3-Aminobenzamide does not affect X-ray-induced cytogenetic damage in G0 human lymphocytes

Micronuclei and 3AB index in X-irradiated human lymphocytes in G0 and G1 phases

We applied the cytokines-block micronucleus assay to observe the radiobiological response of human lymphocytes after X-ray treatment in the G0 and G1 phases. In addition, we used 3-aminobenzamide (3AB) to measure the 3AB index in the two phases. The experimental results show that at 2 Gy the MN yield and the 3AB index are dependent on the cell phase and show considerable inter-individual variability. The radiation-induced MN frequency obtained for 33 subjects is 0.470 +/- 0.063 for the G0 phase and 0.689 +/- 0.139 for the G1 phase; the 3AB index values are 0.326 +/- 0.144 and 0.067 +/- 0.058 for G0 and G1 phases, respectively. At the individual level, the 3AB index for the G1 phase correlates inversely with the cytogenetic effects observed in that phase. We discuss the possibility of applying the MN test combined with the 3AB index to lymphocytes at different phases to study the individual response to radiation (individual radiosensitivity).

Biological dosimetry of absorbed radiation by C-banding of interphase chromosomes in peripheral blood lymphocytes

Induction of premature chromosome condensation enables direct observation of radiation-induced cytogenetic damage in non-stimulated, interphase, human peripheral blood lymphocytes. This phenomenon can be explored in radiation protection for biological dosimetry in instances of accidental exposure to ionizing radiation. Quantification of an exposure by means of this approach has been limited so far mainly to the analysis of chromosome fragments. This limitation is due to the fact that conventional Giemsa staining of prematurely condensed chromosomes (PCCs) does not allow visualization of the centromeric regions and, as a result, the identification of dicentrics, centric rings and acentric fragments. In the present report a C-banding procedure, refined to avoid swelling and chromosome distortion of freshly prepared PCCs spreads, is used to identify such aberrations in non-stimulated human lymphocytes. The method allows immediate banding of the centromeric regions and enables scoring of aberrations within a time interval (3-4 h after blood sample withdrawal) that is only a fraction of that normally required when cells stimulated to proliferate are analysed at metaphase. The dose-response for dicentrics and centric rings measured in interphase lymphocytes was found to be similar to that obtained at metaphase. Measurement of dicentrics and centric rings in prematurely condensed chromosomes of human lymphocytes would provide valuable information on radiation dose estimates, especially in cases of extreme urgency.

Poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase: a perplexing participant in cellular responses to DNA breakage

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase is a major nuclear protein of 116 kd, coded by a gene on chromosome 1, that plays a role in cellular responses to DNA breakage. The polymerase binds to DNA at single- and double-strand breaks and synthesizes long branched chains of poly(ADP-ribose), which covalently, but transiently, modifies itself and numerous other cellular proteins and depletes cells of NAD+. This much is known, but the physiological role of the polymerization-degradation cycle is still unclear. Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of proteins generally inhibits their function and can dissociated chromatin proteins from DNA. Inhibition of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase increases to toxicity of alkylating agents and some other DNA-damaging agents and increases sister-chromatid exchange frequencies. During repair of alkylation damage, inhibition of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase makes no change in excision of damaged products. increases the total number of repair patches, accelerates the rejoining of DNA breaks, and makes variable increases or decreases in net break frequencies. The polymerization cycle consequently is a major player in the response of cells to DNA breakage, but the game it plays is yet to be explained.

Dose-effect relationship for X-ray-induced reciprocal translocations in mouse spermatogonia following pretreatment with 3-aminobenzamide

The influence of 3-aminobenzamide (3-AB) pretreatment on the dose-response relationship for radiation-induced reciprocal translocations in mouse spermatogonial stem cells was studied. The results show that at doses of 3-10 Gy of X-rays the frequencies of translocations were higher in 3-AB-pretreated animals as compared to animals that received X-rays only. The 3-AB pretreatment was not effective at dose levels of 1 and 2 Gy. The shape of the dose-effect curve was similar to that obtained without 3-AB pretreatment, i.e., a humped curve, but the initial slope was clearly steeper and the position of the peak was shifted from 7 to 9 Gy. The effects observed can be explained by a 3-AB-mediated sensitization of normally radioresistant stem cells that are at the stage of stimulation to enter the mitotic cycle, thus increasing the population of radiosensitive spermatogonial stem cells.

The effect of 3-aminobenzamide on X-ray induction of chromosome aberrations in Down syndrome lymphocytes

Human lymphocytes from normal and Down syndrome (DS) subjects were examined to determine the effect of 3-aminobenzamide (3AB) on X-ray-induced chromosome aberrations. Lymphocytes were treated with 150 or 300 rad of X-rays in the presence of 3 mM 3AB for various times after irradiation, and then the cells were analyzed for the presence of chromosome aberrations in mitotic cells. 3-Aminobenzamide had no effect on the frequency of chromosome aberrations produced by X-rays in G0 lymphocytes from normal subjects. In contrast, lymphocytes from DS patients displayed an increase in the frequency of chromosome aberrations as a result of treatment with X-rays in the presence of 3AB. These observations indicate that DS lymphocytes are more sensitive to the inhibition of poly(ADP)ribose synthetase than normal lymphocytes.

Differential effect of benzamide on NAD+ content and the frequency of chromatid aberrations in X-irradiated L5178Y-R and L5178Y-S cells

The effect of treatment with benzamide, an inhibitor of adenosine diphosphate (ADP) ribosyl polymerase (ADPRP) was studied in cells of two strains of L5178Y (LY) murine lymphoma exposed to ionizing radiation. Continuous 2 mmol/l benzamide (Bz) treatment increased the frequency of chromatid aberrations in the radiation sensitive LY-S strain, but not in the resistant LY-R strain. This result is in agreement with the previously found, enhanced by Bz, killing effect of roentgen irradiation in LY-S cells. Also, the decrease in the cellular NAD+ content in these cells after irradiation was more pronounced than in LY-R cells; this may indicate an increased ADPRP activity upon infliction of DNA damage, or a difference in poly(ADP-ribose) turnover.

Cell cycle-dependent potentiation of X-ray-induced chromosomal aberrations by 3-aminobenzamide

The poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor 3-aminobenzamide had dramatically different effects on X-ray-induced cytogenetic damage in human lymphocytes depending on the stage of the cell cycle in which cells were irradiated. 3-Aminobenzamide (0.08-3.00 mM) potentiated the frequency of chromosomal aberrations when lymphocytes were irradiated in G1, S, or late G2. No effect was observed, however, when lymphocytes were irradiated in G0 or at the S/G2 boundary 6 h before termination of culture. These results indicate that poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase may be involved in chromosomal repair of radiation damage only during specific stages of the cell cycle.