Mutagenic effects at hprt locus and in minisatellite sequences induced in V79 cells by treatments with UV and methyl-nitro-nitroso guanidine

Microsatellite analysis for determination of the mutagenicity of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields and ionising radiation in vitro

Extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) have been reported to induce lesions in DNA and to enhance the mutagenicity of ionising radiation. However, the significance of these findings is uncertain because the determination of the carcinogenic potential of EMFs has largely been based on investigations of large chromosomal aberrations. Using a more sensitive method of detecting DNA damage involving microsatellite sequences, we observed that exposure of UVW human glioma cells to ELF-EMF alone at a field strength of 1 mT (50 Hz) for 12 h gave rise to 0.011 mutations/locus/cell. This was equivalent to a 3.75-fold increase in mutation induction compared with unexposed controls. Furthermore, ELF-EMF increased the mutagenic capacity of 0.3 and 3 Gy gamma-irradiation by factors of 2.6 and 2.75, respectively. These results suggest not only that ELF-EMF is mutagenic as a single agent but also that it can potentiate the mutagenicity of ionising radiation. Treatment with 0.3 Gy induced more than 10 times more mutations per unit dose than irradiation with 3 Gy, indicating hypermutability at low dose.

Tandemly repeated DNA sequence instabilities induced by two promoters of morphological transformation in vitro: a short-term response to non-mutagenic agents in C3H/10T1/2 cells

The ability of tumour promoters to alter DNA stability within regions that contain tandemly repeated sequences (TRSs), was studied in a cell culture model of multi-stage carcinogenesis. Non-cytotoxic concentrations of TPA (12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate) and xanthine oxidase with xanthine substrate, sufficient to promote morphological transformation in C3H/10T1/2 cultures, were tested for their effects on mutation frequencies in TRSs by a DNA fingerprinting approach. Specifically, restriction digests of genomic DNA samples from randomly selected, non-transformed clones, isolated from cultures after several days exposure to promoters, were visualized by Southern hybridizations with the multi-locus pentamer repeat sequence probe, Ms6-Hm (Pc-1). Basal and promoter-induced frequencies of sub-clone TRS fingerprint polymorphisms were estimated in five cell populations: an uncloned stock culture, three populations established from normal-appearing sub-clones, and one clonal population established from a 3-methylcholanthrene (MCA)-transformed focus. Basal variant fingerprint frequencies spanned a range from 0.0 to 0.43% mutants/band among cells from the four untransformed populations. Both TPA and xanthine oxidase treatments significantly increased recorded mutation frequencies, 2.3- and 2.7-fold, respectively, using combined data from the progenitor population and three untransformed clones. The untreated MCA-transformed clonal population appeared to contain a single, pre-existing mutant restriction fragment, but additional mutations were induced thereafter, in response to the promoting treatments. Taken together, the measured increases in mutations were highly significant and suggest that promoters of cell transformation in the C3H/10T1/2 cell line might induce a genome-wide instability targeted to regions containing Ms6-Hm sequence motifs.

Nickel subsulfide is similar to potassium dichromate in protecting normal human fibroblasts from the mutagenic effects of benzo[a]pyrene diolepoxide

The cellular response to multiple carcinogen treatment has not been extensively studied, even though the effect of individual carcinogens is, in many cases, well known. We have previously shown that potassium dichromate can protect normal human fibroblasts from the mutagenic effects of benzo[a]pyrene diolepoxide (BPDE), and that this effect may be via an oxidative stress mechanism [Tesfai et al. (1998) Mutat Res 416:159-168]. Here, we extend our previous work by showing that nickel subsulfide can produce the some effect. Normal human fibroblasts, preincubated with nickel subsulfide for 46 hr followed by a coincubation of nickel subsulfide and BPDE for 2 hr, showed a dramatic reduction in the mutant frequency of the hypoxanthine (guanine)phosphoribosyl-transferase (HPRT) gene when compared to cells treated only with BPDE. The preincubation period with nickel subsulfide was necessary to see the antagonistic effect, since it was not observed if the cells were simply incubated with both carcinogens for 2 hr. The extent of the antagonistic effect was nickel subsulfide dose-dependent and also appeared to be species-specific, since the effect was not observed when Chinese hamster fibroblasts were tested. Finally, the antagonistic effect of the nickel subsulfide was eliminated by vitamin E, suggesting that production of reactive oxygen species by the nickel may be required. This data, along with our previous work, suggest that the antagonistic effect we observe is not chromium-specific, and that it could be species-specific.

Chromium can reduce the mutagenic effects of benzo[a]pyrene diolepoxide in normal human fibroblasts via an oxidative stress mechanism

The interaction of multiple carcinogens on human cells has not been extensively examined. This study reports the results of experiments in which normal human fibroblasts were exposed to both benzo[a]pyrene diolepoxide (BPDE) and potassium dichromate. The effect of four different treatment protocols on the cloning ability of the cells and the mutant frequency of the HPRT gene was determined. The combined treatment of both carcinogens caused a slightly greater than additive decrease in the cloning ability of the cells when compared to cells treated with the individual carcinogens. The result was the same regardless of the treatment protocol used in the experiment. The results of the mutant frequency experiments, however, varied dramatically with the protocol employed. The mutant frequency in cells which were simultaneously treated with both carcinogens was dramatically reduced from the mutant frequency found when cells were treated with BPDE alone. This antagonistic effect was not present when cells were either pretreated with potassium dichromate prior to BPDE or incubated with potassium dichromate following BPDE treatment. The observed antagonistic effect was the result of oxidative stress produced by chromium since it was completely or nearly completely reversed by the addition of either vitamin E or catalase to the cultures.

Monitoring for induced heritable mutations in natural populations: application of minisatellite DNA screening

The need to understand the role that anthropogenic chemicals play in generating germline mutations is critical, both from an ecological and a human health perspective. Exposure to complex mixtures of urban and industrial chemicals is widespread and we have little understanding of the long-term implications to populations and gene pools. It has recently been suggested that minisatellite DNA mutations may be sensitive biomarkers for induced heritable mutations in populations exposed to radioactive and non-radioactive contamination in their environments. Minisatellite loci are attractive targets for mutational analyses because they undergo a rate of mutation much greater than unique sequence DNA and with DNA fingerprinting many loci can be scanned simultaneously. As a result, the technique is statistically powerful requiring relatively small sample sizes (compared to other in situ mutation assays) and is reasonably cost and time efficient. This paper will review the application of minisatellite mutation screening to the field of genetic toxicology.

Multilocus DNA fingerprinting reveals high rate of heritable genetic mutation in herring gulls nesting in an industrialized urban site

Genotoxins, such as polycyclic aromatic compounds, are ubiquitous in urban and industrial environments. Our understanding of the role that these chemicals play in generating DNA sequence mutations is predominantly derived from laboratory studies with specific genotoxins or extracts of contaminants from environmental media. Most assays are not indicative of the germinal effects of exposure in situ to complex mixtures of common environmental mutagens. Using multilocus DNA fingerprinting, we found the mutation rate in herring gulls inhabiting a heavily industrialized urban harbor (Hamilton Harbour, Ontario) to be more than twice as high as three rural sites: Kent Island, Bay of Fundy; Chantry Island, Lake Huron; and Presqu'ile Provincial Park in Lake Ontario. Overall we found a mutation rate of 0.017 +/- 0.004 per offspring band in Hamilton, 0.006 +/- 0.002 at Kent Island, 0.002 +/- 0.002 from Chantry Island, and 0.004 +/- 0.002 from Presqu'ile Provincial Park. The mutation rate from the rural sites (pooled) was significantly lower than the rate observed in Hamilton Harbour (Fisher's exact test, two-tailed; P = 0.0006). These minisatellite DNA mutations may be important biomarkers for heritable genetic changes resulting from in situ exposure to environmental genotoxins in a free-living vertebrate species.