Investigation of the mutagenic and antimutagenic effects of Origanum compactum essential oil and some of its constituents

In the present study, the chemical composition of Origanum compactum essential oil was determined by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, and its mutagenic and antimutagenic activities were investigated by the somatic mutation and recombination test (SMART) in Drosophila melanogaster. No significant increase in the number of somatic mutations was observed with the essential oil tested using both the standard (ST) and high bio-activation (HB) cross. In order to investigate the antimutagenic effect of the essential oil, we have tested the effect on the indirect-acting mutagen urethane (URE), as well as the direct-acting mutagen methyl methanesulfonate (MMS). O. compactum essential oil showed a strong inhibitory effect against URE-induced mutagenicity, especially with the HB cross. However, only a weak inhibitory effect on the mutagenicity induced by MMS was observed. These results suggest that the detected antimutagenicity could be mediated by an inhibitory effect on metabolic activation. The essential oil was fractionated to identify the components responsible of the suppressing effect detected. Seven fractions were obtained: two of them showed the most potent inhibitory effect against URE-induced mutagenicity and were further fractionated. The sub-fractions obtained from the second chromatographic fractionation were tested for their antimutagenic activity, together with carvacrol and thymol. The highest antimutagenic effect obtained with the sub-fractions was similar to the effect of the crude essential oil, as well as to the effect of carvacrol alone. These results suggest the absence of a synergic antimutagenic effect between the components of O. compactum essential oil and indicate that carvacrol was the most active oil component.

Lack of effect of prior treatment with fluoride on genotoxicity of two chemical agents in vitro

The goal of this study was to investigate the ability of fluoride to modulate the genotoxic effects induced by the oxidative agent hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and the alkylating agent methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) in vitro by the single-cell gel (comet) assay. Chinese hamster ovary cells were exposed in culture for 1 h at 37 degrees C to sodium fluoride at 7-100 microg/ml. NaF-treated and control cells were then incubated with 0-10 microM MMS in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) for 15 min at 37 degrees C, or 0-100 microM H2O2 in distilled water for 5 min on ice. Negative control cells were treated with PBS for 1 h at 37 degrees C. Clear concentration-related effects were observed for the two genotoxins. Increase of DNA damage induced by either MMS or H2O2 was not significantly altered by pretreatment with NaF. The data indicate that NaF does not modulate alkylation-induced genotoxicity or oxidative DNA damage as measured by the single-cell gel (comet) assay.

Protective effect of DCTN (trans-dehydrocrotonin) against induction of micronuclei and apoptosis by different mutagenic agents in vitro

The use of medicinal plants to combat diseases has increased in the last years despite the little information available with regard to the possible health risks they represent. The aim of the present study was to determine in vitro the possible clastogenic, apoptotic and cytotoxic effects of the active principle of Croton cajucara, trans-dehydrocrotonin (DCTN), and determine its protective effect against three mutagenic agents using the micronucleus test (MN) and apoptosis index in CHO-K1 cells. Three DNA damage inducing agents were utilized in the clastogenicity and anticlastogenicity tests (methylmethane sulfonate (MMS), mitomycin C (MMC) and doxorubicin (DXR); a negative control (PBS) and solvent control were also included. DCTN at concentrations of 400, 320, 240, 160 and 80microM did not show clastogenic activity in cultured CHO-K1 cells in the micronucleus test, did not induce apoptosis and showed negligible cytotoxicity in all cases. DCTN at concentrations of 240 and 400microM was tested for protective activity using three treatment protocols in relation to positive controls: pre-treatment, simultaneous treatment and post-treatment. The micronucleus test showed a protective effect for DCTN which varied among the different treatment protocols and with regard to the different DNA damage inducing agents. In the apoptosis test, DCTN was seen to have a protective effect under the following conditions: (I) at both concentrations in relation to MMS, in all three treatment protocols; (II) at both concentrations against damage caused by MMC with pre-treatment and at the higher concentration with simultaneous treatment; (III) at both concentrations against DXR with simultaneous treatment. Therefore, DCTN itself is not a clastogenic or cytotoxic substance, and does not induce apoptosis the in vitro system used. These results together with findings reported for DCTN in vivo, support the indication of this active principle at these concentrations for therapeutic use.

An essential role for Drosophila hus1 in somatic and meiotic DNA damage responses

The checkpoint proteins Rad9, Rad1 and Hus1 form a clamp-like complex which plays a central role in the DNA-damage-induced checkpoint response. Here we address the function of the 9-1-1 complex in Drosophila. We decided to focus our analysis on the meiotic and somatic requirements of hus1. For that purpose, we created a null allele of hus1 by imprecise excision of a P element found 2 kb from the 3' of the hus1 gene. We found that hus1 mutant flies are viable, but the females are sterile. We determined that hus1 mutant flies are sensitive to hydroxyurea and methyl methanesulfonate but not to X-rays, suggesting that hus1 is required for the activation of an S-phase checkpoint. We also found that hus1 is not required for the G2-M checkpoint and for post-irradiation induction of apoptosis. We subsequently studied the role of hus1 in activation of the meiotic checkpoint and found that the hus1 mutation suppresses the dorsal-ventral pattering defects caused by mutants in DNA repair enzymes. Interestingly, we found that the hus1 mutant exhibits similar oocyte nuclear defects as those produced by mutations in DNA repair enzymes. These results demonstrate that hus1 is essential for the activation of the meiotic checkpoint and that hus1 is also required for the organization of the oocyte DNA, a function that might be independent of the meiotic checkpoint.

Lycopene activity against chemically induced DNA damage in Chinese hamster ovary cells

Lycopene is a natural pigment synthesized by plants and microorganisms, and it is mainly found in tomatoes. It is an acyclic isomer of beta-carotene and one of the most potent antioxidants. Several studies have demonstrated the ability of lycopene to prevent chemically induced DNA damage; however, the mechanisms involved are still not clear. In the present study, we investigated the antigenotoxic/antimutagenic effects of lycopene in Chinese Hamster Ovary Cells (CHO) treated with hydrogen peroxide, methylmethanesulphonate (MMS), or 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4-NQO). Lycopene (97%), at final concentrations of 10, 25, and 50 microM, was tested under three different protocols: before, simultaneously, and after the treatment with the mutagens. Comet and cytokinesis-block micronucleus assays were used to evaluate the level of DNA damage. Data showed that lycopene reduced the frequency of micronucleated cells induced by the three mutagens. However, this chemopreventive activity was dependent on the concentrations and treatment schedules used. Similar results were observed in the comet assay, although some enhancements of primary DNA damage were detected when the carotenoid was administered after the mutagens. In conclusion, our findings confirmed the chemopreventive activity of lycopene, and showed that this effect occurs under different mechanisms.

Systematic pathway analysis using high-resolution fitness profiling of combinatorial gene deletions

Systematic genetic interaction studies have illuminated many cellular processes. Here we quantitatively examine genetic interactions among 26 Saccharomyces cerevisiae genes conferring resistance to the DNA-damaging agent methyl methanesulfonate (MMS), as determined by chemogenomic fitness profiling of pooled deletion strains. We constructed 650 double-deletion strains, corresponding to all pairings of these 26 deletions. The fitness of single- and double-deletion strains were measured in the presence and absence of MMS. Genetic interactions were defined by combining principles from both statistical and classical genetics. The resulting network predicts that the Mph1 helicase has a role in resolving homologous recombination-derived DNA intermediates that is similar to (but distinct from) that of the Sgs1 helicase. Our results emphasize the utility of small molecules and multifactorial deletion mutants in uncovering functional relationships and pathway order.

The effect of dietary folic acid deficiency on the cytotoxic and mutagenic responses to methyl methanesulfonate in wild-type and in 3-methyladenine DNA glycosylase-deficient Aag null mice

Folic acid deficiency (FA-) augments DNA damage caused by alkylating agents. The role of DNA repair in modulating this damage was investigated in mice. Weanling wild-type or 3-methyladenine glycosylase (Aag) null mice were maintained on a FA- diet or the same diet supplemented with folic acid (FA+) for 4 weeks. They were then treated with methyl methanesulfonate (MMS), 100mg/kg i.p. Six weeks later, spleen cells were collected for assays of non-selected and 6-thioguanine (TG) selected cloning efficiency to measure the mutant frequency at the Hprt locus. In wild-type mice, there was no significant effect of either MMS treatment or folate dietary content on splenocyte non-selected cloning efficiency. In contrast, non-selected cloning efficiency was significantly higher in MMS-treated Aag null mice than in saline treated controls (diet-gene interaction variable, p=0.04). The non-selected cloning efficiency was significantly higher in the FA+ diet than in the FA- diet group after MMS treatment of Aag null mice. Mutant frequency after MMS treatment was significantly higher in FA- wild-type and Aag null mice and in FA+ Aag null mice, but not in FA+ wild-type mice. For the Aag null mice, mutant frequency was higher in the FA+ mice than in the FA- mice after either saline or MMS treatment. These studies indicate that in wild-type mice treated with MMS, dietary folate content (FA+ or FA-) had no effect on cytotoxicity, but FA- diet increased DNA mutation frequency compared to FA+ diet. In Aag null mice, FA- diet increased the cytotoxic effects of alkylating agents but decreased the risk of DNA mutation.

Critical role of DNA checkpoints in mediating genotoxic-stress-induced filamentous growth in Candida albicans

The polymorphic fungus Candida albicans switches from yeast to filamentous growth in response to a range of genotoxic insults, including inhibition of DNA synthesis by hydroxyurea (HU) or aphidicolin (AC), depletion of the ribonucleotide-reductase subunit Rnr2p, and DNA damage induced by methylmethane sulfonate (MMS) or UV light (UV). Deleting RAD53, which encodes a downstream effector kinase for both the DNA-replication and DNA-damage checkpoint pathways, completely abolished the filamentous growth caused by all the genotoxins tested. Deleting RAD9, which encodes a signal transducer of the DNA-damage checkpoint, specifically blocked the filamentous growth induced by MMS or UV but not that induced by HU or AC. Deleting MRC1, the counterpart of RAD9 in the DNA-replication checkpoint, impaired DNA synthesis and caused cell elongation even in the absence of external genotoxic insults. Together, the results indicate that the DNA-replication/damage checkpoints are critically required for the induction of filamentous growth by genotoxic stress. In addition, either of two mutations in the FHA1 domain of Rad53p, G65A, and N104A, nearly completely blocked the filamentous-growth response but had no significant deleterious effect on cell-cycle arrest. These results suggest that the FHA domain, known for its ability to bind phosphopeptides, has an important role in mediating genotoxic-stress-induced filamentous growth and that such growth is a specific, Rad53p-regulated cellular response in C. albicans.

Deletion of the chromatin remodeling gene SPT10 sensitizes yeast cells to a subclass of DNA-damaging agents

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae SPT10 protein possesses a DNA-binding domain that is fused to a putative histone acetyltransferase domain. It binds specifically to upstream-activating sequence elements in the core histone promoters and plays a direct role in histone gene regulation. SPT10 is also required for cell-cycle-specific K56 acetylation at histone genes, allowing the recruitment of the nucleosome remodeling factor Snf5 and subsequent regulation of gene transcription. We reisolated the SPT10 gene in a functional genome-wide screen designed to identify haploid yeast mutants that are hypersensitive to the antitumor drug bleomycin, which acts by damaging DNA. In addition to bleomycin, we show that spt10Delta mutants are also hypersensitive to a limited set of genotoxic agents that create DNA strand breaks, but not to 254-nm ultraviolet light or 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide, which generate helix distortion. The hypersensitivities of the spt10Delta mutant to the genotoxic agents are rescued by a single copy plasmid carrying the SPT10 gene. We further showed that spt10Delta mutants displayed a modest twofold increase spontaneous mutant frequency, as compared to the parent. Following exposure to bleomycin, these mutants accumulate unrepaired lesions, e.g., DNA strand breaks with blocked 3'-ends in the chromosomal DNA. This defect is not due to the altered expression level or the enzymatic activities of a key DNA repair enzyme, APN1, which is known to repair DNA strand breaks with blocked ends. We propose that SPT10 mediates repair of a subset of DNA lesions by acetylating histones to promote recruitment of DNA repair enzymes.

Hypersensitivity phenotypes associated with genetic and synthetic inhibitor-induced base excision repair deficiency

Single-base lesions in DNA are repaired predominantly by base excision repair (BER). DNA polymerase beta (pol beta) is the polymerase of choice in the preferred single-nucleotide BER pathway. The characteristic phenotype of mouse fibroblasts with a deletion of the pol beta gene is moderate hypersensitivity to monofunctional alkylating agents, e.g., methyl methanesulfonate (MMS). Increased sensitivity to MMS is also seen in the absence of pol beta partner proteins XRCC1 and PARP-1, and under conditions where BER efficiency is reduced by synthetic inhibitors. PARP activity plays a major role in protection against MMS-induced cytotoxicity, and cells treated with a combination of non-toxic concentrations of MMS and a PARP inhibitor undergo cell cycle arrest and die by a Chk1-dependent apoptotic pathway. Since BER-deficient cells and tumors are similarly hypersensitive to the clinically used chemotherapeutic methylating agent temozolomide, modulation of DNA damage-induced cell signaling pathways, as well as BER, are attractive targets for potentiating chemotherapy.

Limiting amounts of budding yeast Rad53 S-phase checkpoint activity results in increased resistance to DNA alkylation damage

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae protein kinase Rad53 plays a key role in maintaining genomic integrity after DNA damage and is an essential component of the 'intra-S-phase checkpoint'. In budding yeast, alkylating chemicals, such as methyl methanesulfonate (MMS), or depletion of nucleotides by hydroxyurea (HU) stall DNA replication forks and thus activate Rad53 during S-phase. This stabilizes stalled DNA replication forks and prevents the activation of later origins of DNA replication. Here, we report that a reduction in the level of Rad53 kinase causes cells to behave very differently in response to DNA alkylation or to nucleotide depletion. While cells lacking Rad53 are unable to activate the checkpoint response to HU or MMS, so that they rapidly lose viability, a reduction in Rad53 enhances cell survival only after DNA alkylation. This reduction in the level of Rad53 allows S-phase cells to maintain the stability of DNA replication forks upon MMS treatment, but does not prevent the collapse of forks in HU. Our results may have important implications for cancer therapies, as they suggest that partial impairment of the S-phase checkpoint Rad53/Chk2 kinase provides cells with a growth advantage in the presence of drugs that damage DNA.

The budding yeast protein Chl1p is required to preserve genome integrity upon DNA damage in S-phase

The budding yeast protein, Chl1p, is required for sister-chromatid cohesion, transcriptional silencing, rDNA recombination and aging. In this work, we show that Chl1p is also required for viability when DNA replication is stressed, either due to mutations or if cells are treated with genotoxic agents like methylmethane sulfonate (MMS) and ultraviolet (UV) rays. The chl1 mutation caused synthetic growth defects with mutations in DNA replication genes. At semi-permissive temperatures, the double mutants grew poorly, were less viable and showed nuclear fragmentation. They were, however, not limited in their bulk DNA synthesis. When chl1 cells were treated with relatively low levels of MMS in S-phase, they lost viability. The S-phase DNA damage checkpoint pathway, however, remained active in these cells. Agarose gel electrophoresis of genomic DNA isolated from wild-type and chl1 cells, after recovery from MMS treatment, suggested that the wild-type was more proficient in the repair of DNA damage than the mutant. Our work suggests that Chl1p is required for genome integrity when cells suffer endogenously or exogenously induced DNA damage.

Evaluation of antimutagenic activity and mechanisms of action of β-glucan from barley, in CHO-k1 and HTC cell lines using the micronucleus test

Due to the need to identify new antimutagenic agents and to determine their mechanism of action, the present study examined the mechanism of action of the beta-glucan with regard to antimutagenicity using the micronucleus assay in CHO-k1 and HTC cell lines. The mutagenicity experiments were performed with three different concentrations of beta-glucan (5, 10, and 20 microg/mL), in wich only the highest dose showed mutagenic activity. In the antimutagenicity experiments, the same concentrations of beta-glucan were combined with a mutagenic agent, methylmethane sulfonate, or 2-aminoanthracene, using four different treatment protocols: pre-treatment, simultaneous treatment (simple and with pre-incubation), and post-treatment. The results indicate that the CHO-k1 cell line treated with MMS presented a chemopreventive activity for all the doses of beta-glucan in the different treatment protocols, except for the lowest dose in post-treatment. When HTC cell line treated with MMS is analysed, a chemopreventive activity can be verified for the highest dose in both pre- and post-treatment. For the simple simultaneous treatment, the three doses demonstrated efficacy, while for the simultaneous treatment with pre-incubation only the intermediate concentration was effective. In HTC treated with 2AA both the lowest dose in the pre-treatment protocol and the post-treatment protocol did not show efficacy in preventing DNA damage. The evaluation of the different protocols and the damage decrease percentages observed suggest that beta-glucan has both desmutagenic and bioantimutagenic activity. It is necessary, however, to note that efficacy and mechanism of action are subject to variation when compared the two cell lines, since in HTC, representing a drug-metabolizing system, this substance can show a diminished chemopreventive capacity.

TIF1 activates the intra-S-phase checkpoint response in the diploid micronucleus and amitotic polyploid macronucleus of Tetrahymena

The ribosomal DNA origin binding protein Tif1p regulates the timing of rDNA replication and is required globally for proper S-phase progression and division of the Tetrahymena thermophila macronucleus. Here, we show that Tif1p safeguards chromosomes from DNA damage in the mitotic micronucleus and amitotic macronucleus. TIF1p localization is dynamically regulated as it moves into the micro- and macronucleus during the respective S phases. TIF1 disruption mutants are hypersensitive to hydroxyurea and methylmethanesulfonate, inducers of DNA damage and intra-S-phase checkpoint arrest in all examined eukaryotes. TIF1 mutants incur double-strand breaks in the absence of exogenous genotoxic stress, destabilizing all five micronuclear chromosomes. Wild-type Tetrahymena elicits an intra-S-phase checkpoint response that is induced by hydroxyurea and suppressed by caffeine, an inhibitor of the apical checkpoint kinase ATR/MEC1. In contrast, hydroxyurea-challenged TIF1 mutants fail to arrest in S phase or exhibit caffeine-sensitive Rad51 overexpression, indicating the involvement of TIF1 in checkpoint activation. Although aberrant micro- and macronuclear division occurs in TIF1 mutants and caffeine-treated wild-type cells, TIF1p bears no similarity to ATR or its substrates. We propose that TIF1 and ATR function in the same epistatic pathway to regulate checkpoint responses in the diploid mitotic micronucleus and polyploid amitotic macronucleus.

[The tk gene mutation analysis in WTK1 cell line by multiplex PCR]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the tk gene mutation spectrum in spontaneous and induced WTK1 mutants.

METHODS

After exposure to methyl methanesulfonate (MMS), mitomycin (MMC) or sodiam azide (NaN3), spontaneously-arising and induced mutants of WTK1 cell line were selected. The spectrum and hotspot of tk gene mutation were analyzed by multiplex PCR.

RESULTS

Three chemicals used in this study induced tk mutation frequency (MF) to increase significantly in a dose-dependent manner; most of the analyzed mutants had lost exon 4 and exon 5-7.

CONCLUSION

Three chemicals have mutagenic effect on WTK1 cell line, and obvious hotspot exists in tk gene mutation.

Evaluation of the alkaline Comet assay conducted with the wetlands plant Bacopa monnieri L. as a model for ecogenotoxicity assessment

Wetlands play a key role in maintaining environmental quality, and wetlands plants could serve as model organisms for determining the genotoxic effects of pollutants contaminating these areas. In the present study, DNA damage was evaluated in a wetlands plant, Bacopa monnieri L., as a potential tool for the assessment of ecogenotoxicity. The Comet assay was used for detecting DNA damage in B. monnieri exposed to two model mutagens, ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) and methyl methanesulfonate (MMS). Significant (P < 0.05) dose-dependent increases in DNA damage were observed following treatments conducted by exposing both isolated nuclei (acellular or in vitro exposure) and whole plants (in vivo exposure) to 0.01-5 mM EMS and 0.05-100 microM MMS for 2 hr at (26 +/- 2) degrees C. The assay was then used to evaluate the genotoxic potential of cadmium (Cd), a wetlands contaminant. In vitro exposure of nuclei from untreated leaves to 0.001-200 microM Cd for 2 hr resulted in significant (P < 0.05) levels of DNA damage. Cd concentrations >or=0.01 microM induced DNA damage as evidenced by increases in the Olive tail moment. In vivo exposure of plants to 0.01-500 microM Cd for 2, 4, and 18 hr resulted in dose- and time-dependent increases in DNA damage in the nuclei isolated from roots and leaves. Cd-induced DNA damage was greater in roots than leaves. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing the use of a wetlands plant for genotoxicity assessment, using the Comet assay.

Dpb11, the budding yeast homolog of TopBP1, functions with the checkpoint clamp in recombination repair

Dpb11 is required for the loading of DNA polymerases α and ɛ on to DNA in chromosomal DNA replication and interacts with the DNA damage checkpoint protein Ddc1 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The interaction between the homologs of Dpb11 and Ddc1 in human cells and fission yeast is thought to reflect their involvement in the checkpoint response. Here we show that dpb11-1 cells, carrying a mutated Dpb11 that cannot interact with Ddc1, are defective in the repair of methyl methanesulfonate (MMS)-induced DNA damage but not in the DNA damage checkpoint at the permissive temperature. Epistatic analyses suggested that Dpb11 is involved in the Rad51/Rad52-dependent recombination pathway. Ddc1 as well as Dpb11 were required for homologous recombination induced by MMS. Moreover, we found the in vivo association of Dpb11 and Ddc1 with not only the HO-induced double-strand break (DSB) site at MAT locus but also the donor sequence HML during homologous recombination between MAT and HML. Rad51 was required for their association with the HML donor locus, but not with DSB site at the MAT locus. In addition, the association of Dpb11 with the MAT and HML locus after induction of HO-induced DSB was dependent on Ddc1. These results indicate that, besides the involvement in the replication and checkpoint, Dpb11 functions with Ddc1 in the recombination repair process itself.

Characterization of four RecQ homologues from rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. Nipponbare)

The RecQ family of DNA helicases is conserved throughout the biological kingdoms. In this report, we have characterized four RecQ homologues clearly expressed in rice. OsRecQ1, OsRecQ886, and OsRecQsim expressions were strongly detected in meristematic tissues. Transcription of the OsRecQ homologues was differentially induced by several types of DNA-damaging agents. The expression of four OsRecQ homologues was induced by MMS and bleomycin. OsRecQ1 and OsRecQ886 were induced by H(2)O(2), and MitomycinC strongly induced the expression of OsRecQ1. Transient expression of OsRecQ/GFP fusion proteins demonstrated that OsRecQ2 and OsRecQ886 are found in nuclei, whereas OsRecQ1 and OsRecQsim are found in plastids. Neither OsRecQ1 nor OsRecQsim are induced by light. These results indicate that four of the RecQ homologues have different and specific functions in DNA repair pathways, and that OsRecQ1 and OsRecQsim may not involve in plastid differentiation but different aspects of a plastid-specific DNA repair system.

Development of the in vivo chromosome aberration assay in oyster (Crassostrea gigas) embryo-larvae for genotoxicity assessment

Bioassay methods currently used to assess the toxicity of effluents, transitional and marine waters measure endpoints such as larval immobilisation or mortality, however, they offer limited data regarding important sub-lethal effects, including genotoxicity. The metaphase chromosome aberration (CAb) assay is routinely used in mammalian systems for testing samples for genotoxicity. In the current study, an in vivo CAb test system has been developed and optimised for use with the early (embryo-larval) life stages of the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas, a species used routinely in both effluent hazard assessment and marine environmental monitoring programmes. The method was validated with two reference mutagens: Methylmethanesulfonate, a direct acting mutagen; and benzo[a]pyrene an indirect acting reference mutagen.

Histone acetyltransferase 1 is dispensable for replication-coupled chromatin assembly but contributes to recover DNA damages created following replication blockage in vertebrate cells

Histone acetyltransferase 1 (HAT1) is implicated for diacetylation of Lys-5 and Lys-12 of newly synthesized histone H4, the biological significance of which remains unclear. To investigate the in vivo role of HAT1, we generated HAT1-deficient DT40 clone (HAT1(-/-)). HAT1(-/-) cells exhibited greatly reduced diacetylation levels of Lys-5 and Lys-12, and acetylation level of Lys-5 of cytosolic and chromatin histones H4, respectively. The in vitro nucleosome assembly assay and in vivo MNase digestion assay revealed that HAT1 and diacetylation of Lys-5 and Lys-12 of histone H4 are dispensable for replication-coupled chromatin assembly. HAT1(-/-) cells had mild growth defect, conferring sensitivities to methyl methanesulfonate and camptothecin that enforce replication blocks creating DNA double strand breaks. Such heightened sensitivities were associated with prolonged late-S/G2 phase. These results indicate that HAT1 participates in recovering replication block-mediated DNA damages, probably through chromatin modulation based on acetylation of Lys-5 and Lys-12 of histone H4.

Posttranscriptional derepression of GADD45alpha by genotoxic stress

The growth arrest- and DNA damage-inducible gene GADD45alpha is potently upregulated in response to stress stimuli. Here, two RNA binding proteins, the mRNA decay-promoting AUF1 and the translational suppressor TIAR, were found to interact specifically with the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of the GADD45alpha mRNA in HeLa cells. These associations were prominent in unstimulated cells, decreasing dramatically after treatment with the genotoxin methyl methanesulfonate (MMS). Analysis of both endogenous and chimeric GADD45alpha mRNA revealed that in untreated cells AUF1 strongly reduced GADD45alpha mRNA stability, whereas TIAR potently inhibited GADD45alpha translation. After genotoxic stress, AUF1 and TIAR dissociated from the GADD45alpha mRNA, thereby allowing coordinated elevations in both GADD45alpha mRNA half-life and translation rate, respectively. We propose that the posttranscriptional derepression of GADD45alpha critically contributes to its potent upregulation after DNA damage.

Homologous recombination prevents methylation-induced toxicity in Escherichia coli

Methylating agents such as N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) and methyl methane sulfonate (MMS) produce a wide variety of N- and O-methylated bases in DNA, some of which can block replication fork progression. Homologous recombination is a mechanism by which chromosome replication can proceed despite the presence of lesions. The two major recombination pathways, RecBCD and RecFOR, which repair double-strand breaks (DSBs) and single-strand gaps respectively, are needed to protect against toxicity with the RecBCD system being more important. We find that recombination-deficient cell lines, such as recBCD recF, and ruvC recG, are as sensitive to the cytotoxic effects of MMS and MNNG as the most base excision repair (BER)-deficient (alkA tag) isogenic mutant strain. Recombination and BER-deficient double mutants (alkA tag recBCD) were more sensitive to MNNG and MMS than the single mutants suggesting that homologous recombination and BER play essential independent roles. Cells deleted for the polA (DNA polymerase I) or priA (primosome) genes are as sensitive to MMS and MNNG as alkA tag bacteria. Our results suggest that the mechanism of cytotoxicity by alkylating agents includes the necessity for homologous recombination to repair DSBs and single-strand gaps produced by DNA replication at blocking lesions or single-strand nicks resulting from AP-endonuclease action.

Selective degradation of reverse gyrase and DNA fragmentation induced by alkylating agent in the archaeon Sulfolobus solfataricus

Reverse gyrase is a peculiar DNA topoisomerase, specific of hyperthermophilic Archaea and Bacteria, which has the unique ability of introducing positive supercoiling into DNA molecules. Although the function of the enzyme has not been established directly, it has been suggested to be involved in DNA protection and repair. We show here that the enzyme is degraded after treatment of Sulfolobus solfataricus cells with the alkylating agent MMS. MMS-induced reverse gyrase degradation is highly specific, since (i) neither hydroxyurea (HU) nor puromycin have a similar effect, and (ii) topoisomerase VI and two chromatin components are not degraded. Reverse gyrase degradation does not depend on protein synthesis. Experiments in vitro show that direct exposure of cell extracts to MMS does not induce reverse gyrase degradation; instead, extracts from MMS-treated cells contain some factor(s) able to degrade the enzyme in extracts from control cells. In vitro, degradation is blocked by incubation with divalent metal chelators, suggesting that reverse gyrase is selectively degraded by a metal-dependent protease in MMS-treated cells. In addition, we find a striking concurrence of extensive genomic DNA degradation and reverse gyrase loss in MMS-treated cells. These results support the hypothesis that reverse gyrase plays an essential role in DNA thermoprotection and repair in hyperthermophilic organisms.

Genotoxicity evaluation of kaurenoic acid, a bioactive diterpenoid present in Copaiba oil

Copaiba oil extracted from the Amazon traditional medicinal plant Copaifera langsdorffii is rich in kaurenoic acid (ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid), a diterpene that has been shown to exert anti-inflammatory, hypotensive, and diuretic effects in vivo and antimicrobial, smooth muscle relaxant and cytotoxic actions in vitro. This study evaluated its potential genotoxicity against Chinese hamster lung fibroblast (V79) cells in vitro, using the Comet and the micronucleus assays. Kaurenoic acid was tested at concentrations of 2.5, 5,10, 30 and 60 microg/mL. The positive control was the methylmethanesulfonate (MMS). The duration of the treatment of V79 cells with these agents was 3h. The results showed that unlike MMS, kaurenoic acid (2.5, 5, and 10 microg/mL) failed to induce significantly elevated cell DNA damage or the micronucleus frequencies in the studied tests. However, exposure of V79 cells to higher concentrations of kaurenoic acid (30 and 60 microg/mL) caused significant increases in cell damage index and frequency. The data obtained provide support to the view that the diterpene kaurenoic acid induces genotoxicity.

Fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase mediates cellular responses to DNA damage and aging in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Response to DNA damage, lack of nutrients and other stress conditions is an essential property of living systems. The coordinate response includes DNA damage repair, activation of alternate biochemical pathways, adjustment of cellular proliferation and cell cycle progression as well as drastic measures like cellular suicide which prevents proliferation of severely damaged cells. Investigating the transcriptional response of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to low doses of the alkylating agent methylmethane sulfonate (MMS) we observed induction of genes involved in glucose metabolism. RT-PCR analysis showed that the expression of the key enzyme in gluconeogenesis fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBP1) was clearly up-regulated by MMS in glucose-rich medium. Interestingly, deletion of FBP1 led to reduced sensitivity to MMS, but not to other DNA-damaging agents, such as 4-NQO or phleomycin. Reintroduction of FBP1 in the knockout restored the wild-type phenotype while overexpression increased MMS sensitivity of wild-type, shortened life span and increased induction of RNR2 after treatment with MMS. Deletion of FBP1 reduced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in response to MMS treatment and in untreated aged cells, and increased the amount of cells able to propagate and to form colonies, but had no influence on the genotoxic effect of MMS. Our results indicate that FBP1 influences the connection between DNA damage, aging and oxidative stress through either direct signalling or an intricate adaptation in energy metabolism.