The specificity of different classes of ethylating agents toward various sites in RNA

Distinct roles of two binding sites for the bovine papillomavirus (BPV) E2 transactivator on BPV DNA replication

The modulation of DNA replication by transcription factors was examined by using bovine papillomavirus type 1 (BPV). BPV replication in vivo requires two viral proteins: E1, an origin-binding protein, and E2, a transcriptional transactivator. In the origin, E1 interacts with a central region flanked by two binding sites for E2 (BS11 and BS12), of which only BS12 has been reported to be essential for replication in vivo. Using chemical interference and electrophoretic mobility shift assays, we found that the binding of E2 to each site stimulates the formation of distinct E1-origin complexes. A high-mobility C1 complex is formed by using critical E2 contacts to BS12 and E1 contacts to the dyad symmetry element. In contrast, interaction of E2 with the BS11 element on the other origin flank promotes the formation of the lower-mobility C3 complex. C3 is a novel species that resembles C2, a previously identified complex that is replication active and formed by E1 alone. The binding of E1 greatly differs in the C1 and C3 complexes, with E1 in the C1 complex limited to the origin dyad symmetry region and E1 in the C3 complex encompassing the region from the proximal edge of BS11 through the distal edge of BS12. We found that the presence of both E2-binding sites is necessary for wild-type replication activity in vivo, as well as for maximal production of the C3 complex. These results show that in the normal viral context, BS11 and BS12 play separate but synergetic roles in the initiation of viral DNA replication that are dependent on their location within the origin. Our data suggest a model in which the binding of E2 to each site sequentially stimulates the formation of distinct E1-origin complexes, leading to the replication-competent complex.

High-affinity RNA ligands to human alpha-thrombin

Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment (SELEX) was used to isolate from a population of 10(13) RNA molecules two classes of high affinity RNAs that bind specifically to human alpha-thrombin. Class I RNAs are represented by a 24-nucleotide RNA (RNA 16.24), and class II RNAs are represented by a 33-nucleotide RNA (RNA 27.33). RNA 16.24 inhibits thrombin-catalyzed fibrin clot formation in vitro. Secondary structures are proposed for these RNAs, revealing a novel stem-loop structure for RNA 16.24, comprised of an unusually large 16-nucleotide loop. Mutants of RNA 16.24 were generated to investigate structural features critical to high-affinity binding. Phosphate modification with ethylnitrosourea identified regions of the RNAs necessary for electrostatic interactions. Competition with heparin suggests that these RNAs bind the electropositive heparin-binding site of thrombin. These ligands represent a novel class of thrombin inhibitors that may be suitable for therapeutic or diagnostic applications.

Probing the structure of RNAs in solution

During these last years, a powerful methodology has been developed to study the secondary and tertiary structure of RNA molecules either free or engaged in complex with proteins. This method allows to test the reactivity of every nucleotide towards chemical or enzymatic probes. The detection of the modified nucleotides and RNase cleavages can be conducted by two different paths which are oriented both by the length of the studied RNA and by the nature of the probes used. The first one uses end-labeled RNA molecule and allows to detect only scissions in the RNA chain. The second approach is based on primer extension by reverse transcriptase and detects stops of transcription at modified or cleaved nucleotides. The synthesized cDNA fragments are then sized by electrophoresis on polyacrylamide:urea gels. In this paper, the various structure probes used so far are described, and their utilization is discussed.

Structural and conformational studies on deoxyguanosyl-3',5'-deoxyadenosine monophosphate and its ethyl phosphotriester analogs--left-handed dimers

The mode of base-base stacking, the handedness and the sugar(dGpA)phosphate backbone conformation of deoxyguanosyl 3'-5' deoxyadenosine and its diastereomeric ethyl phosphotriester analogs were studied by 1H NMR, UV and CD spectroscopy. The results indicate the three dimers are left-handed, while the sugar phosphate backbone is comprised predominantly of C2-endo,gg(C4-C5) and g'g (C5-O) conformers. The two bases are extensively stacked and interact about 90 degrees along the dyad axes. The extent of base overlap in dGpA is slightly greater than in either ethyl phosphotriester analog. The absolute configurations of the two ethyl phosphotriester diastereoisomers of dGpA can be assigned by one-dimensional and two-dimensional 1H NMR nuclear Overhauser enhancement experiments.

Yeast tRNAAsp tertiary structure in solution and areas of interaction of the tRNA with aspartyl-tRNA synthetase. A comparative study of the yeast phenylalanine system by phosphate alkylation experiments with ethylnitrosourea

Ethylnitrosourea is an alkylating reagent preferentially modifying phosphate groups in nucleic acids. It was used to monitor the tertiary structure, in solution, of yeast tRNAAsp and to determine those phosphate groups in contact with the cognate aspartyl-tRNA synthetase. Experiments involve 3' or 5'-end-labelled tRNA molecules, low yield modification of the free or complexed nucleic acid and specific splitting at the modified phosphate groups. The resulting end-labelled oligonucleotides are resolved on polyacrylamide sequencing gels and data analysed by autoradiography and densitometry. Experiments were conducted in parallel on yeast tRNAAsp and on tRNAPhe. In that way it was possible to compare the solution structure of two elongator tRNAs and to interpret the modification data using the known crystal structures of both tRNAs. Mapping of the phosphates in free tRNAAsp and tRNAPhe allowed the detection of differential reactivities for phosphates 8, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24 and 49: phosphates 18, 19, 23, 24 and 49 are more reactive in tRNAAsp, while phosphates 8, 20 and 22 are more reactive in tRNAPhe. All other phosphates display similar reactivities in both tRNAs, in particular phosphate 60 in the T-loop, which is strongly protected. Most of these data are explained by the crystal structures of the tRNAs. Thermal transitions in tRNAAsp could be followed by chemical modifications of phosphates. Results indicate that the D-arm is more flexible than the T-loop. The phosphates in yeast tRNAAsp in contact with aspartyl-tRNA synthetase are essentially contained in three continuous stretches, including those at the corner of the amino acid accepting and D-arm, at the 5' side of the acceptor stem and in the variable loop. When represented in the three-dimensional structure of the tRNAAsp, it clearly appears that one side of the L-shaped tRNA molecule, that comprising the variable loop, is in contact with aspartyl-tRNA synthetase. In yeast tRNAPhe interacting with phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase, the distribution of protected phosphates is different, although phosphates in the anticodon stem and variable loop are involved in both systems. With tRNAPhe, the data cannot be accommodated by the interaction model found for tRNAAsp, but they are consistent with the diagonal side model proposed by Rich & Schimmel (1977). The existence of different interaction schemes between tRNAs and aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, correlated with the oligomeric structure of the enzyme, is proposed.

X-ray structure of cytidine-5'-O-dimethylphosphate. Novel stacking between the ribosyl O(2') hydroxyl oxygen atom and the base

The anionic oxygen atoms of the phosphodiester backbone of RNA and DNA are particularly susceptible to esterification by many mutagenic and carcinogenic alkylating agents. To better understand the geometric, electronic and conformational properties of the alkylated sugar phosphate moiety, the X-ray structure of the phosphotriesterified nucleotide, cytidine-5'-O-dimethylphosphate (C11H18N3O8P), was undertaken. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2, with unit cell parameters of a = 5.741(2), b = 11.625(1), c = 11.425(1)A, beta = 94.43(2) degrees. The structure was solved by direct methods and refined by block-diagonal least-squares technique to an R index of 0.034 (Rw = 0.046). The D-ribofuranosyl ring is in the 3T2 twist conformation (P = 13.1(2) degrees, tau m = 36.7(2) degrees) and the conformation about the C(1')-N(1) glycosyl bond is anti (XCN = 8.3(2) degrees). The four P-O bond lengths are significantly shorter than those of the nonalkylated nucleotides. The three sets of phosphodiester linkages, (omega 'A, omega A), (omega 'B, omega B) and (omega 'C, omega C), take the (g-,t), (t,g) and (g-,t) conformations, respectively. There is no base-base or alkyl-base stacking, however, a novel intermolecular stacking is found between the ribosyl O(2') hydroxyl oxygen atom and a neighboring pyrimidine ring. This hydroxyl-base stacking interaction may have implications in the stabilization of the tertiary and quarternary structure of ribonucleic acids and nucleic acid-protein complexes.

A review of the genetic effects of ethyl methanesulfonate

Ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) is a monofunctional ethylating agent that has been found to be mutagenic in a wide variety of genetic test systems from viruses to mammals. It has also been shown to be carcinogenic in mammals. Alkylation of cellular, nucleophilic sites by EMS occurs via a mixed SN1/SN2 reaction mechanism. While ethylation of DNA occurs principally at nitrogen positions in the bases, because of the partial SN1 character of the reaction, EMS is also able to produce significant levels of alkylation at oxygens such as the O6 of guanine and in the DNA phosphate groups. Genetic data obtained using microorganisms suggest that EMS may produce both GC to AT and AT to GC transition mutations. There is also some evidence that EMS can cause base-pair insertions or deletions as well as more extensive intragenic deletions. In higher organisms, there is clear-cut evidence that EMS is able to break chromosomes, although the mechanisms involved are not well understood. An often cited hypothesis is that DNA bases ethylated by EMS (mostly the N-7 position of guanine) gradually hydrolyze from the deoxyribose on the DNA backbone leaving behind an apurinic (or possibly an apyrimidinic) site that is unstable and can lead to single-strand breakage of the DNA. Data also exist that suggest that ethylation of some chromosomal proteins in mouse spermatids by EMS may be an important factor in causing chromosome breakage.

Theoretical study on the alkylation and protonation of the nucleic acid bases

Protonation and alkylation by H+, CH3+ and C2H5+ of nucleic acid bases (cytosine, thymine, uracil, adenine and guanine) have been studied. Different theoretical approaches, namely semi-empirical MINDO/3 and ab initio calculations, have been compared, together with experimental values. The necessity of supermolecular approach to the study of alkylation is indicated. It is also shown that changes of size of attacking agents cause considerable changes in the order of affinities of the target sites and consequences in the mutagenic and carcinogenic processes can be expected.

Interaction of tRNAPhe and tRNAVal with aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. A chemical modification study

The alkylation by ethylnitrosourea of phosphodiester bonds in tRNAPhe from yeast and in tRNAVal from yeast and from rabbit liver and that by 4-(N-2-chloroethyl-N-methylamino)-benzylamine of N-7 atoms of guanosine residues in yeast tRNAVal have been used to study the interaction of these tRNAs with aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. The modifications occurring at low yield were carried out on 3' and/or 5' end-labelled tRNAs either free or in the presence of cognate or non-cognate synthetases. After splitting of the tRNAs at the alkylated positions, the position of the modification sites in the tRNA sequences were detected by acrylamide gel electrophoresis. It was found that the synthetases protect against alkylation certain phosphate or guanosine residues in their cognate tRNAs. Non-cognate synthetases failed to protect efficiently specific positions in tRNA against modification. In yeast tRNAPhe the cognate phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase protects certain phosphates located in all four stems and in the anticodon and extra-loop of the tRNA. Particularly strong protections occur on phosphate 34 in the anticodon loop and on phosphates 23, 27, 28, 41 and 46 in the D and anticodon stems. In yeast tRNAVal complexed with yeast valyl-tRNA synthetase the protected phosphates are essentially located in the corner between the amino-acid-accepting and D stems, in the D loop, anticodon stem and in the variable region of the tRNA. Three guanosine residues, located in the D stem, and another one in the 3' part of the anticodon stem were also found protected by the synthetase. In mammalian tRNAVal, complexed with the cognate but heterologous yeast valyl-tRNA synthetase, the protected phosphates lie in the anticodon stem, in the extra-loop and in the T psi arm. The location of the protected residues in the structure of three tRNAs suggests some common features in the binding of tRNAs to aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. These results will be discussed in the light of informations on interaction sites obtained by nuclease digestion and ultraviolet cross-linking methods.

Nerve growth factor and neural oncology

The precise role of the nerve growth factor protein (NGF) during the growth and development of the human nervous system is not determined. Although it appears to influence a number of neural functions, its mechanism of action is poorly understood. A number of researchers have proposed that NGF may be involved in several pathological conditions including cancer. It has been shown that NGF is secreted by certain sarcoma (23), neuroblastoma (113), and glioma (7,102,136) cell lines and can bind to neuroblastoma and metastatic melanoma cell lines (42). Neuroblastoma (136,181) and pheochromocytoma (165) cells in vitro can be induced by NGF to differentiate toward a morphologically "more benign" state and appropriate NGF treatment of rats can reduce the number of chemically induced gliomas and neurinomas (174,178). NGF can also reduce the growth of intracerebrally inoculated anaplastic glioma cells (172). Anti-NGF treatment of rats (178) and mice (179) can alter the tumor distribution observed following ethylnitrosourea or benzo(a)pyrene treatment (10). In humans, it has been reported that serum levels of NGF are usually elevated in persons "at risk" for neurofibromatosis (156). The precise nature of the NGF role is not known in these instances. Further understanding of the action of NGF could be of clinical importance.

Chemical probes for tRNA tertiary structure. Comparative alkylation of tRNA with methylnitrosourea, ethylnitrosourea and dimethylsulfate

The tertiary structure of tRNA in solution can be proved by chemical modification experiments. Three reagents, N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea, N-methyl-N-nitrosourea and dimethylsulfate which are known to alkylate nucleic acids at nucleophilic centers were compared. It is found that N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea and N-methyl-N-nitrosourea mainly react with phosphate residues and dimethylsulfate only with the bases. With dimethylsulfate the extent of alkylation of guanosines is about one order of magnitude higher than that of the phosphates by the nitroso compounds.

Tertiary structure of tRNAs in solution monitored by phosphodiester modification with ethylnitrosourea

The alkylation by ethylnitrosourea of phosphodiester bonds in yeast tRNAPhe, tRNAVal and in Escherichia coli tRNAGlu, tRNAfMet, tRNAmMet and tRNAPhe was investigated under various conditions. In unfolded tRNAs the reactivities of phosphates in various positions toward the reagent were similar. In the folded tRNAs remarkable differences in reactivities of phosphates located in various positions of the molecules were observed. In yeast and E. coli tRNAPhe, reactivities of phosphates in positions 9, 10, 11, 19, 49, 58, 59 and 60 were found to be strongly decreased. Some decrease in reactivity was observed for phosphates 23 and 24. Spermine and ethidium bromide did not influence the pattern of phosphate alkylation in the T psi C arm of yeast tRNAPhe. Our solution results fit with the crystal structure of tRNAPhe with respect to the potential availability of the phosphates in this tRNA to solvent as shown by others. Judging from the pattern of phosphate reactivities, the structure of E. coli tRNAPhe is very similar to that of yeast tRNAPhe. Upon thermal denaturation of the yeast tRNAPhe, the reactivity of the low-reactive phosphates increased, demonstrating a cooperative melting curve. A comparison of the patterns of phosphate alkylation in several tRNAs, essentially in their T psi C arms, revealed a striking similarity, suggesting that the folding of these tRNAs is essentially similar.

tRNA chemical methylation. In vitro and in vivo formation of 1,7-dimethylguanosine at high concentrations of methylating agents

The methylation patterns produced in Escherichia coli B tRNA by a range of concentrations of the weak carcinogen dimethyl sulphate were examined with the following results: 1. 1,7-Dimethylguanosine was found to be formed in high amounts in the tRNA methylation reaction at high concentrations of methylating agent. 2. The dialkylated compound was recovered mainly in the form of derivatives, the spectral and chromatographic behaviour of which varied according to the procedures used for their isolation. Similar results were obtained for the in vivo methylation of rat-liver tRNA: after administration of a very high dose of the powerful carcinogen dimethylnitrosamine, 1,7-dimethylguanosine was found in rat-liver tRNA. Moreover, the analysis of the time-course of nucleic acid methylation indicated that this dialkylated product was still present in rat-liver tRNA when the major product of alkylation, 7-methylguanine, had almost completely disappeared.

Genetic effects of dimethyl sulfate, diethyl sulfate, and related compounds

DMS and DES are monofunctional alkylating agents that have been shown to induce mutations, chromosomal aberrations, and other genetic alterations in a diversity of organisms. They have also been shown to be carcinogenic in animals. As an alkylating agent, DMS is a typical SN2 agent, attacking predominantly nitrogen sites in nucleic acids. DES is capable of SN1 alkylations as well as SN2 and thereby causes some alkylation on oxygen sites including the O6-position of guanine which is thought to be significant in mutagenesis by direct mispairing. The mutagenicity of DMS is better explained in terms of indirect, repair-dependent processes. With respect to both alkylating activity and genetic effects, striking similarities are found between DMS and MMS and between DES and EMS. In most systems where they have been tested, both DMS and DES are mutagenic. Results of many of the mutagenesis studies involving these compounds and other alkylating sulfuric acid esters are summarized in Tables 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 of this review. Most data are consistent with these agents acting primarily as base-pair substitution mutagens. In the case of DES, strong specificity for G.C to A.T transitions has been reported in some systems but has not been clearly supported in some others. Low levels of frameshift mutations of the deletion type are also likely. In addition to the induction of mutations, recombinogenic and clastogenic effects have been described.

Influence of hydrogen bonding in DNA and polynucleotides on reaction of nitrogens and oxygens toward ethylnitrosourea

The reactivity of ethylnitrosourea toward hydrogen-bonded sites in double-stranded DNA or oly(rA).poly(rU) was compared with those sites in single-stranded DNA, RNA, or poly(rA). Alkylation of the N-1 of A in poly(rA).poly(rU) was almost suppressed at 5 degrees C but could be markedly increased by raining the reaction temperature to 25 degrees C, well below the Tm of 56 degrees C. In contrast, the N-7 and N-6 of A, which are not hydrogen bonded, reacted to the same extent at temperatures ranging from 5 to 65 degrees C. The extent of reaction at the N-3 of A varied inversely with the reactivity of the N-1 of A, indicating that of these two nitrogens the N-1 of A is the most reactive. The proportion of reaction at the various nitrogens in poly(rA) was not affected by temperature. Hydrogen-bonded oxygens in double-stranded DNA are the O-6 of G, the O-4 of T, and the O2 of C. All are equally reactive at 5, 25, and 51 degrees C. It is concluded that the observed temperature independence is due to these oxygens having an electron pair not involved in hydrogen bonding and, thus, available for reaction. In contrast, the electron pair of the N-1 of A (or the N-3 of C) is involved in hydrogen bonding, and the extent of their reactivity is dependent on thermal fluctuation providing transiently open base pairs at temperatures far below the Tm.

Reactions of the carcinogen N-acetoxy-4-acetamidostilbene with nucleosides

The carcinogen N-acetoxy-4-acetamidostilbene (N-AcO-AAS) yields multiple products in reactions with guanosine, adenosine or cytidine in aqueous acetone. The major product from the reaction with cytidine is a deamination product, 1-(4-acetamidophenyl)-1-(3-uridyl)-2-hydrosy-2-phenylethane. Three minor products were unstable and were characterized only by their UV spectra and pK values. Adenosine yielded two major products, one of them 1-(4-acetamidophenyl)-1-(N6-adenoxyl)-2-hydroxy-2-phenylethane, and the second 3-(beta-D-ribosyl)-7-phenyl-8-(4-acetamidophenyl)-7,8 dihydroimidazo [2,1-i] purine. The major adduct with guanosine is 1-(4-acetamidophenyl)-1-(1-guanosyl)-2-hydroxy-2-phenylethane. One minor adduct also appears to be a guanosine-N-1 derivative, while two other minor adducts yield 1-(4-acetamidophenyl)-2-phenyl-1, 2-ethanediol on acid hydrolysis, and thus appear to be O6-derivatives. None of the guanine adducts isolated had the properties of N-7, C-8 or N2 adducts. In this respect, N-Aco-AAS appears to behave more like a classical alkylating agent than like previously studied N-acetoxy-N-arylacetamides, although the target organs of 4-acetamidostilbene are the same as those of other N-arylacetamides.

The stability of methyl and ethyl phosphotriesters in DNA in vivo

C57BL male mice were injected with N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNUA) or N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENUA) and the concentration of alkyl phosphotriesters in the DNA of lung, liver, brain, kidney, spleen and thymus determined from the extent of degradation induced in isolated DNA by alkali. The same total dose of reagent was given either as a single injection (i.p.) or by weekly injections carried out over 5-20 weeks. Methyl phosphotriesters induced in liver, lung and kidney by the single injection were lost with a half-life of about 7 days, in brain the loss was more rapid, t1/2 = 2-3 days. During the multiple injections the observed t1/2 was 16 days. Ethyl phosphotriesters formed in the DNA of lung, liver, kidney and brain were much more stable than the methyl derivatives, t1/2 = 10-15 weeks. Phosphotriesters formed in the DNA of spleen and thymus disappeared very quickly after the single injection presumably as a result of dilution due to DNA replication. No accumulation of phosphotriesters occurred in the DNA of these tissues during the multiple injections. The general pattern of the results suggests that phosphotriesters are not excised by cellular repair systems.

DNA strand scission by benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxides

Syn-and anti-benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxides elicit a concentration-dependent nicking of superhelical Col E1 DNA in an in vitro reaction monitored by agarose gel electrophoresis and electron microscopy. This strand scission represents less than 1 percent of the DNA modification by diol epoxide. Kinetic analysis implicates the formation of unstable phosphotriesters, hydrolysis of which nick the DNA.

Sites in nucleic acids reacting with alkylating agents of differing carcinogenicity of mutagenicity

The site of alkylation of a nucleic acid, in vivo, is greatly dependent on the type of alkylating agent. Most alkylating agents of low mutagenicity or carcinogenicity (such as dimethylsulfate) react primarily with the ring nitrogens. The carcinogenic N-nitroso compounds have a great affinity for alkylating oxygens and react with all ring oxygens as well as the phosphodiesters and, in the case of RNA, with the 2'-O of ribose. Ethylating agents, though in absolute terms less reactive than the corresponding methylating agents, show even greater affinity toward oxygens. It appears that the ethyl nitroso compounds that are carcinogenic are also the most reactive with oxygens.

All oxygens in nucleic acids react with carcinogenic ethylating agents

Over 80% of ethylnitrosourea and ethylnitrosoguanidine modification of nucleic acids is on oxygens. The reactivity of oxygens (other than ribose and phosphate) in single-stranded RNA is: O2 of C greater than O2 of U greater than O6 of G greater than O4 of U. In double-stranded DNA the order is: O2 of T equals O6 of G greater than O4 of T greater than O2 of C. Oxygen reactivity of single-stranded DNA resembles RNA. The glycosidic bond of O2-alkylpyrimidines is labilised.

Sites of alkylation of poly(U) by agents of varying carcinogenicity and stability of products

Several alkylating agents of widely varying reported carcinogenicity (dimethylsulfate, diethylsulfate, ethylmethanesulfonate, methylnitrosourea, ethylnitrosourea and ethylnitrosoguanidine) were reacted with poly(U) at pH values ranging from 4.5 to 7.5. All nucleophilic centers (internal phosphate groups, ribose hydroxyls, and O2, N-3 and O4 sites of the uracil base) were found reactive, though to different extents, at neutrality and in slightly acid solution. The distribution of products is a function of the alkylating agent and pH. The nitroso compounds are more reactive toward oxygens than are dialkylsulfates and alkylalkanesulfonates. The ratio of N : O alkyl products is strongly pH dependent, primarily due to the N-3 being most reactive at the higher pH values, while the diester is most reactive at the lower pH values. The extent of reaction of the O2, O4 or 2'-O or ribose is not greatly affected over the pH range tested. At pH 5.0 alkyl ribophosphotriesters mainly lose alchol to re-form a stable phosphodiester. With increasing OH- concentration, the favored reaction is chain scission at the 3'-O-P bond.

Reaction of diazoalkanes with 1-substituted 2, 4-dioxopyrimidines. Formation of O2, N-3 and O4-alkyl products

In non-aqueous solution, diazomethane and diazoethane react with the O2, O4 and N-3 sites of uridine, thymidine, 1-methyluracil and 1-methylthymine. Diazoethane has a higher affinity for alkylating oxygens than does diazomethane. The relative ratio of O2:O4:N-3 methyl products is 1:2:16 and of ethyl products the ratio is 1:1:2. When the diazoethane reaction is performed in neutral buffered solution, the same proportion of O2:O4:N-3 ethyl products is found, but the extent of reaction is very low. O2-alkylation greatly labilizes the glycosidic bond of thymidine and uridine toward acid hydrolysis. All O2 and O4 alkyl 1-substituted 2,4-dioxopyrimidines are dealkylated in weak acid but the O2 alkyl group is the more stable.

The inactivation of bacteriophage R17 by ethylating agents: the lethal lesions

The biological inactivation of bacteriophage R17 by ethyl methanesulphonate (EMS) and N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENUA) has been studied. At the mean lethal dose for the first compound 8 moles ethyl are bound/mole RNA and with the nitroso compound 3.5 moles ethyl are bound. Analysis of the amounts of the different ethylated derivatives formed shows that the toxicity of the sulphonate can be accounted for by the formation of 3-ethylcytosine, O6-ethylguanine, 1-ethyladenine and chain breaks produced on the hydrolysis of ethyl phosphotriesters. With the nitroso derivative on the other hand, the sum of chain breaks and of bases alkylated on a position involved in specific hydrogen bonding between base pairs only accounts for 65% of the observed toxicity. The possibility that 3-ethyladenine may constitute a lethal lesion is discussed.

The specificity of different classes of ethylating agents toward various sites of HeLa cell DNA in vitro and in vivo

The sites and extent of ethyl products of neutral ethylation of HeLa cell DNA by [14-C]diethyl sulfate, [14-C]ethyl methanesulfonate, and [14-C]ethylnitrosourea have been determined in vitro and in vivo, and found to differ significantly depending on the ethylating agents. Diethyl sulfate and ethyl methanesulfonate ethylate the bases of HeLa cell DNA in the following order: 7-ethylguanine greater than 3-ethyladenine greater than 1-ethyladenine, 7-ethyladenine greater than 3-ethylguanine, 3-ethylcytosine, O-6-ethylguanine. Ethyl bases accounted for 84-87% of the total ethyl groups associated with HeLa cell DNA. Ethylnitrosourea, in contrast, has particular affinity for the O-6 position of guanine. It ethylates the bases of HeLa cell DNA in the following order: O-6-ethylguanine, 7-ethylguanine greater than 3-ethyladenine greater than 3-ethylguanine, 3-ethylthymine greater than 1-ethyladenine, 7-ethyladenine, 3-ethylcytosine. Ethylation of the bases only accounts for 30% of the total ethylation in the case of ethylnitrosourea. The remaining 70% of the [14-C]ethyl groups, introduced in vivo and in vitro, are in the form of phosphotriesters which after perchloric acid hydrolysis are found as [14-CA1ethanol and [14-C]ethyl phosphate. In contrast, phosphotriesters amounted to only 8-20% of total ethylation in in vivo or in vitro diethyl sulfate and ethyl methanesulfonate treated HeLa cell DNA, and 25% of the total methylation in in vitro methylnitrosourea treated HeLa cell DNA. Alkylation at the N-7 and N-3 positions of purines in DNA destabilizes the glycosidic linkages. Part of 7-ethylguanine and 3-ethyladenine are found to be spontaneously released during the ethylation reaction. Incorporation of the 14-C of the alkylating agents into normal DNA bases of HeLa cells can be eliminated by performing the alkylations, in the presence of cytosine arabinoside, for 1 hr.