair (NER) proteins. In contrast, XP101TMA cells had no detectable recruitment of XPC or other NER proteins. Post‐UV survival and photoproduct assays revealed greater reduction in DNA repair in XP101TMA cells than in XP72TMA. Thus mutations in XPC BPS resulted in disruption of U2 snRNP‐BPS interaction leading to abnormal pre‐mRNA splicing and reduced XPC protein. At the cellular level these changes were associated with features of reduced DNA repair including diminished NER protein recruitment, reduced post‐UV survival and impaired photoproduct removal. Hum Mutat 30:1–9, 2009. Published 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Development and validation of a modified comet assay to phenotypically assess nucleotide excision repair

There is an increasing need for simple and reliable approaches to phenotypically assess DNA repair capacities. Therefore, a modification of the alkaline comet assay was developed to determine the ability of human lymphocyte extracts to perform the initial steps of the nucleotide excision repair (NER) process, i.e. damage recognition and incision. Gel-embedded nucleoids from A549 cells, pre-exposed to 1 microM benzo[a]pyrene-diol-epoxide, were incubated with cell extracts from frozen or freshly isolated lymphocytes. The rate at which incisions are introduced and the subsequent increase in tail moment is indicative for the repair capacity of the extracts. Freshly prepared extracts from lymphocytes of human volunteers (n = 8) showed significant inter-individual variations in their DNA repair capacity, which correlated with the removal of bulky DNA lesions over a period of 48 h determined by (32)P-post-labelling (R(2) = 0.76, P = 0.005). Repeated measurements revealed a low inter-assay variation (11%). Storage of cell extracts for more than 3 weeks significantly reduced (up to 80%) the capacity to incise the damaged DNA as compared to freshly isolated extracts. This reduction was completely restored by addition of ATP to the extracts before use, as it is required for the incision step of NER. In contrast, extracts freshly prepared from frozen lymphocyte pellets can be used without loss of repair activity. DNA repair deficient XPA-/- and XPC-/- fibroblasts were used to further validate the assay. Although some residual capacity to incise the DNA was observed in these cells, the repair activity was restored to normal wild-type levels when a complementary mixture of both extracts (thereby restoring XPA and XPC deficiency) was used. These results demonstrate that this repair assay can be applied in molecular epidemiological studies to assess inter-individual differences in NER.     

Interaction between Polymorphisms of DNA Repair Genes Significantly Modulated Bladder Cancer Risk

DNA repair is a primary defense mechanism against damage caused by exogenous and endogenous sources. We examined the associations between bladder cancer and 7 polymorphisms from 5 genes involved in the maintenance of genetic stability (MMR: MLH1-93G>A; BER: XRCC1--77T>C and Arg399Gln; NER:XPC Lys939Gln and PAT +/-; DSBR:ATM G5557A and XRCC7 G6721T) in 302 incident bladder cancer cases and 311 hospital controls. Genotyping was done using a polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique. The homozygous variant of XRCC7 G6721T (Odds Ratio [OR]: 2.36; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.13-4.92) was associated with increased bladder cancer risk. In an analysis of combined genotypes, the combination of XRCC1Arg399Gln (Gln allele) with XRCC1-77 T/T led to an increase in risk (OR: 1.61; 95% CI: 1.10-2.36). Moreover, when the XPCLys939Gln (Gln allele) (nucleotide excision repair [NER]) was present together with XRCC7 (T allele) (double strand break repair [DSBR]), the bladder cancer risk dramatically increased (OR: 4.42; 95% CI: 1.23-15.87). Our results suggest that there are multigenic variations in the DNA repair pathway involved in bladder cancer susceptibility, despite the existence of ethnic group differences.     

DNA damage, oxidative mutagen sensitivity, and repair of oxidative DNA damage in nonmelanoma skin cancer patients

Nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is the most frequent type of cancer in humans. Exposure to UV radiation is a major risk factor for NMSC, and oxidative DNA damage, caused either by UV radiation itself or by other agents, may be involved in its induction. Increased sensitivity to oxidative damage and an altered DNA repair capacity (DRC) increase the risk of many types of cancer; however, sensitivity to oxidizing agents has not been evaluated for NMSC, and results regarding DRC in NMSC are inconclusive. In the present study, we evaluated DNA damage and repair in leukocytes from 41 NMSC patients and 45 controls. The Comet assay was used to measure basal and H(2)O(2)-induced DNA damage, as well as the DRC, while the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay was used to measure the basal level of chromosome damage. Although basal DNA damage was higher for the controls than for the patients, this finding was mainly due to sampling more controls in the summer, which was associated with longer comet tails. In contrast, H(2)O(2)-induced DNA damage was significantly higher in cases than in controls, and this parameter was not influenced by the season of the year. The DRC for the H(2)O(2)-induced damage was similar for cases and controls and unrelated to seasonality. Finally, the frequency of binucleated lymphocytes with micronuclei was similar for cases and controls. The results of this study indicate that NMSC patients are distinguished from controls by an increased sensitivity to oxidative DNA damage.     

Association between DNA repair gene polymorphisms and p53 alterations in Japanese patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

OBJECTIVE: DNA repair enzymes play a vital role in protecting the genome from carcinogens, several of which can cause mutations in the TP53 gene in bladder cancer. Some single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in DNA repair genes reportedly modulate the repair capacity. This study aimed to clarify the effect of these functional SNPs on the alteration of p53 in muscle-invasive bladder cancer. METHODS: We investigated the association between SNPs in xeroderma pigmentosum complementation groups C (XPC), D and G and X-ray repair cross-complementing group 1 and 3 genes, and p53 expression and allelic imbalance at the TP53 locus in Japanese patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer. p53 expression and the allelic imbalance were evaluated using immunohistochemistry and a microsatellite marker, respectively. RESULTS: Positive p53 expression was significantly less frequent in patients with the CC genotype of the XPC gene than in those with the AA or AC genotype (p = 0.0005). C alleles of the XPC gene were also less frequent in patients with positive p53 expression (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Our results suggested that the XPC polymorphism might affect p53 alteration and the molecular pathway defined by the p53 alteration in the development of muscle-invasive bladder cancer.     

Functional SNP in 3′‐UTR MicroRNA‐Binding Site of ZNF350 Confers Risk for Age‐Related Cataract

Many studies have suggested that individual susceptibility to age‐related cataract (ARC) may be associated with DNA sequence polymorphisms affecting gene regulation. As DNA repair is implicated in ARC pathogenesis and single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the 3′‐terminal untranslated region (3′‐UTR) targeted by microRNAs (miRNAs) can alter the gene function, we hypothesize that the miRNA‐binding SNPs (miRSNPs) in DNA double‐strand break repair (DSBR) and nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathways might associate with ARC risk. We genotyped nine miRSNPs of eight genes in DSBR and NER pathways in Chinese population and found that ZNF350‐ rs2278414:G>A was significantly associated with ARC risk. Even though the Comet assay of cellular DNA damage indicated that all the subtypes of ARC patients had more DNA breaks in peripheral lymphocytes than the controls independent of rs2278414 genotypes, individuals carrying the variant A allele (AA and AG) had lower ZNF350 mRNA levels compared with individuals with GG genotype. Moreover, the in vitro experiment indicated that miR‐21‐3p and miR‐150‐5p specifically downregulated luciferase reporter expression in the cell lines transfected with rs2278414 A allele compared with rs2278414 G. These results suggested that the association of SNP rs2278414 with ARC might involve an altered miRNA regulation of ZNF350.