Detection of carcinogen-induced DNA breaks by nick translation in permeable cells

Selective targeting of death receptor 5 circumvents resistance of MG-63 osteosarcoma cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), a tumor necrosis factor superfamily member, targets death receptors and selectively kills malignant cells while leaving normal cells unaffected. However, unlike most cancers, many osteosarcomas are resistant to TRAIL. To investigate this resistance, we characterized the response of MG-63 osteosarcoma cells and hPOB-tert osteoblast-like cells to TRAIL and agonist antibodies to death receptor 4 (DR4) and death receptor 5 (DR5). We found that MG-63 osteosarcoma cells and hPOB-tert osteoblast-like cells show no or very little response to TRAIL or a DR4 agonist, but MG-63 cells undergo apoptosis in response to a DR5 agonist. Analysis of TRAIL receptor expression showed that normal osteoblastic and osteosarcoma cells express a variety of TRAIL receptors but this does not correlate to TRAIL responsiveness. Production of the soluble decoy receptor osteoprotegerin also could not explain TRAIL resistance. We show that TRAIL activates the canonical caspase-dependent pathway, whereas treatment with cycloheximide increases the sensitivity of MG-63 cells to TRAIL and anti-DR5 and can also sensitize hPOB-tert cells to both agents. Proapoptotic and antiapoptotic protein expression does not significantly differ between MG-63 and hPOB-tert cells or change following treatment with TRAIL or anti-DR5. However, sequencing the death domain of DR4 in several osteoblast-like cells showed that MG-63 osteosarcoma cells are heterozygous for a dominant-negative mutation, which can confer TRAIL resistance. These results suggest that although the dominant-negative form of the receptor may block TRAIL-induced death, an agonist antibody to the active death receptor can override cellular defenses and thus provide a tailored approach to treat resistant osteosarcomas.

Osmotic Stress and DNA Damage

Mammalian renal inner medullary cells are normally exposed to extremely high NaCl concentrations. The interstitial NaCl concentration in parts of a normal renal medulla can be 500 mM or more, depending on the species. Remarkably, under these normal conditions, the high NaCl causes DNA damage, yet the cells survive and function both in cell culture and in vivo. Both in cell culture and in vivo the breaks are repaired rapidly if the NaCl concentration is lowered. This chapter describes two methods used to detect and study the DNA damage induced by osmotic stress: comet assay or single cell electrophoresis and TUNEL assay or in situ labeling of 3'-OH ends of DNA strands. This chapter also discusses how specifics of the protocols influence the conclusions about types of DNA damage and what the limitations of these methods are for detecting different types of DNA damage.

Comparative evaluation of genotoxicity of captan in amphibian larvae (Xenopus laevis and Pleurodeles waltl) using the comet assay and the micronucleus test

Captan (N-trichloromethylthio-4-cyclohexene-1,2-dicarboximide) is a fungicide used to inhibit the growth of many types of fungi on plants used as foodstuffs. The toxic and genotoxic potentials of captan were evaluated with the micronucleus test (MNT; AFNOR,2000) and the comet assay (CA) using amphibian larvae (Xenopus laevis and Pleurodeles waltl). Acute toxicity results showed that captan was toxic (1) to Xenopus larvae exposed to from 2 mg/L to 125 or 62.5 microg/L, depending on the nature of the water [reconstituted water containing mineral salts or mineral water (MW; Volvic, Danone, France)] and (2) to Pleurodeles exposed to from 2 mg/L to 125 microg/L in both types of water. The MNT results obtained in MW showed that captan (62.5 microg/L) was genotoxic to Xenopus but not genotoxic to Pleurodeles at all concentrations tested. CA established that the genotoxicity of captan to Xenopus and Pleurodeles larvae depended on the concentration, the exposure times, and the comet parameters (tail DNA, TEM, OTM, and TL). The CA and MNT results were compared for their ability to detect DNA damage at the concentrations of captan and the exposure times applied. CA showed captan to be genotoxic from the first day of exposure. In amphibians, CA appears to be a sensitive and suitable method for detecting genotoxicity such as that caused by captan.

Analysis of the stem cell sparing properties of cyclophosphamide

OBJECTIVES

Cyclophosphamide was examined for its ability to spare the most primitive hematopoietic stem cell (PHSC).

METHODS

C57BL6/J mice (Groups A and B) were sacrificed 24 h and 4-6 wk, respectively, after a single or second injection of low-dose cyclophosphamide (90 mg/kg) on days 1, 3, 7, or 15. A competitive repopulation assay was then performed, using B6-HbbdGpi-1a competitor cells, to determine the repopulating ability of exposed PHSC.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

PHSC function was preserved after a single injection of cyclophosphamide and after a second injection on days 7 and 15 in both groups. In Group A, PHSC repopulating ability declined after a second injection on days 1 and 3 (p<0.05 only for day 1), as did repopulating units [RU]; PHSC numbers did not. In Group B, an insignificant decrease in repopulating ability and RU numbers was observed after a second injection on days 1 and 3, suggesting different etiologies for losses in the 2 groups, or correction of drug-induced defects within 1 month of cyclophosphamide administration. Total RU increased in single, day 1, 7 and 15 treatment groups. A significant number of marrow cells entered the S phase after cyclophosphamide dosing on day 3, and it is possible that a relationship exists between cell cycling and replicative damage. DNA damage was also increased 1 and 3 d after cyclophosphamide administration, although the significance of differences from controls was not definitive.

CONCLUSION

Low-dose cyclophosphamide can spare stem cells, depending upon the timing of subsequent doses.

Methods for registration of spontaneous DNA instability in mammalian cells

A phenomenon of spontaneous DNA instability displays itself as the low level of repair DNA synthesis that takes place during any cell cycle phases. However, there is a problem in detection of very low intensive repair DNA synthesis. This paper suggests two approaches to detect the spontaneous DNA instability. The first method involves a blockade of the DNA gaps sealing by a combination of inhibitors, hydroxyurea and arabinofuranosyl cytosine. An accumulation of single strand gaps leads to production of DNA double strand breaks and results to reproductive inactivation of cells. It was shown that registration of both these events by different methods (such as viscoelastometry of DNA, orthogonal pulse electrophoresis or comet assay for double strand breaks as well as effectiveness of colony growth for cell inactivation) may be used as suitable measure of the spontaneous DNA instability. The second approach bases on photolysis of bromodeoxyuridine incorporated into repair DNA patches during the spontaneous repair DNA synthesis. Long wave UV irradiation of cells containing bromodeoxyuridine labeled DNA stained with Hoechst 33342 causes their inactivation. Experimental results presented confirm that both methods actually detect the spontaneous DNA instability. It takes note of the spontaneous DNA instability varies for cells from different tissues and species and increases during aging.

Transgenic mice overexpressing type 2 nitric-oxide synthase in pancreatic beta cells develop insulin-dependent diabetes without insulitis

We generated transgenic mice carrying the mouse type 2 nitric-oxide synthase (NOS2) cDNA under the control of the insulin promoter. Western and immunohistochemical analyses revealed that NOS2 was expressed abundantly in transgenic islets but not in control islets. When islets were isolated and cultured, high levels of nitrite were released from the transgenic islets. In transgenic mice, the beta cell mass was markedly reduced without the infiltration of macrophages or lymphocytes, and extensive DNA strand breaks were detected in the islets by in situ nick translation. All the transgenic mice developed hypoinsulinemic diabetes by 4 weeks of age, and treatment with an inhibitor of NOS2, aminoguanidine (200 mg/kg body weight every 12 h), prevented or delayed the development of diabetes. The present study shows that the production of nitric oxide by beta cell NOS2 plays an essential role in the beta cell degeneration.

Free radical-dependent suppression of growth of mouse myeloma cells by alpha-linolenic and eicosapentaenoic acids in vitro

Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) exhibited potent cytotoxic action on SP 2/0 mouse myeloma cells in vitro. Both SOD and vitamin E could inhibit the action of ALA and EPA indicating a role for reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxides. In addition, both ALA and EPA enhanced the formation of superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxides, and caused a reduction in the levels of antioxidant enzymes: SOD, catalase and glutathione peroxidase and induced significant damage to DNA in SP 2/0 cells. Thus, ALA and EPA inhibit antioxidant defenses of the cell and damage the DNA, which can ultimately lead to tumor cell lysis.

Detection of single-strand breaks and formamidopyrimidine-DNA glycosylase-sensitive sites in DNA of cultured human fibroblasts

Under oxidative stress 7,8-dihydro-8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG), a damaged base with mutagenic potential, and single-strand breaks (SSB) are formed in DNA. Both lesions are frequently used as a parameter for oxidative damage of DNA. Here we report on results from the evaluation of a modified nick translation assay, where 8-oxodG and SSB formation in cellular DNA of cultured human fibroblasts were simultaneously detected. The assay is based on a method previously described by others, with several modifications in reaction conditions and type of substrate. We used formamidopyrimidine-DNA glycosylase (FPG) in our assay in order to measure the formation of FPG-sensitive lesions (which include 8-oxodG) in DNA of human fibroblasts in response to ionising radiation. The quantification of the DNA damage was based on calibration experiments with plasmid DNA pUC19. Dose-response curves of SSB and FPG-sensitive lesion formation in human fibroblasts VH-10 were established. A very low background level of 8-oxodG was detected in unirradiated fibroblasts (approx. 500 residues per cell).

Demonstration of DNA damage/repair in individual cells using in situ end labelling: association of p53 with sites of DNA damage

We describe the development and application of in situ end labelling (ISEL) to identity sites of damaged DNA in the nuclei of individual cells. In cell culture, exposure to a variety of genotoxic agents induced a dose and time-dependent increase in nuclear labelling. In addition, examination of histological sections of human skin exposed to solar-stimulated UV light showed ISEL in both keratinocytes and superficial dermal cells, with the same spatial and temporal distribution as that of a marker of DNA repair, PCNA (proliferating cell nuclear antigen). Using co-localization techniques and confocal microscopy, we found increased levels of p53 in many ISEL-positive cells in vitro, with a similar distribution of labelling in the nucleus. This observation provides further evidence for a direct role of p53 in the recognition of damaged DNA. Thus, ISEL should prove a convenient method for demonstrating genotoxic insult in individual cells and in histological material, and may have value in toxicological screening. This high-resolution microscopy technique can also be used to compare the spatial distribution of various proteins implicated in the response to DNA damage with the sites of the lesion.

The comet assay: a comprehensive review

The comet assay is a sensitive and rapid method for DNA strand break detection in individual cells. Its use has increased significantly in the past few years. This paper is a review of the studies published to date that have made use of the comet assay. The principles of strand break detection using both the alkaline and neutral versions of the technique are discussed, and a basic methodology with currently used variations is presented. Applications in different fields are reviewed and possible future directions of the technique are briefly explored.

Detection of DNA single-strand breaks in lymphocytes of smokers

In a controlled study, ten male volunteers (five smokers and five nonsmokers) were subjected to different smoking conditions and compared to five nonsmokers, not exposed to cigarette smoke. During the 4 days of the study, nonsmoking periods were strictly controlled. On the first day the ten subjects were sham exposed. On the second day the five smokers smoked 24 cigarettes in 8 h, while the five nonsmokers were exposed to the environmental tobacco smoke. After another day of sham exposure the smoke exposure was repeated under the same conditions. Blood was drawn before and after exposure and DNA single-strand breaks (SSBs) were analyzed in lymphocytes immediately (1 h) after isolation of cells and after 4 h incubation at 37 degrees C, using a modified assay based on the nick translation reaction. Base levels of unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) and UDS levels were determined after 1 h incubation with methyl methanesulfonate. Duplicate analysis using the same method was performed in a second laboratory after transportation of blood samples at 0 degree C on a train from Munich to Hamburg. Tobacco smoke exposure of the subjects increased COHb and plasma cotinine levels. SSBs could be detected in all probands with some interindividual day-to-day and morning-to-evening variations. In four of five active smokers, SSB increases were found after smoking. In nonsmokers exposed to tobacco smoke no exposure-related variation in SSB levels could be detected.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A novel technique for the detection of DNA single-strand breaks in human white blood cells and its combination with the unscheduled DNA synthesis assay

A modified assay for the detection of DNA single-strand breaks (SSBs) in human mononucleated white blood cells (MWBCs) based on the nick translation (NT) reaction was developed and combined with the test for unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS). Both assays were performed on disposable 96-well filtration plates and therefore allowed rapid and sensitive examination of SSBs and UDS. Only 5-8 ml of heparinized blood is required for an eightfold determination in both assays. The uptake of radioactive nucleotide precursors was demonstrated to depend linearly upon the NT reaction time and in both assay systems on the number of investigated cells. The best results and the lowest signal to noise ratio were obtained when the NT assay was performed at 25 degrees C for 20 min. The test was standardized for 150,000 MWBCs/well and a polymerase I concentration of 20 U/ml. The same number of cells were used to measure UDS during a 4-h incubation at 37 degrees C. We observed a dose-dependent increase in SSBs after in vitro incubation with N-methyl-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG), with a detection limit of 50 microM when MNNG was present for 1 h and of 5 microM after 20-h incubation period. UDS in MWBCs was increased after treatment for 1 h with MNNG (200 microM) only if poly(ADP)ribose synthesis was inhibited by 3-aminobenzamide. UDS was induced by 320 microM methyl methanesulfonate, but SSBs could only be detected after inhibition of UDS by 100 microM hydroxyurea.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The origins of DNA breaks: a consequence of DNA damage, DNA repair, or apoptosis?

DNA breaks can arise from many sources after incubation of cells with toxic agents. Very few agents break DNA directly, rather most breaks occur as a result of metabolic participation by the cell, such as during attempts to repair the damage. It is now realized that many DNA breaks arise as a consequence of steps in the pathway of cell death. Upon reanalyzing the methodology commonly used to detect DNA breaks, it is evident that many studies would not have observed DNA breaks associated with cell death. Frequently experimental conditions have been used that are extremely toxic to cells with the justification that the cells were still viable as measured by their ability to exclude dyes such as trypan blue. However, the DNA digestion associated with cell death by apoptosis occurs prior to changes in membrane integrity. Because the possibility of endogenous endonuclease activity was not realized, many studies may have inaccurately assumed that DNA breaks arose during, for example, inhibition of DNA repair or as intermediates in recombination. In light of the new understanding of apoptosis and the formation of DNA breaks as an early event in cell death, it is important to both reevaluate past conclusions and to ensure that future studies fully consider the breaks derived from the cytotoxicity of every agent under investigation.

Neoplastic transformation and DNA damage of mouse mammary epithelial cells by N-methyl-N'-nitrosourea in organ culture

An appropriate in vitro system was used to study the effect of a direct-acting carcinogen on the transformation of mammary epithelial cells in the organ culture of the whole mammary gland in vitro. Studies were done to determine the ability of N-methyl-N'-nitrosourea (MNU) to transform the mammary cells in organ culture. Mouse mammary glands were treated with single or multiple doses of MNU during various periods of the culture. To assay for neoplastic transformation potential of MNU on mammary cells, mammary glands were dissociated and the cells were injected into the parenchyma-free inguinal mammary fat pad of syngeneic virgin female host mice. Palpable tumors were observed in injected glands of 23% of the mice after 3-4 months and an additional 31% showed serially transplantable hyperplastic alveolar nodules (HANs). Histopathologic examination of the tissues showed that the tumors were mammary adenocarcinoma. All tumors and hyperplasias were secondarily transplanted into syngeneic animals, resulting in tumors and hyperplasias of similar histopathology. In addition, DNA damage of the epithelial cells in organ culture caused by MNU was also measurable using the new nick translation assay. The most extensive DNA damage occurred when the glands were treated on day 4 and day 5 of the mammogenic culture period. These results demonstrate that the mouse mammary epithelial cells are susceptible to the carcinogenic action of the direct-acting carcinogen MNU and that the whole mammary gland-culture system offers an appropriate in vitro model for studying the mechanism of carcinogenesis induced by MNU.

Adriamycin-induced DNA strand breaks in HeLa and in P388 leukaemia cells detected using in situ nick translation

DNA strand breaks produced by adriamycin (ADR) were measured in HeLa cells and ADR-sensitive and -resistant P388 leukaemia cells, using the in situ nick translation method. The break sites in the DNA were translated artificially in the presence of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I and 3H-labelled dTTP, and were visualized by autoradiographic observation of the grains. The DNA strand breaks in the HeLa cells increased in a dose-dependent manner, compared with findings in the untreated control cells, i.e., 15.2 fold at 20 micrograms/ml of ADR for 1 h. This level correlated with DNA single-strand breaks detected by the alkaline elution method. DNA breaks were also noted in the ADR-sensitive P388 cells, but in the ADR-resistant cells the level of DNA strand breaks was low. The enhanced cytotoxicity is apparently the consequence of the enhanced potential of ADR to cause breaks in the DNA strands. Our findings show that the survival response of the cells decreases and the level of DNA strand breaks increases following exposure to ADR. ADR resistance may be mediated by a reduction in the level of DNA strand breaks.

Techniques to measure DNA single-strand breaks in cells: a review

Alkaline sucrose sedimentation was for a number of years the standard procedure for the measurement of single-strand breaks. Some years ago a number of new techniques with improved sensitivity were introduced. The following techniques are presented and discussed: alkaline unwinding, alkaline filter elution, nucleoid sedimentation, viscoelastometry, microelectrophoresis of single cells, DNA precipitation, pulse field gel electrophoresis, fluctuation spectroscopy and nick translation.

Introduction and metabolism of pentose and hexose phosphates in permeabilized Morris hepatoma 5123TC cells

Metabolism of arabinose 5-P, ribose 5-P and glucose 6-P in permeabilized and resealed Morris hepatoma 5123TC cells was investigated by measuring the contribution of these compounds to nucleic acid biosynthesis. The level of [14C]-arabinose (non-phosphorylated) incorporation into nucleic acids was slight, presumably due to the low activity of the transport system or the absence or low activity of a specific 'kinase' enzyme. The permeabilizing procedure involved the brief treatment of Morris hepatoma 5123TC cells with lysolecithin and resulted in a cell population which was permeable to charged compounds i.e. sugar phosphates and nucleotides, that otherwise could not cross the plasma membrane. The permeabilized (and resealed cells) retained normal cellular morphology and intactness of specific organelles as judged by the maintenance of functional properties. Following permeabilization, these cells resealed when transferred back to normal growth medium, and continued to divide and increase at the same rates as control non-permeabilized cell cultures. The permeabilized cells incorporated deoxyribonucleotides ([methyl -3H]-TTP) into DNA at a linear rate of 0.047 nmol per 10(7) cells min-1, representing 90-100 per cent of the DNA synthesis rate in vivo. The permeabilization technique, when coupled with procedures to establish cell synchrony, permitted the comparative estimate of the contributions of [14C]-labelled arabinose 5-P, ribose 5-P and glucose 6-P to RNA, DNA, amino acids, CO2, lactate and sugar mono- and bisphosphates. The percentage of [14C]-isotope incorporated into total nucleic acids by these three labelled sugar phosphates were 2.3, 4.9 and 6.3 respectively. Possible reasons for the lower incorporation of 14C from arabinose 5-P are given. The results are consistent with the proposal that arabinose 5-P, an intermediate of the L-type pentose pathway activity of 5123TC cells, was incorporated into nucleic acids by its interconversion with ribulose 5-P and ribose 5-P and thus into PRPP. This study represents the first report of sugar phosphate as opposed to free sugar metabolism by tumour cells in culture.

DNA strand breaks in rat tissues as detected by in situ nick translation

The nick-translation procedure without external addition of DNase was performed in situ on sections of various rat organs to detect possible DNA single-strand breaks (nicks) in normal tissues. The freshly frozen sections were briefly fixed in ethanol/acetone and nick-translated in the presence of E. coli DNA polymerase I. A significant difference in the amount of nuclear reaction was found among the different cell populations as detected by autoradiography following incorporation of tritiated TTP as well as by histochemical staining following incorporation of biotin-dUTP into nuclei. Such incorporation of triphosphates was localized in the DNA and was entirely dependent on E. coli DNA polymerase I. The nuclei with the highest reactivity were found in skeletal muscle cells, lymphocytes in various lymphatic organs, the proliferative cells in the gastrointestinal tract, stratified squamous epithelial cells, duct epithelial cells of salivary gland and the maturing spermatids in the seminiferous tubules. These results suggest that, under the conditions adopted, the cells in various tissues reveal different chromatin structures resulting in varying rates of nick translation reaction. Such difference(s) in chromatin structure, presumably including that in the number of DNA single-strand breaks or in the level of endogenous nuclease activity, may be associated with the mechanisms involved in cell growth and differentiation.

Evaluation of putative inhibitors of DNA excision repair in cultured human cells by the rapid nick translation assay

A human fibroblast nick translation assay has been applied to an examination of 48 diverse chemical agents to assess their ability to specifically interfere with the DNA excision-repair process following ultraviolet irradiation. Certain inhibitors of DNA polymerase, ribonucleotide reductase and purine and pyrimidine biosynthesis are shown to inhibit the resynthesis step of repair while DNA intercalators and inhibitors of DNA topoisomerases appear to inhibit the incision step. A variety of other agents previously implicated as inhibitors of DNA repair was also examined and found to have no such effect. This type of analysis should prove useful in the rapid identification of new classes of compounds that antagonize normal cellular repair functions and that might, therefore, act as comutagens or cocarcinogens.

Genotoxicity of formaldehyde and an evaluation of its effects on the DNA repair process in human diploid fibroblasts

Formaldehyde treatment of human fibroblasts gave rise to DNA damage detected by a nick translation assay. This damage was not repaired by typical 'long-patch'-type excision repair as evidenced by the failure of DNA repair inhibitor post-treatment to elevate the amount of DNA strand breakage. In addition, the effects of formaldehyde on DNA repair were examined in light of a recent report suggesting that formaldehyde inhibited the repair of X-ray-induced strand breaks and UV- and benzo [a]pyrene diol epoxide-induced unscheduled DNA synthesis in human bronchial cells. We report that formaldehyde (1) was ineffective at inhibiting the sealing of X-ray- or bleomycin-induced DNA strand breaks, (2) did not inhibit the removal of pyrimidine dimers from cellular DNA at short treatment times, and (3) that the previously observed inhibition of unscheduled DNA synthesis was most likely due to the inhibition of uptake of labeled precursor into formaldehyde-treated cells. Thus, our findings are not consistent with the notion that formaldehyde inhibits the repair process in human fibroblasts. Finally, formaldehyde was shown to elevate the level of misincorporation of bases into synthetic polynucleotides catalyzed by E. coli DNA polymerase I, indicating that the mutagenicity of formaldehyde may be due to covalent alteration of DNA bases.

Nick translation--a new assay for monitoring DNA damage and repair in cultured human fibroblasts

An in vitro assay has been developed to detect DNA damage and repair following chemical treatment of human diploid fibroblasts. DNA damage is measured by following the Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I-catalyzed incorporation of radiolabeled deoxycytidine triphosphate (dCTP) into the DNA of lysolecithin-permeabilized cells. DNA strand breaks with free 3' OH termini serve as template sites for incorporation, and decrease of this incorporation with time, following removal of the test chemical, indicates loss (repair) of initial damage. Inhibition of the DNA excision repair process by the addition of the repair inhibitors arabinofuranosyl cytosine (ara-C) and hydroxyurea (HU) during the incubation period gives rise to an increased number of template sites, manifesting itself in increased incorporation and indicating the induction of long-patch excision repair. This nick translation assay, originally proposed by Nose and Okamoto [1983], is very sensitive, allows detection and quantitation of both DNA damage and repair, distinguishes between various types of induced damage, does not require radioactive prelabeling of cells, and circumvents some of the problems inherent in unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) assays. The assay is also useful in detecting those agents that inhibit replicative DNA synthesis and/or the excision repair process. Results presented demonstrate that all 14 direct-acting carcinogens tested and 8 of 14 carcinogens requiring metabolic activation give positive indication of DNA damage, repair, or both. Eleven of 14 noncarcinogens tested were scored as negative, the other 3 having previously been shown to interact with cellular DNA. This assay is shown to have predictive capability at least equal to that of UDS assays but to allow a broader spectrum of genotoxic effects to be analyzed.

Inhibition by flavonoids of RNA synthesis in permeable WI-38 cells and of transcription by RNA polymerase II

The effects of various flayonoids on RNA synthesis in permeable human fibroblasts or on transcription with mouse RNA polymerase II were studied. Quercetin or kaempferol inhibited transcription in permeable cells but flavone did so only slightly. In the transcription of naked DNA with purified RNA polymerase II, mutagenic quercetin, kaempferol or fisetin strongly inhibited the reaction but non-mutagenic or weakly mutagenic flavone and chrysin inhibited it only weakly. Quercetin seems to inhibit the transcription by interaction with the enzyme.