Association of DNA-protein crosslinks and breast cancer

Site-Specific 5-Formyl Cytosine Mediated DNA-Histone Cross-Links: Synthesis and Polymerase Bypass by Human DNA Polymerase η

DNA-protein cross-links (DPCs) between DNA epigenetic mark 5-formylC and lysine residues of histone proteins spontaneously form in human cells. Such conjugates are likely to influence chromatin structure and mediate DNA replication, transcription, and repair, but are challenging to study due to their reversible nature. Here we report the construction of site specific, hydrolytically stable DPCs between 5fdC in DNA and K4 of histone H3 and an investigation of their effects on DNA replication. Our approach employs oxime ligation, allowing for site-specific conjugation of histones to DNA under physiological conditions. Primer extension experiments revealed that histone H3-DNA crosslinks blocked DNA synthesis by hPol η polymerase, but were bypassed following proteolytic processing.

Synthesis and polymerase bypass studies of DNA-peptide and DNA-protein conjugates

DNA-peptide (DpCs) and DNA-protein cross-links (DPCs) are DNA lesions formed when polypeptides and nuclear proteins become covalently trapped on DNA strands. DNA-protein cross-links are of enormous size and hence pose challenges to cell survival by blocking DNA replication, transcription, and repair. However, DPCs can undergo proteolytic degradation via various pathways to give shorter polypeptide chains (DpCs). The resulting DpC lesions are efficiently bypassed by translesion synthesis (TLS) DNA polymerases like κ, η, δ, etc., although polymerase bypass efficiency as well as correct base insertion depends heavily on size, sequence context, and position of peptides in DpCs. This chapter explores various synthetic methods to generate these lesions including detailed experimental procedures for the construction of DpCs and DPCs via reductive amination and oxime ligation. Further we describe biochemical experiments to investigate the effects of these lesions on DNA polymerase activity and fidelity.

DNA damage-signaling, homologous recombination and genetic mutation induced by 5-azacytidine and DNA-protein crosslinks in Escherichia coli

Covalent linkage between DNA and proteins produces highly toxic lesions and can be caused by commonly used chemotherapeutic agents, by internal and external chemicals and by radiation. In this study, using Escherichia coli, we investigate the consequences of 5-azacytidine (5-azaC), which traps covalent complexes between itself and the Dcm cytosine methyltransferase protein. DNA protein crosslink-dependent effects can be ascertained by effects that arise in wild-type but not in dcmΔ strains. We find that 5-azaC induces the bacterial DNA damage response and stimulates homologous recombination, a component of which is Dcm-dependent. Template-switching at an imperfect inverted repeat ("quasipalindrome", QP) is strongly enhanced by 5-azaC and this enhancement was entirely Dcm-dependent and independent of double-strand break repair. The SOS response helps ameliorate the mutagenic effect of 5-azaC but this is not a result of SOS-induced DNA polymerases since their induction, especially PolIV, seems to stimulate QP-associated mutagenesis. Cell division regulator SulA was also required for recovery of QP mutants induced by 5-azaC. In the absence of Lon protease, Dcm-dependent QP-mutagenesis is strongly elevated, suggesting it may play a role in DPC tolerance. Deletions at short tandem repeats, which occur likewise by a replication template-switch, are elevated, but only modestly, by 5-azaC. We see evidence for Dcm-dependent and-independent killing by 5-azaC in sensitive mutants, such as recA, recB, and lon; homologous recombination and deletion mutations are also stimulated in part by a Dcm-independent effect of 5-azaC. Whether this occurs by a different protein/DNA crosslink or by an alternative form of DNA damage is unknown.

Transcriptional Bypass of DNA-Protein and DNA-Peptide Conjugates by T7 RNA Polymerase

DNA-protein cross-links (DPCs) are unusually bulky DNA adducts that block the access of proteins to DNA and interfere with gene expression, replication, and repair. We previously described DPC formation at the N7-guanine position of DNA in human cells treated with antitumor nitrogen mustards and platinum compounds and have shown that DPCs can form endogenously at DNA epigenetic mark 5-formyl-dC. However, insufficient information is available about the effects of these structurally distinct DPCs on transcription. In the present work, we employ a combination of in vitro assays, mass spectrometry, and molecular dynamics simulations to examine the ability of phage T7 RNA polymerase to bypass DPCs conjugated to the C7 position of 7-deaza-dG and the C5 position of dC. These model adducts represent endogenous DPCs induced by exposure to antitumor drugs and formed at epigenetics DNA marks, respectively. Our results reveal that DPCs containing full-length proteins significantly inhibit in vitro transcription by T7 RNA polymerase, while short DNA-peptide cross-links (DpCs) are bypassed. DpCs conjugated to the C7 position of 7-deaza-dG are transcribed with high fidelity, while the same polypeptides attached to the C5 position of dC induce transcription errors. Molecular dynamics simulations of DpCs conjugated either to the C5 atom of dC or the C7 position of 7-deaza-dG on the template strand in T7 RNA polymerase explain how the conjugated peptide can be accommodated in the narrow major groove of the DNA-RNA hybrid and how the modified dC can form a stable mismatch with the incoming ATP in the polymerase active site, allowing for transcriptional mutagenesis.

5-Formylcytosine mediated DNA-protein cross-links block DNA replication and induce mutations in human cells

5-Formylcytosine (5fC) is an epigenetic DNA modification introduced via TET protein-mediated oxidation of 5-methyl-dC. We recently reported that 5fC form reversible DNA–protein conjugates (DPCs) with histone proteins in living cells (Ji et al. (2017) Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 56:14130–14134). We now examined the effects of 5fC mediated DPCs on DNA replication. Synthetic DNA duplexes containing site-specific DPCs between 5fC and lysine-containing proteins and peptides were subjected to primer extension experiments in the presence of human translesion synthesis DNA polymerases η and κ. We found that DPCs containing histones H2A or H4 completely inhibited DNA replication, but the replication block was removed when the proteins were subjected to proteolytic digestion. Cross-links to 11-mer or 31-mer peptides were bypassed by both polymerases in an error-prone manner, inducing targeted C→T transitions and –1 deletions. Similar types of mutations were observed when plasmids containing 5fC-peptide cross-links were replicated in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293T cells. Molecular simulations of the 11-mer peptide-dC cross-links bound to human polymerases η and κ revealed that the peptide fits well on the DNA major groove side, and the modified dC forms a stable mismatch with incoming dATP via wobble base pairing in the polymerase active site.

Error-prone replication of a 5-formylcytosine-mediated DNA-peptide cross-link in human cells

DNA-protein cross-links can interfere with chromatin architecture, block DNA replication and transcription, and interfere with DNA repair. Here we synthesized a DNA 23-mer containing a site-specific DNA-peptide cross-link (DpC) by cross-linking an 11-mer peptide to the DNA epigenetic mark 5-formylcytosine in synthetic DNA and used it to generate a DpC-containing plasmid construct. Upon replication of the DpC-containing plasmid in HEK 293T cells, approximately 9% of progeny plasmids contained targeted mutations and 5% semitargeted mutations. Targeted mutations included C→T transitions and C deletions, whereas semitargeted mutations included several base substitutions and deletions near the DpC lesion. To identify DNA polymerases involved in DpC bypass, we comparatively studied translesion synthesis (TLS) efficiency and mutagenesis of the DpC in a series of cell lines with TLS polymerase knockouts or knockdowns. Knockdown of either hPol ι or hPol ζ reduced the mutation frequency by nearly 50%. However, the most significant reduction in mutation frequency (50%-70%) was observed upon simultaneous knockout of hPol η and hPol κ with knockdown of hPol ζ, suggesting that these TLS polymerases play a critical role in error-prone DpC bypass. Because TLS efficiency of the DpC construct was not significantly affected in TLS polymerase-deficient cells, we examined a possible role of replicative DNA polymerases in their bypass and determined that hPol δ and hPol ϵ can accurately bypass the DpC. We conclude that both replicative and TLS polymerases can bypass this DpC lesion in human cells but that mutations are induced mainly by TLS polymerases.

Stimulation of Replication Template-Switching by DNA-Protein Crosslinks

Covalent DNA protein crosslinks (DPCs) are common lesions that block replication. We examine here the consequence of DPCs on mutagenesis involving replicational template-switch reactions in Escherichia coli. 5-Azacytidine (5-azaC) is a potent mutagen for template-switching. This effect is dependent on DNA cytosine methylase (Dcm), implicating the Dcm-DNA covalent complex trapped by 5-azaC as the initiator for mutagenesis. The leading strand of replication is more mutable than the lagging strand, which can be explained by blocks to the replicative helicase and/or fork regression. We find that template-switch mutagenesis induced by 5-azaC does not require double strand break repair via RecABCD; the ability to induce the SOS response is anti-mutagenic. Mutants in recB, but not recA, exhibit high constitutive rates of template-switching, and we suggest that RecBCD-mediated DNA degradation prevents template-switching associated with fork regression. A mutation in the DnaB fork helicase also promotes high levels of template-switching. We also find that other DPC-inducers, formaldehyde (a non-specific crosslinker) and ciprofloxacin (a topoisomerase II poison) are also strong mutagens for template-switching with similar genetic properties. Induction of mutations and genetic rearrangements that occur by template-switching may constitute a previously unrecognized component of the genotoxicity and genetic instability promoted by DPCs.

Site-specific cross-linking of proteins to DNA via a new bioorthogonal approach employing oxime ligation

DNA-protein cross-links (DPCs) are super-bulky DNA adducts induced by common chemotherapeutic agents, reactive oxygen species, and aldehydes, and also formed endogenously as part of epigenetic regulation. Despite their presence in most cells and tissues, the biological effects of DPCs are poorly understood due to the difficulty of constructing site-specific DNA-protein conjugates. In the present work, a new approach of conjugating proteins to DNA using oxime ligation was used to generate model DPCs structurally analogous to lesions formed in cells. In our approach, proteins and peptides containing an unnatural oxy-Lys amino acid were cross-linked to DNA strands functionalized with 5-formyl-dC or 7-(2-oxoethyl)-7-deaza-dG residues using oxime ligation. The conjugation reaction was site-specific with respect to both protein and DNA, provided excellent reaction yields, and formed stable DPCs amenable to biological evaluation.

DNA-Protein Crosslink Proteolysis Repair

Proteins that are covalently bound to DNA constitute a specific type of DNA lesion known as DNA-protein crosslinks (DPCs). DPCs represent physical obstacles to the progression of DNA replication. If not repaired, DPCs cause stalling of DNA replication forks that consequently leads to DNA double-strand breaks, the most cytotoxic DNA lesion. Although DPCs are common DNA lesions, the mechanism of DPC repair was unclear until now. Recent work unveiled that DPC repair is orchestrated by proteolysis performed by two distinct metalloproteases, SPARTAN in metazoans and Wss1 in yeast. This review summarizes recent discoveries on two proteases in DNA replication-coupled DPC repair and establishes DPC proteolysis repair as a separate DNA repair pathway for genome stability and protection from accelerated aging and cancer.

Landscape of NAT2 polymorphisms among breast cancer

PURPOSE

The prevalence of phenotypes of Arylamine N-acetyltransferase-2(NAT2) gene (i.e. fast, intermediate and slow acetylators) among ethnic groups, as well as the association studies regarding NAT2 polymorphisms and risk of breast cancer produced inconsistent results. This meta-analysis aimed to clarify whether the selected NAT2 phenotypes have an effect on the susceptibility to breast cancer.

METHODS

After aggregating the frequencies of fast, intermediate and slow phenotypes of NAT2 in breast cancer subjects, the odds ratio and relevant 95% confidence intervals were examined using combined data from all published 36 articles.

RESULTS

Overall, our results did not produce statistical significance for the proposed association, suggesting that there is no association between the selected phenotypes of NAT2 polymorphisms and breast cancer. In subgroup analyses, it was revealed that, as compared with the fast phenotype, intermediate acetylator is protective of the vulnerable White population to breast cancer. In addition, an obvious ethnic/geographic difference was found in the prevalence of fast, intermediate and slow acetylators among world-wide populations.

CONCLUSIONS

Although ethnic and geographic differences in NAT2 polymorphisms were present, this was not associated with the risk of breast cancer in general. Intermediate acetylator is protective for particular ethnic groups, a finding which should be carefully viewed and confirmed in the future studies.

Evaluation of genotoxic potential of commonly used organophosphate pesticides in peripheral blood lymphocytes of rats

Chlorpyrifos (CPF), methyl parathion (MPT), and malathion (MLT) are among the most extensively used organophosphate (OP) pesticides in India. DNA protein cross-links (DPC) and DNA strand breaks are toxic lesions associated with the mechanism(s) of toxicity of carcinogenic compounds. In the present study, we examined the hypothesis that individual and interactive genotoxic effects of CPF, MPT, and MLT are involved in the formation of DPC and DNA strand break. The DNA strand break was measured by comet assay and expressed as DNA damage index, while DPC estimation was carried out by fluorescence emission assay. The results showed that exposure of rat lymphocytes with CPF, MPT, and MLT caused significantly marked increase in DNA damage and DPC formation in time-dependent manner. MPT caused the highest damage, and these pesticides do not potentiate the toxicity of each other.

A common environmental carcinogen unduly affects carriers of cancer mutations: carriers of genetic mutations in a specific protective response are more susceptible to an environmental carcinogen

One way an inherited cancer gene mutation may target specific tissues for cancer is by increasing susceptibility when a tissue is exposed to environmental carcinogens. An example of this may be the increased susceptibility of BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation carriers to the carcinogen formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is now a proven cause of human myeloid leukemias. Yet millions of tons of formaldehyde are produced every year and it is everywhere. High formaldehyde levels can overwhelm normal enzyme detoxification systems and cause DNA damage. It is known that some types of formaldehyde-associated DNA damage require error-free DNA repairs mediated by pathways containing BRCA1 and BRCA2 proteins. Otherwise some formaldehyde-related DNA damage cannot be properly repaired so mutations may occur. Therefore, carriers of BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene defects should be unduly susceptible to myeloid leukemia. Studies show that inherited biallelic BRCA2 gene defects dramatically increase risks for myeloid leukemia. Heterozygous BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations also increase risks for myeloid leukemias in 11 of 12 relevant studies. BRCA1/2 mutation carriers may reduce risks for myeloid leukemias by using available precautions to lower their exposure to formaldehyde.

NAT2 polymorphisms combining with smoking associated with breast cancer susceptibility: a meta-analysis

To derive a more precise estimation of the relationship between the slow or rapid acetylation resulting from N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) polymorphisms and breast cancer risk, a meta-analysis was performed. PubMed, Medline, Embase, and Web of Science were searched. Crude odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess strength of association. The pooled ORs were performed for slow versus rapid acetylation genotypes. A total of 26 studies including 9,215 cases and 10,443 controls were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, no significantly elevated breast cancer risk was associated with NAT2 slow genotypes when all studies were pooled into the meta-analysis (OR = 1.026, 95% CI = 0.968-1.087). In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, increased risks were not found for either Caucasians (OR = 1.001, 95% CI = 0.938-1.068) or Asians (OR = 1.155, 95% CI = 0.886-1.506). When stratified by study design, statistically significantly elevated risk associated with NAT2 slow genotypes was only found among hospital-based studies (OR = 1.178, 95% CI = 1.037-1.339). In the subgroup analysis by menopausal status, no statistically significantly increased risk was found in either premenopausal (OR = 1.053, 95% CI = 0.886-1.252) or postmenopausal women (OR = 0.965, 95% CI = 0.844-1.104). When stratified by cumulative smoking exposure, in the subgroup of smokers with high pack-years, NAT2 slow genotypes were significantly associated with increased breast cancer risk (OR = 1.400, 95% CI = 1.099-1.784). In conclusion, this meta-analysis suggested that there is overall lack of association between NAT2 genotypes and breast cancer risk, however, NAT2 polymorphisms when combining with heavy smoking history may contribute to breast cancer susceptibility.

Glutathione S-transferase M1 polymorphism and breast cancer susceptibility: a meta-analysis involving 46,281 subjects

Published data on the association between present/null polymorphism of glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) and breast cancer risk are inconclusive. To derive a more precise estimation of the relationship, a meta-analysis was performed. Medline, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched. Crude ORs with 95% CIs were used to assess the strength of association between the GSTM1 present/null polymorphism and breast cancer risk. The pooled ORs were performed for null versus present genotype. A total of 59 studies including 20,993 cases and 25,288 controls were involved in this meta-analysis. Overall, significantly elevated breast cancer risk was associated with null genotype when all studies were pooled into the meta-analysis (OR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.04-1.16). In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, significantly increased risks were found for Caucasians (OR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.00-1.10) and Asians (OR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.08-1.35). When stratified by population-based studies or hospital-based studies, statistically significantly elevated risks were found among population-based studies (OR = 1.11, 95% CI = 1.03-1.20). In the subgroup analysis by menopausal status, statistically significantly increased risks were found among postmenopausal women (OR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.04-1.28). In conclusion, this meta-analysis suggests that the GSTM1 null genotype is a low-penetrant risk factor for developing breast cancer.

GSTT1 and GSTP1 polymorphisms and breast cancer risk: a meta-analysis

Cytosolic glutathione S-transferase comprises multiple isoenzymes; studies have principally examined mu-1 (GSTM1: null/present), theta-1 (GSTT1: null/present) and pi-1 (GSTP1 Ile105Val) gene polymorphisms concerning breast cancer risk. Regarding GSTT1 and GSTP1 polymorphisms, studies remain controversial and no recent meta-analysis has appeared. This meta-analysis aims to examine whether GSTT1 and GSTP1 polymorphisms are associated with breast cancer risk. Separate analyses were performed on Chinese and non-Chinese populations, in an attempt to investigate race-specific effects. Eligible articles were identified by a search of MEDLINE bibliographic database for the period up to August 2009. Regarding GSTT1 null/present genotype, 41 case-control studies were eligible (16,589 breast cancer cases and 19,995 controls); 30 case-control studies were eligible for GSTP1 Ile105Val (16,908 cases and 20,016 controls). Pooled odds ratios (ORs) were appropriately derived from fixed-effects or random-effects models. At the overall analysis, the null GSTT1 genotype was associated with elevated breast cancer risk (pooled OR = 1.114, 95% CI: 1.035-1.199, random effects). However, the association seemed confined to non-Chinese populations (33 studies, pooled OR = 1.128, 95% CI: 1.042-1.221, random effects), given that the association was not significant in the subset of Chinese studies (eight studies, pooled OR = 1.061, 95% CI: 0.875-1.286, random effects). Regarding GSTP1 Ile105Val, no statistically significant associations were detected in non-Chinese populations (25 studies). On the other hand, the GG genotype was associated with increased breast cancer risk in Chinese populations (five studies, pooled OR = 1.297, 95% CI: 1.023-1.645, fixed effects); accordingly, the recessive model yielded statistically significant results (pooled OR = 1.273, 95% CI: 1.006-1.610, fixed effects). In conclusion, polymorphisms of both GSTT1 and GSTP1 genes seem associated with elevated breast cancer risk in a race-specific manner. Given the small number of Chinese studies, the finding on GSTP1 Ile105Val merits further investigation.

Formaldehyde exposure and leukemia: a new meta-analysis and potential mechanisms

Formaldehyde is an economically important chemical, to which more than 2 million U.S. workers are occupationally exposed. Substantially more people are exposed to formaldehyde environmentally, as it is generated by automobile engines, is a component of tobacco smoke and is released from household products, including furniture, particleboard, plywood, and carpeting. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) recently classified formaldehyde as a human carcinogen that causes nasopharyngeal cancer and also concluded that there is "strong but not sufficient evidence for a causal association between leukemia and occupational exposure to formaldehyde". Here, we review the epidemiological studies published to date on formaldehyde-exposed workers and professionals in relation to lymphohematopoietic malignances. In a new meta-analysis of these studies, focusing on occupations known to have high formaldehyde exposure, we show that summary relative risks (RRs) were elevated in 15 studies of leukemia (RR=1.54; confidence interval (CI), 1.18-2.00) with the highest relative risks seen in the six studies of myeloid leukemia (RR=1.90; 95% CI, 1.31-2.76). The biological plausibility of this observed association is discussed and potential mechanisms proposed. We hypothesize that formaldehyde may act on bone marrow directly or, alternatively, may cause leukemia by damaging the hematopoietic stem or early progenitor cells that are located in the circulating blood or nasal passages, which then travel to the bone marrow and become leukemic stem cells. To test these hypotheses, we recommend that future studies apply biomarkers validated for other chemical leukemogens to the study of formaldehyde.

Associations among genetic susceptibility, DNA damage, and pregnancy outcomes of expectant mothers exposed to environmental tobacco smoke

This study determined the effects of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) on fetal growth by measuring neonatal birth outcomes and the extent of maternal DNA damage, and investigating the relationships among gene polymorphisms, genotoxicity, and pregnancy outcomes of expectant mothers who had exposed to tobacco smoke. This prospective study enrolled 685 pregnant women who completed an initial questionnaire at three central Taiwan hospitals between 2003 and 2004. Genotype analyses of CYP1A1, GSTT1, GSTM1, and NAT2 were performed from 421 women. A total of 398 women completed the follow-up analysis and successfully delivered a live single baby (n=384). Comet assay was performed for 18 smokers, 143 ETS-exposed subjects and 130 non-smokers to measure DNA damage. Analytical findings indicated that the levels of DNA damage among smokers and ETS-exposed subjects were significantly higher than that of non-smokers. DNA damage score in the ETS-exposed group was 84.3+/-44.3 and 63.5+/35.0 [corrected] for the nonsmoking group (p<0.001). Risk of DNA damage (DNA strand breakage, sister chromatid exchange, cell transformation and escalation of cytotoxicity) for subjects exposed to ETS was 7.49 times (adjusted odds ratio; 95% CI, 1.27-44.20) [corrected] greater than that of non-exposed to tobacco smoke at home. Average birth weight of neonates born to subjects with extremely serious DNA damage (within the 90th percentile, DNA damage score >or =129.5) was 141 g lighter than that of those with DNA damage score <129.5 (p=0.068) [corrected] The degree of DNA lesion was not related to metabolic polymorphic genes. The results of this study suggest that comet assay are reliable biomarkers for monitoring pregnant women exposed to tobacco smoke and indicate fetal growth effects from environmental exposure to tobacco smoke.

A meta-analysis of the association of N-acetyltransferase 2 gene (NAT2) variants with breast cancer

The N-acetyltransferase 2 gene (NAT2) product is an enzyme important in carcinogen metabolism via activation and detoxification pathways. Therefore, NAT2 variants may represent underlying susceptibility to breast cancer. Because a number of studies of the association of NAT2 with breast cancer have been published, the authors performed a meta-analysis. They extracted all relevant data to examine evidence for a main effect (i.e., the effect in a model that does not include any interactions) of NAT2 phenotype and genotype on breast cancer risk. They summarized the evidence for modification by smoking and meat intake, sources of exposure to aromatic and heterocyclic amines, respectively, which are metabolized by NAT2. The authors identified seven studies that measured NAT2 phenotype and 20 studies that deduced phenotype via genotyping. They found no evidence for heterogeneity (Cochran's Q statistic p=0.74) and no statistically significant increased risk from NAT2 acetylation (slow/rapid) for breast cancer (summary odds ratio=1.02, 95% confidence interval: 0.95, 1.08). These results suggest that there is no overall association between the NAT2 slow- or rapid-acetylation phenotype and breast cancer risk. However, some evidence suggests that smoking may modify this association.

Potential of chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin forming DNA adducts

DNA adducts consist of DNA monoadducts, DNA intrastrand crosslinks, DNA interstrand crosslinks, and DNA-protein crosslinks. If not repaired or mistakenly repaired, DNA adducts may lead to gene mutations and initiate carcinogenesis. Two insecticides, chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin, were studied for their potential of forming DNA monoadducts, DNA interstrand crosslinks, and DNA-protein crosslinks in primary mouse hepatocytes via the assays of bioluminescence, ethidium bromide fluorescence, and K+-SDS precipitation. DNA interstrand crosslinks were also measured on calf thymus DNA. It was shown that chlorpyrifos could not form DNA adducts. Cypermethrin formed DNA monoadducts and DNA interstrand crosslinks in hepatocytes. However, cypermethrin didn't form DNA interstrand crosslinks on calf thymus DNA and in hepatocytes treated with SKF-525A, a cytochrome P450 inhibitor, which suggests that active metabolites of cypermethrin instead of cypermethrin itself caused DNA interstrand crosslinks and that cytochrome P450 may be involved in the activation of cypermethrin.

Cytochrome P-450 1A1 gene polymorphisms and risk of breast cancer: a HuGE review

Cytochrome P-450 (CYP) 1A1 plays a key role in phase I metabolism of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and in estrogen metabolism. It is expressed predominantly in extrahepatic tissues, including the breast. Four CYP1A1 gene polymorphisms (3801T --> C, Ile462Val, 3205T --> C, and Thr461Asp) have been studied in relation to breast cancer. The 3801C variant is more common than the Val variant. Both variants occur more frequently in Asians than in White populations. The 3205T --> C polymorphism has been observed in African Americans only. Little data are available on the geographic/ethnic distribution of the Thr461Asp polymorphism. The functional significance of the polymorphisms is unclear. In 17 studies, no consistent association between breast cancer and CYP1A1 genotype was found. Meta-analysis found no significant risk for the genotypes 1) 3801C/C (relative risk (RR) = 0.97, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.52, 1.80) or 3801T/C (RR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.70, 1.19) versus 3801T/T, 2) Val/Val (RR = 1.04, 95% CI: 0.63, 1.74) or Ile/Val (RR = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.76, 1.10) versus Ile/Ile, or 3) Asp/Asp (RR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.20, 4.49) or Thr/Asp (RR = 1.12, 95% CI: 0.87, 1.43) versus Thr/Thr. Future studies should explore possible interactions between CYP1A1 and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, markers of estrogen exposure, other lifestyle factors influencing hormonal levels, and other genes involved in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolism or hormonal biosynthesis.