Detection of guanine-C8-2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine adduct as a single spot on thin-layer chromatography by modification of the 32P-postlabeling method

N-(Deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (dG-C8-PhIP) has been shown to be a major adduct in DNA of rats given [3H]PhIP. However, when DNA from organs of rats fed PhIP was analyzed by the 32P-postlabeling method under standard and adduct-intensification conditions, four adduct spots were observed, and 3',5'-pdGp-C8-PhIP was detected as a minor, not a major, adduct spot. Since the three other major adduct spots were suspected to be those of adducted di- or oligo-nucleotides, the 32P-labeled samples were further treated with nuclease P1 and phosphodiesterase I and found to yield only a single adduct spot. The material in this adduct spot was confirmed to be 5'-pdG-C8-PhIP. Thus, using this newly modified 32P-postlabeling method, dG-C8-PhIP was detected as a major adduct in DNA of rats given PhIP.

2-Hydroxyamino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine induction of recombinational mutations in mammalian cell lines as detected by DNA fingerprinting

2-Amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) is the most abundant mutagenic heterocyclic amine in cooked foods. Two mouse tumor cell lines, BMT11 and FM3A, were exposed to its proximate form, 2-hydroxyamino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (N-OH-PhIP). Fifty-six subclones of BMT11 and 39 subclones of FM3A were isolated and analyzed by DNA fingerprinting. Treatment with 10-20 microM N-OH-PhIP gave rise to extra bands or shifted bands, but treatment without N-OH-PhIP did not. This suggests that mutations resulting from recombination were induced. The mutation frequencies were 21-53% and 22-35% for BMT11 and FM3A, respectively. These findings suggest that PhIP induces recombinational mutations.

Experience with cloned mitochondrial DNA analysis to forensic practice

The sequencing method of the D-loop region of cloned mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) together with multilocus and single locus DNA probe patterns was applied to identification of the dismembered and putrefied remains of a pregnant woman. The multilocus DNA fingerprinting was useful to identify whether or not 4 dismembered remains were from the body of the same person, whereas the single locus DNA analysis was useful to decide that the suspect was the father of the fetus. On the other hand, the sequencing method of the D-loop region of cloned mtDNA after amplification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was particularly advantageous to highly degraded and contaminated DNA specimens.

Unexpected atrial fibrillation during tooth extraction in a sedated elderly patient

A case is reported of unexpected atrial fibrillation in response to tooth extraction under intravenous sedation in a 70-yr-old patient with thoracic aneurysm of the aorta. Atrial fibrillation developed after the additional injection of a 2% solution of lidocaine containing 1:200,000 epinephrine. After 20 min, the arrhythmia disappeared spontaneously. The arrhythmia was associated with insufficient analgesia for tooth extraction, epinephrine in the local anesthetic, decreased blood pressure, and the presence of cardiovascular disease. Even when a low concentration of epinephrine is employed, caution should be paid to development of unexpected cardiovascular reactions in elderly patients with severe cardiovascular disease. We conclude that an electrocardiogram, blood pressure device, and pulse oximeter should be used in high-risk patients in order to prevent and detect potentially dangerous cardiovascular emergencies, even if dental treatment is scheduled under local anesthesia.

Calyculin A and okadiac acid inhibit human platelet aggregation by blocking protein phosphatases types 1 and 2A

Two potent inhibitors of protein phosphatase type 1 (PP1) and type 2A (PP2A), calyculin A (CAL-A) and okadaic acid (OKA), inhibited human platelet aggregation induced by thrombin, collagen and 9,11-epithio-11,12-methano-thromboxane A2 (STA2). IC50 values of CAL-A and OKA for STA2-induced aggregation were 53 nM and 3.5 microM, respectively. These drugs also inhibited thrombin-induced [14C]serotonin secretion of platelets. CAL-A and OKA elicited phosphorylation of certain proteins with an apparent M(r) (x 10(-3) of 200, 60, 50 and 20 light chain of myosin (MLC). Agonist-induced 47,000 M(r) protein phosphorylation was strongly inhibited by these compounds, whereas phosphorylation of 20,000 M(r) MLC was enhanced. The increase in 50,000 M(r) protein phosphorylation by CAL-A and OKA was observed in the presence of agonists, and the 50,000 M(r) phosphorylation may be involved in the inhibition of platelet activation by these compounds. Subcellular analysis of the phosphatase activity in human platelets showed that MLC phosphatase activity was present mainly (approx. 78%) in the cytosolic fraction. Chromatography of human platelet extract on heparin-Sepharose resolved two peaks of MLC phosphatase activity: PP2A in 0.1 M NaCl eluate and PP1 in 0.5 NaCl eluate. PP2A and PP1 isozymes (PP1 alpha, PP1 gamma and PP1 delta) have also been identified in human platelets, by cross-reactivity with polyclonal antibodies against PP2A and PP1 isozymes, respectively. These results suggest that PP1 and/or PP2A may play an important role in the process of platelet activation by regulating levels of phosphorylation of certain proteins.

Ulex europaeus I and glycine max bind to the human olfactory bulb

The distribution of binding sites for the fucose-selective lectin Ulex europaeus I and the terminal N-acetylgalactosamine-selective lectin glycine max in the human olfactory bulb were studied. These lectins bound to primary olfactory axons in the olfactory nerve layer and the glomerular layer. They also bound to fibers located in the deeper layers such as the external plexiform layer and the granular layer. Furthermore they projected to the olfactory stalk but not in the cerebrum. The deeper projections of the lectin binding fibers may affect the function of the olfactory bulb in humans.

Dose-dependence of 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine (PhIP) carcinogenicity in rats

The dose-dependence of 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) carcinogenicity was investigated in F344 rats of both sexes administered the heterocyclic amine in the diet at concentrations of 25 or 100 p.p.m. for up to 104 weeks. Incidences of mammary adenocarcinomas were 7% (2/30) for 25 p.p.m. and 47% (14 of 30 rats) for 100 p.p.m. in females and those of colon adenocarcinomas were 43% (13/30) for males and 13% (4/30) for females of the 100 p.p.m. groups. No mammary adenocarcinomas were induced in males and no colon carcinomas were observed in the 25 p.p.m. groups of either sex. Furthermore, development of lymphocytic leukemia was apparently enhanced by PhIP in males. In a separate experiment, dose-dependent induction of aberrant crypts in the large intestine, considered as preneoplastic lesions, was evident after 8 weeks feeding of PhIP-supplemented diet at doses of 25, 100 or 400 p.p.m. Thus a clear dose-dependency was demonstrated for both colon and mammary carcinogenesis. Since PhIP is a particularly abundant heterocyclic amine and its carcinogenic organotropism overlaps with the types of neoplasias most commonly observed in western countries, the compound may be extremely important with respect to human cancer development.

Long-term observation of the relation between pain intensity and serum carbamazepine concentration in elderly patients with trigeminal neuralgia

The relation between changes in pain intensity and serum carbamazepine (CBZ) concentration was studied in five elderly patients with trigeminal neuralgia. Measurement of pain intensity and serum CBZ concentration, and blood studies, were performed approximately every 2 or 3 months after initiation of CBZ therapy. Fluctuations in pain intensity were observed in four patients. In these patients, even when the serum CBZ concentration was maintained within a relatively high range, there were periods in which pain intensity increased. On the other hand, there were periods in which pain was relatively well controlled even though the CBZ concentration was relatively low. There were considerable interindividual differences in response to CBZ. The fluctuations in pain showed that the CBZ response curve varies from period to period even within an individual. It was concluded that it is essential to observe spontaneous variations in pain intensity and monitor serum CBZ during long-term administration.

Improved PCR/NcoI method for the molecular diagnosis of medium chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency using dried blood samples: two-stage amplification using two different sets of primers improves accuracy and sensitivity

A 985A-->G transition is the single prevalent mutation representing 89% of all variant medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD) alleles that causes MCAD deficiency. We and others previously devised a molecular method for the detection of the 985G allele that involves PCR coupled with NcoI digestion. The method has been widely used. However, when used for the analysis of dried blood samples, it sometimes produced ambiguous results with weak target bands in the presence of numerous artifact bands. An improved version of the method has been developed here, involving two stages of amplification using two different sets of primers. In the first stage, the entire exon-11 was amplified. A small aliquot (5 microliters) of the first PCR products were directly used as a template for the second PCR amplification. The second PCR is similar to the original method, but utilizes a pair of primers encompassing a smaller section within exon-11. The upstream primer incorporates a substitution at 981, so that a NcoI site involving 985G is introduced in the copies of the variant allele, as in the original PCR/NcoI method. The improved 2-stage method produces an intense target band with a very high sensitivity, yet devoid of artifacts, providing clean, unequivocal results.

Developmental, nutritional, and hormonal regulation of tissue-specific expression of the genes encoding various acyl-CoA dehydrogenases and alpha-subunit of electron transfer flavoprotein in rat

Short chain (SCAD), medium chain (MCAD), and long chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenases (LCAD) catalyze the first step of fatty acid oxidation, while isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenase (IVD) is involved in leucine oxidation. They are homologous flavoproteins belonging to the acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (ACD) family. Electron transfer flavoprotein (ETF) serves as an obligatory electron acceptor for these reactions. We demonstrated that the expression of SCAD, MCAD, and LCAD and the alpha-subunit of ETF (alpha-ETF) showed a similar developmental pattern, while that of IVD was distinctly different from others. The ontogenic pattern of each enzyme in the liver differed distinctly from that in the heart. The degree of glucagon-enhanced ACD expression in vivo and in vitro in both the liver and heart was especially high in fasted rats. Dexamethasone induced all ACD mRNAs in the heart. In contrast, it strongly suppressed mRNAs of all ACDs and alpha-ETF mRNA in the liver, except IVD mRNA. Dexamethasone induced IVD mRNA in both the liver and heart. Starvation strongly stimulated expression of all five genes in various tissues, with the highest in the heart, except the IVD gene which was down-regulated. The degree of induction by 3-day starvation differed in different age groups of rats. Feeding the rats a fat-free diet for 7 days caused a marked increase of IVD mRNA in the heart, whereas the high fat diet for the same period resulted in a severe decrease of the same degree, suggesting a protein-sparing mechanism. However, these manipulations of dietary fat content had little effect on the expression of other ACD genes.

Characterization of erythropoietin isolated from rat serum: biochemical comparison of rat and human erythropoietins

We isolated erythropoietin (Epo) from anemic-rat serum with 1.3 x 10(6)-fold purification and 38% recovery using immunoaffinity chromatography. The isolated Epo migrated in SDS polyacrylamide gel with a molecular size of 37 kDa. Biological properties of rat Epo were compared with those of human Epo using target cells of primate and murine origins. When murine cells were used as target cells for assaying Epo, rat Epo stimulated proliferation of the cells with a 50% lower potency than did human Epo. The activity of rat Epo on human cells was only 25% of that of human Epo. Studies of Epo binding to the receptor indicated that rat and human Epos were not distinguishable in binding to murine cells; however, rat Epo bound to the receptor on human cells with an affinity much lower than that of human Epo. Rat Epo was digested with N-glycanase. Complete removal of N-linked sugars converted the native Epo to the deglycosylated form with 18 kDa. The in vitro activity of deglycosylated Epo was 2.5-fold higher than that of the native Epo.

Carcinogenic factors in food with relevance to colon cancer development

The diet contains various mutagens and carcinogens that can be classified into three groups: naturally occurring chemicals, synthetic compounds and compounds produced by cooking. The first group includes mycotoxins and plant alkaloids while the second is exemplified by food additives and pesticides. The third includes polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heterocyclic amines (HCAs). HCAs are mutagenic to microbes and eukaryotes and their precursors are creatine or creatinine, sugars, and amino acids in meat and fish. Among 10 HCAs so far examined for carcinogenicity in rodents, 2-amino-6-methyldipyrido[1,2-a:3',2'-d]imidazole (Glu-P-1), 2-aminodipyrido[1,2-a:3',2'-d]imidazole (Glu-P-2), 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ), 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (MeIQ) and 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) induced colon cancer in rats. PhIP is an especially interesting compound inducing colon tumors specifically in male F344 rats and only very rarely in females, which develop mammary carcinomas at high frequency instead. Since induced DNA adduct levels, determined by the 32P-postlabeling method, were found to be almost the same in male and female F344 rats adduct formation in itself is not directly responsible for carcinogenesis. We established, however, that PhIP causes increased cell proliferation in colon mucosa but not in the non-target liver or kidney of male rats. Induction of cell proliferation is therefore possibly an additional important factor determining carcinogenic organ specificity. In terms of molecular alteration ras family gene mutations are very rare and no mutations are evident in the p53 gene in colon tumors induced by HCAs. Their development due to HCAs can thus be considered an appropriate experimental model for human colon tumors in which ras or p53 gene activation is not involved. Since HCAs are genotoxic compounds, a causal role in some stage of human colon carcinogenesis is plausible. Exposure to HCAs should accordingly be avoided as far as possible.

Augmentation of endothelin-1, prostacyclin and thromboxane A2 secretion associated with in vitro ageing in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Differences in the secretion of the vascular regulators endothelin-1 (ET-1, prostacyclin (PGI2) and thromboxane A2 (TXA2) associated with ageing were investigated in cultured endothelial cells isolated from normal human umbilical veins (HUVECS). HUVECS at different population doubling levels (PDLs) were cultured in medium MCDB-104 supplemented with FBS and ECGF. Cell saturation density was determined by a Coulter counter, and concentrations of ET-1, PGI2 and TXA2 in the media were determined by radioimmunoassay. The cellular and nuclear size of HUVECS increased with advancing age, and the dividing ability decreased. Cell saturation density of HUVECS decreased 5-fold between PDLs 7 and 67 (P < 0.01). The secretion of ET-1 by HUVECS at a young stage of growth (PDL 7.6) increased linearly between 0 and 36 h of incubation (P < 0.01). ET-1 secretion increased approximately 3-fold between PDLs and 67 (P < 0.01). PGI2 secretion increased 6-fold between PDLs 7 and 67 (P < 0.01), and TXA2 secretion increased 18-fold between PDLs 7 and 67 (P < 0.01). The ratio of PGI2 to TXA2 secretion decreased 3-fold between PDLs 7 and 40 (P < 0.01), and remained at the lower ratio between PDLs 40 and 67. This data indicates that the anti-thrombotic or anti-vasoconstrictive role of endothelial cells may decrease during in vitro ageing.

Okadaic acid, a protein phosphatase inhibitor, induces sister-chromatid exchanges depending on the presence of bromodeoxyuridine

Okadaic acid (OA), a potent tumor promoter and an inhibitor of protein phosphatase 1 and 2A, induced sister-chromatid exchanges (SCEs) in human lymphoblastoid cells and Chinese hamster ovary cells at low concentrations of 2-10 nM, when the cells were grown for two cell cycles in the presence of OA and bromodeoxyuridine (BrdUrd). Prolonged treatment with OA prior to addition of BrdUrd did not induce SCEs, indicating an essential role of BrdUrd. A similar important role of BrdUrd in SCE induction has been reported in the cases of benzamide (BA) (Natarajan et al., 1981) and camptothecin (CPT) (Zhao et al., 1992), which are inhibitors of poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase and DNA topoisomerase I (topo I), respectively. Unlike many DNA-damaging agents, they are required to be present during S phase along with BrdUrd in the medium and/or in the parental DNA as BrdUMP. Thus OA, like BA and CPT, is a new type of SCE inducer. Exposing cells to a combined treatment with OA, BA and CPT, a significantly higher level of SCEs was induced than that expected if the numbers of SCE caused by these three inhibitors were additive, while no such synergistic increase was seen in every combination of two agents. Since both phosphorylation and poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation have been known to modify topo I activity, the results suggest a common involvement of topo I for SCE formation by OA, BA and CPT. In addition to SCE induction, OA resulted in an increase of mitotic cells which were characterized by a marked chromosome condensation. OA also induced chromosome fragmentation/pulverization in human lymphoblastoid cells and fragmented nuclei in Chinese hamster cells.

Identification of N2-(deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-2-amino-3,8-dimethyl-imidazo[4,5- f]quinoxaline 3',5'-diphosphate, a major DNA adduct, detected by nuclease P1 modification of the 32P-postlabeling method, in the liver of rats fed MeIQx

The carcinogenic heterocyclic amine 2-amino-3,8-dimethyl-imidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx) is widely distributed in cooked foods. The nuclease P1 method increased the sensitivity of the standard 32P-postlabeling analysis about 1000-fold for detection of MeIQx-DNA adducts. The recovery of MeIQx-DNA adducts by the nuclease P1 method was determined to be about 50% using liver DNA of a rat treated with [14C]MeIQx intragastrically. By the nuclease P1 method five adducts were detected in the liver DNA of rats fed MeIQx and two of them, including the most abundant one, were identified as MeIQx-deoxyguanosine adducts by comparison with the adducts formed in in vitro reactions of N-acetoxy-2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline with the four 2'-deoxyribonucleotides. The most abundant adduct in vivo was identified as N2-(deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-MeIQx 3',5'-diphosphate (3',5'-pdGp-C8-MeIQx). MeIQx-DNA adduct levels in human tissues could be determined by the nuclease P1 modification of the 32P-postlabeling method in combination with HPLC, and thus provide information on the roles of MeIQx in human carcinogenesis.

Reduction of nitric oxide producing activity associated with in vitro aging in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cell

To investigate the involvement of nitric oxide (NO) in the pathogenesis of the cardiovascular system with aging, we studied the basal release of NO in cultured endothelial cells isolated from normal human umbilical veins (HUVECs) at different population doubling levels (PDLs). The release of NO was assayed by a newly established, highly sensitive assay system monitoring guanosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) formation in a pig kidney epithelial cell line cocultured with HUVECs. The cGMP formation by NO released from HUVECs decreased 3.3-fold between PDLs 8 (14.1 pmol/ml) and 50 (4.3 pmol/ml) (P < 0.01). The result suggests that the vaso-constrictive activity of endothelial cells increases during in vitro aging which may reflect the increased vascular disorders in aged people.

[A case report of acute death caused by hyperextension injury of neck]

We report an autopsy case of acute death from an upper cervical spinal cord injury caused by hyperextension of the neck. A 59-year-old drunken man who had been suffering from cervical spondylosis was slapped in the face, fell flat on his face, and remained as such for 4 hours. The victim was carried to a hospital, he had already been dead on arrival. Although he received an intensive care, he remained unconscious for 12 hours until a cardiac arrest. The findings of an autopsy were as follows: Externally, excoriation on the forehead and the left eyebrow and slight subcutaneous hemorrhage in the dorsum of the nose were observed. The intervertebral disk and the anterior longitudinal ligament between the 5th and 6th cervical vertebrae were severed, and a lot of bleeding in the region of the injuries was observed. The 6th cervical spinous process was fractured in the direction to a major axis. A part of the posterior root filaments was torned and the bleeding points could be seen on the front of the 6th cervical spinal cord. In the cross section of the 6th cervical spinal cord, the typical hemorrhagic necrosis could be recognized surrounding the central canal, whereas the similar finding was observed at the second cervical spinal cord. On the histopathological examinations, in C2, C5-C6 regions marked ischemic changes and hemorrhagic necrosis could be observed. From these post-mortem results, we diagnosed that the victim died from an upper spinal cord damage due to a stretching consequence of the hyperextentional injury.

Effects of chronic administration of low doses of 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo-[4,5-f]quinoxaline on glutathione S-transferase placental form-positive foci development in the livers of rats fed a choline-deficient diet

Effects of chronic administration of 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx) at the very low doses of 0.4 and 4 ppm, respectively 1000- and 100-fold less than the dose shown to be carcinogenic (400 ppm), on the liver of rats fed a choline-deficient (CD) diet were examined in terms of glutathione S-transferase placental form (GST-P)-positive foci. Male F344 rats were given CD diet containing 0, 0.4 or 4 ppm MeIQx for 20 or 40 weeks. As controls, rats received choline-supplemented (CS) diet in the same manner. MeIQx at 4 ppm in the CD diet significantly increased both the number and area of GST-P-positive foci, the values being 2.3- and 2.1-fold at 20 weeks and 2.0- and 3.3-fold at 40 weeks, respectively, compared with those observed for CD diet alone. MeIQx at 0.4 ppm in CD diet did not affect the development of GST-P-positive foci. No influence of the heterocyclic amine was found in the CS groups, where only very small numbers of minute lesions were observed. The level of MeIQx-DNA adducts in rats given the CD diet containing 4 ppm MeIQx was 2- to 3-fold lower than that in rats given the CS diet containing 4 ppm MeIQx at 20 and 40 weeks. This result indicates that DNA adduct formation and cell proliferation are both required for the increase of GST-P-positive foci in rats fed 4 ppm MeIQx in a CD diet. The above findings strongly suggest that MeIQx could be carcinogenic even at 4 ppm under CD conditions, where liver cell regeneration is continuously occurring.

Protein phosphatase 1 gamma 2 is associated with nuclei of meiotic cells in rat testis

We have shown that there are at least 4 isotypes of the catalytic subunit of type 1 protein phosphatase (PP1), PP1 alpha, PP1 gamma 1, PP1 gamma 2 and PP1 delta by rat cDNA cloning. Among these, PP1 gamma 2 mRNA was found to be abundant in rat testis. To study the roles of PP1 gamma 2 in rat spermatogenesis, we raised an antibody against a synthetic 21 mer peptide corresponding to the predicted amino acid sequence of the C-terminal region of the PP1 gamma 2. The antibody interacted with a testicular protein of 39-kDa prepared from rats after puberty (25 days after birth). However, the antibody did not interact with proteins extracted from the immature testes or from other tissues examined. Indirect immunofluorescent staining of PP1 gamma 2 of the seminiferous tubules from rats of various ages and costaining with DNA showed that the protein is located in the nuclei of late spermatocytes and of early spermatids. We suggest that PP1 gamma 2 plays some role in meiotic division during spermatogenesis.

Effect of arginine-enriched total parenteral nutrition on the host-tumor interaction in cancer-bearing rats

By using a transplantable Yoshida sarcoma in a rat total parenteral nutrition model, we measured the effectiveness of an arginine-enriched amino acid solution (AI-82) in terms of leucine kinetics and nitrogen balance as indicators of host-tumor nutrition interaction compared with that of a conventional amino acid solution (Proteamin12). When tumor-bearing rats received isocaloric total parenteral nutrition solutions for 7 days, AI-82 significantly improved host nitrogen balance and significantly decreased the tumor-nitrogen trap throughout the experimental period. Leucine kinetics of whole body and tissues were also determined by a 4-hour continuous infusion of each total parenteral nutrition solution containing 14C-leucine. Significantly increased whole-body leucine oxidation (p < .01) without an increase in leucine release from normal tissues was observed in the AI-82 group. Total incorporation of 14C-leucine into whole muscle was significantly elevated (p < .05) without changes in muscle protein degradation in the AI-82 group. In the whole tumor, AI-82 tended to decrease total incorporation of 14C-leucine, but there was no difference in leucine release caused by protein breakdown between the two groups. These findings suggest that AI-82 can improve the nutritional status of the host over that of the tumor.

3-Amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-1) inhibits the removal of both cyclobutane dimers and (6-4) photoproducts from the DNA of ultraviolet-irradiated E. coli

Heterocyclic amines have been isolated from cooked foods and found to be mutagens and carcinogens. Among them, 3-amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-1) and 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2) were also found to enhance UV-induced mutation frequencies in Escherichia coli at the concentrations where they were neither toxic nor mutagenic by themselves. Using an immunological method recently developed to detect UV-induced DNA damage, we investigated the inhibitory effect of Trp-P-1 on the removal of both cyclobutane dimers and (6-4)photoproducts from the DNA of UV-irradiated E.coli. Cells repaired 60% of the initial cyclobutane dimers within 30 min and 75% at 120 min after UV-irradiation. Furthermore, the same cells repaired 90% of the initial (6-4)photoproducts within 30 min. On the other hand, Trp-P-1 clearly showed inhibition of repair of both photolesions in a concentration-dependent manner. The levels of repair inhibition by Trp-P-1 were almost the same between cyclobutane dimers and (6-4)photoproducts. These results suggested that the enhancing effect of Trp-P-1 on UV-induced mutagenesis in E.coli stemmed from the inhibition of the removal of photolesions from the DNA.

2-Amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ), a carcinogenic pyrolysate, induces chromosomal aberrations in Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts in vitro

The ability of 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ) to induce chromosomal aberrations (CAs) in Chinese hamster lung fibroblast (CHL/IU) cells in vitro was examined. On incubation with rat S9 (2.5-10%, v/v) for 3 h, followed by a recovery culture period of 21 h, IQ caused significant induction of CAs at a concentration 20 micrograms/ml, but had less effect at 40 micrograms/ml. With longer recovery culture times such as 27-33 h, however, IQ was much more effective at 40 micrograms/ml. No significant induction was observed with 1 or 6 h treatments followed by 23 or 18 h recovery cultures, respectively. On incubation without S9, only weak CA induction by IQ was observed. These results show that IQ is a clastogen and that its clastogenic effect varied with the experimental conditions, such as the time of exposure and the time of recovery culture. The cell cycle perturbation effect is suggested to be one of the critical factors for the detection of the clastogenic potential of IQ.

Cycloheximide downsynthesizes inhibitory molecules for neurite outgrowth in neural transplantation

Rat fetal substantia nigra treated with cycloheximide, a protein synthesis inhibitor, were implanted to adult rat striatum. After 4 weeks, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-like immunoreactive (-LI) fibers of host striatum penetrated grafts, and TH-LI neurites in the grafts elongated and mingled with the host striatal neurites. Astrocytes proliferated in the grafts without glial scar between the graft-host border. A few chondroitin sulfate- or tenascin-LI glial cells were found in the grafts, while in transplants without cycloheximide, glial scar expressed strong immunoreactivity for these molecules. Downsynthesis of these inhibitory molecules may alter the glial character and permit neurites traversing the border.