DNA-damaging activity and mutagenicity of 16 newly synthesized thiazolo[5,4-a]acridine derivatives with high photo-inducible cytotoxicity

Identification of disinfection by-products in freshwater and seawater swimming pools and evaluation of genotoxicity

Exposure to disinfection byproducts (DBPs) in swimming pools has been linked to adverse health effects. Numerous DBPs that occur in swimming pools are genotoxic and carcinogenic. This toxicity is of a greater concern in the case of brominated DBPs that have been shown to have substantially greater toxicities than their chlorinated analogs. In chlorinated seawater swimming pools, brominated DBPs are formed due to the high content of bromide. Nevertheless, very little data is reported about DBP occurrence and mutagenicity of water in these pools. In the present study, three seawater and one freshwater swimming pools located in Southeastern France were investigated to determine qualitatively and quantitatively their DBP contents. An evaluation of the genotoxic properties of water samples of the freshwater pool and a seawater pool was conducted through the Salmonella assay (Ames test). The predominant DBPs identified in the freshwater pool were chlorinated species and included trichloroacetic acid, chloral hydrate, dichloroacetonitrile, 1,1,1-trichloropropanone and chloroform. In the seawater pools, brominated DBPs were the predominant species and included dibromoacetic acid, bromoform and dibromoacetonitile. Bromal hydrate levels were also reported. In both types of pools, haloacetic acids were the most prevalent chemical class among the analyzed DBP classes. The distribution of other DBP classes varied depending on the type of pool. As to genotoxicity, the results of Ames test showed higher mutagenicity in the freshwater pool as a consequence of its considerably higher DBP contents in comparison to the tested seawater pool.

Inhibition of DNA topoisomerases I and II and growth inhibition of HL-60 cells by novel acridine-based compounds

HL-60 cancer cells were treated with a series of novel acridine derivatives (derivatives 1-4) in order to test the compounds' ability to inhibit both cancer cell growth and topoisomerase I and II activity. Binding studies of derivatives 1-4 with calf thymus DNA were also performed using a number of techniques (UV-Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy, thermal denaturation, linear dichroism and viscometry) to determine the nature of the interaction between the compounds and ctDNA. The binding constants for the complexes of the studied acridine derivatives with DNA were calculated from UV-Vis spectroscopic titrations (K=3.1×10(4)-2.0×10(3)M(-1)). Some of the compounds showed a strong inhibitory effect against Topo II at the relatively low concentration of 5μM. Topo I/II inhibition mode assays were also performed and verified that the novel compounds are topoisomerase suppressors rather than poisons. The biological activities of derivatives were studied using MTT assay and flow cytometric methods (detection of mitochondrial membrane potential, measurement of cell viability) after 24 and 48h incubation. The ability of derivatives to impair cell proliferation was tested by an analysis of cell cycle distribution.

Genotoxic effects of Bismuth (III) oxide nanoparticles by Allium and Comet assay

Genotoxic effects of Bismuth (III) oxide nanoparticles (BONPs) were investigated on the root cells of Allium cepa by Allium and Comet assay. A. cepa roots were treated with the aqueous dispersions of BONPs at five different concentrations (12.5, 25, 50, 75, and 100ppm) for 4h. Exposure of BONPs significantly increased mitotic index (MI) except 12.5ppm, total chromosomal aberrations (CAs) in Allium test. While stickiness chromosome laggards, disturbed anaphase-telophase and anaphase bridges were observed in anaphase-telophase cells, pro-metaphase and c-metaphase in other cells. A significant increase in DNA damage was also observed at all concentrations of BONPs except 12.5ppm by Comet assay. The results were also analyzed statistically by using SPSS for Windows; Duncan's multiple range test was performed. These results indicate that BONPs exhibit genotoxic activity in A. cepa root meristematic cells.

Micronuclei in genotoxicity assessment: from genetics to epigenetics and beyond

Micronuclei (MN) are extra-nuclear bodies that contain damaged chromosome fragments and/or whole chromosomes that were not incorporated into the nucleus after cell division. MN can be induced by defects in the cell repair machinery and accumulation of DNA damages and chromosomal aberrations. A variety of genotoxic agents may induce MN formation leading to cell death, genomic instability, or cancer development. In this review, the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms of MN formation after various clastogenic and aneugenic effects on cell division and cell cycle are described. The knowledge accumulated in literature on cytotoxicity of various genotoxins is precisely reflected and individual sensitivity to MN formation due to single gene polymorphisms is discussed. The importance of rapid MN scoring with respect to the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay is also evaluated.

In vitro genotoxicity testing strategy for nanomaterials and the adaptation of current OECD guidelines

There is a pressing requirement to define a hazard identification and risk management strategy for nanomaterials due to the rapid growth in the nanotechnology industry and their promise of life-style revolutions through the development of wide-ranging nano-containing consumer products. Consequently, a battery of well defined and appropriate in vitro assays to assess a number of genotoxicity endpoints is required to minimise extensive and costly in vivo testing. However, the validity of the established protocols in current OECD recognised genotoxicity assays for nanomaterials is currently being questioned. In this report, we therefore consider the in vitro OECD genotoxicity test battery including the Ames, micronucleus and HPRT forward mutation assays, and their potential role in the safety assessment of nanomaterial induced DNA damage in vitro.