3-Methylcholanthrene-inducible liver cytochrome(s) P450 in female Sprague-Dawley rats: possible link between P450 turnover and formation of DNA adducts and I-compounds

Molecular mechanisms of pulmonary carcinogenesis by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs): Implications for human lung cancer

Lung cancer has the second highest incidence and highest mortality compared to all other cancers. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) molecules belong to a class of compounds that are present in tobacco smoke, diesel exhausts, smoked foods, as well as particulate matter (PM). PAH-derived reactive metabolites are significant contributors to lung cancer development. The formation of these reactive metabolites entails metabolism of the parent PAHs by cytochrome P4501A1/1B1 (CYP1A1/1B1) and epoxide hydrolase enzymes. These reactive metabolites then react with DNA to form DNA adducts, which contribute to key gene mutations, such as the tumor suppressor gene, p53 and are linked to pulmonary carcinogenesis. PAH exposure also leads to upregulation of CYP1A1 transcription by binding to the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) and eliciting transcription of the CYP1A1 promoter, which comprises specific xenobiotic-responsive element (XREs). While hepatic and pulmonary CYP1A1/1B1 metabolize PAHs to DNA-reactive metabolites, the hepatic CYP1A2, however, may protect against lung tumor development by suppressing both liver and lung CYP1A1 enzymes. Further analysis of these enzymes has shown that PAH-exposure also induces sustained transcription of CYP1A1, which is independent of the persistence of the parent PAH. CYP1A2 enzyme plays an important role in the sustained induction of hepatic CYP1A1. PAH exposure may further contribute to pulmonary carcinogenesis by producing epigenetic alterations. DNA methylation, histone modification, long interspersed nuclear element (LINE-1) activation, and non-coding RNA, specifically microRNA (miRNA) alterations may all be induced by PAH exposure. The relationship between PAH-induced enzymatic reactive metabolite formation and epigenetic alterations is a key area of research that warrants further exploration. Investigation into the potential interplay between these two mechanisms may lead to further understanding of the mechanisms of PAH carcinogenesis. These mechanisms will be crucial for the development of effective targeted therapies and early diagnostic tools.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon-induced Pulmonary Carcinogenesis in Cytochrome P450 (CYP)1A1- and 1A2-Null Mice: Roles of CYP1A1 and CYP1A2

In 2019, lung cancer was estimated to be the leading cause of cancer deaths in humans. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are known to increase the risk of lung cancer. PAHs are metabolized by the cytochrome P450 (CYP)1A subfamily, comprised of the CYP1A1 and 1A2 monooxygenases. These enzymes bioactivate PAHs into reactive metabolites that induce mutagenic DNA adducts, which can lead to cancer. Past studies have investigated the role of CYP1A1 in PAH bioactivation; however, the individual roles of each CYP1A enzyme are still unknown. In this investigation, we tested the hypothesis that mice lacking the genes for Cyp1a1 or Cyp1a2 will display altered susceptibilities to PAH-induced pulmonary carcinogenesis. Wild-type, Cyp1a1-null (Cyp1a1-/-), and Cyp1a2-null (Cyp1a2-/-) male and female mice were treated with 3-methylcholanthrene for cancer initiation and tumor formation studies. In wild-type mice, CYP1A1 and 1A2 expression was induced by 3-methylcholanthrene. Cyp1a1-/- and Cyp1a2-/- mice treated with PAHs displayed a compensatory pattern, where knocking out 1 Cyp1a gene led to increased expression of the other. Cyp1a1-/- mice were resistant to DNA adduct and tumor formation, whereas Cyp1a2-/- mice displayed increased levels of both. UALCAN analysis revealed that lung adenocarcinoma patients with high levels of CYP1A2 expression survive significantly better than patients with low/medium expression. In conclusion, Cyp1a1-/- mice were less susceptible to PAH-induced pulmonary carcinogenesis, whereas Cyp1a2-/- mice were more susceptible. In addition, high CYP1A2 expression was found to be protective for lung adenocarcinoma patients. These results support the need to develop novel CYP1A1 inhibitors to mitigate human lung cancer.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: from metabolism to lung cancer

Excessive exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) often results in lung cancer, a disease with the highest cancer mortality in the United States. After entry into the lung, PAHs induce phase I metabolic enzymes such as cytochrome P450 (CYP) monooxygenases, i.e. CYP1A1/2 and 1B1, and phase II enzymes such as glutathione S-transferases, UDP glucuronyl transferases, NADPH quinone oxidoreductases (NQOs), aldo-keto reductases (AKRs), and epoxide hydrolases (EHs), via the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)-dependent and independent pathways. Humans can also be exposed to PAHs through diet, via consumption of charcoal broiled foods. Metabolism of PAHs through the CYP1A1/1B1/EH pathway, CYP peroxidase pathway, and AKR pathway leads to the formation of the active carcinogens diol-epoxides, radical cations, and o-quinones. These reactive metabolites produce DNA adducts, resulting in DNA mutations, alteration of gene expression profiles, and tumorigenesis. Mutations in xenobiotic metabolic enzymes, as well as polymorphisms of tumor suppressor genes (e.g. p53) and/or genes involved in gene expression (e.g. X-ray repair cross-complementing proteins), are associated with lung cancer susceptibility in human populations from different ethnicities, gender, and age groups. Although various metabolic activation/inactivation pathways, AhR signaling, and genetic susceptibilities contribute to lung cancer, the precise points at which PAHs induce tumor initiation remain unknown. The goal of this review is to provide a current state-of-the-science of the mechanisms of human lung carcinogenesis mediated by PAHs, the experimental approaches used to study this complex class of compounds, and future directions for research of these compounds.

Disruption of the gene for CYP1A2, which is expressed primarily in liver, leads to differential regulation of hepatic and pulmonary mouse CYP1A1 expression and augmented human CYP1A1 transcriptional activation in response to 3-methylcholanthrene in vivo

The cytochrome P4501A (CYP1A) enzymes play important roles in the metabolic activation and detoxification of numerous environmental carcinogens, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). In this study, we tested the hypothesis that hepatic CYP1A2 differentially regulates mouse hepatic and pulmonary CYP1A1 expression and suppresses transcriptional activation of human CYP1A1 (hCYP1A1) promoter in response to 3-methylcholanthrene (MC) in vivo. Administration of wild-type (WT) (C57BL/6J) or Cyp1a2-null mice with a single dose of MC (100 μmol/kg i.p.) caused significant increases in hepatic CYP1A1/1A2 activities, apoprotein content, and mRNA levels 1 day after carcinogen withdrawal compared with vehicle-treated controls. The induction persisted in the WT, but not Cyp1a2-null, animals, for up to 15 days. In the lung, MC caused persistent CYP1A1 induction for up to 8 days in both genotypes, with Cyp1a2-null mice displaying a greater extent of CYP1A1 expression. It is noteworthy that MC caused significant augmentation of human CYP1A1 promoter activation in transgenic mice expressing the hCYP1A1 and the reporter luciferase gene on a Cyp1a2-null background, compared with transgenic mice on the WT background. In contrast, the mouse endogenous hepatic, but not pulmonary, persistent CYP1A1 expression was repressed by MC in the hCYP1A1-Cyp1a2-null mice. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry experiments showed that CYP1A2 catalyzed the formation of 1-hydroxy-3-MC and/or 2-hydroxy-3-MC, a metabolite that may contribute to the regulation of CYP1A1 expression. In conclusion, the results suggest that CYP1A2 plays a pivotal role in the regulation of hepatic and pulmonary CYP1A1 by PAHs, a phenomenon that potentially has important implications for PAH-mediated carcinogenesis.

Persistent induction of cytochrome P4501A1 in human hepatoma cells by 3-methylcholanthrene: evidence for sustained transcriptional activation of the CYP1A1 promoter

Cytochrome P450 (P450)1A1 plays a critical role in the metabolic activation and detoxification of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), many of which are potent human carcinogens. In this investigation, we tested the hypothesis that MC elicits persistent induction of CYP1A1 expression in human hepatoma cells (HepG2) and that this phenomenon is mediated by sustained transcriptional activation of the CYP1A1 promoter. Treatment of HepG2 cells with MC resulted in marked induction (8-20-fold) of ethoxyresorufin O-de-ethylase activities, CYP1A1 apoprotein contents, and mRNA levels, which persisted for up to 96 h. MC also caused sustained transcriptional activation of the human CYP1A1 promoter for up to 96 h, as inferred from transient transfection experiments. Experiments with deletion constructs indicated that Ah response elements located at -886, -974, and -1047, but not -491, nucleotides from the start site, contributed to the sustained transcriptional activation of the CYP1A1 promoter. Electrophoretic mobility-shift and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays suggested that prolonged CYP1A1 induction was mediated by Ah receptor (AHR)-independent mechanisms. Experiments with [3H]MC and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry demonstrated rapid elimination of MC and its metabolites from the cells by 12 to 24 h, suggesting that these compounds did not elicit sustained CYP1A1 induction via the classical AHR-mediated pathway. In conclusion, the results of this study support the hypothesis that MC causes persistent induction of CYP1A1 in human hepatoma cells by mechanisms entailing sustained transcriptional activation of the CYP1A1 promoter via AHR-independent mechanisms. These observations have important implications for human carcinogenesis mediated by PAHs.

Persistent induction of cytochrome P450 (CYP)1A enzymes by 3-methylcholanthrene in vivo in mice is mediated by sustained transcriptional activation of the corresponding promoters

There is significant human exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), many of which are potent carcinogens. Cytochrome P450 (CYP)1A enzymes play key roles in the metabolic activation of PAHs to carcinogenic metabolites. We previously showed persistent induction of CYP1A enzymes by 3-methylcholanthrene (MC) in vivo in rodents. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that MC elicits persistent induction of CYP1A1 and 1A2 in vivo by mechanisms entailing sustained transcriptional activation of the corresponding promoters. Adult male wild type (WT) (Cd-1) mice, transgenic mice expressing the human CYP1A1 promoter or the mouse CYP1A2 promoter were treated with the vehicle corn oil (CO) or the carcinogenic PAH, 3-methylcholanthrene (MC), once daily for 4days, and luciferase reporter gene expression was determined at 1, 8, 15, and 22days after MC withdrawal by bioluminescent imaging. Pulmonary and hepatic endogenous expression of CYP1A1 and 1A2 was also determined at the enzymatic, protein, and mRNA levels. The major findings were that MC elicited marked enhancement in the luciferase expression in the CYP1A1-luc as well CYP1A2-luc transgenic mice that was sustained for up to 22days, the magnitude of induction being more pronounced in the CYP1A1-luc mice. MC also caused persistent induction of endogenous CYP1A1 and 1A2 expression in the WT, CYP1A1-luc, and 1A2-luc mice for up to 22days. In conclusion, our results support the hypothesis that MC elicits sustained CYP1A1 and 1A2 expression by sustained transcriptional activation of the corresponding promoters. Thus, these novel transgenic models should be very useful for further understanding of the molecular mechanisms of persistent CYP1A induction, in relation to PAH-mediated carcinogenesis.

Bioactivation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Carcinogens within the vascular Wall: Implications for Human Atherogenesis

Atherogenesis is a complex pathogenetic process involving a variety of structural and functional deficits within the arterial wall that culminate in the formation of fibrous atherosclerotic plaques. Cigarette smoking is potentially the most remediable contributor to cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. Among the 4000 plus chemicals present in tobacco and tobacco smoke, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been firmly implicated in the etiology of atherosclerosis in experimental model systems. However, the molecular mechanisms responsible for PAH-induced vascular injury are not well understood. In this review, we have focused on the mechanisms of bioactivation of PAHs in the vas-culature, and the possible role(s) of cytochrome P4501A and 1B enzymes in the formation of PAH-DNA adducts within the vessel wall, a phenomenon that may contribute to the development of atherosclerotic plaques in humans.

Persistent induction of hepatic and pulmonary phase II enzymes by 3-methylcholanthrene in rats

We reported earlier that exposure of rats to 3-methylcholanthrene (MC) causes sustained induction of hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP)1A expression for up to 45 days by mechanisms other than persistence of the parent MC (Moorthy, J. 2000. Pharmacology. Exp. Ther. 294, 313-322). The CYP1A genes are members of the Ah gene battery that also encode CYP1B1 and phase II enzymes such as glutathione S-transferase (GST-alpha), UDP glucuronyl transferase (UGT)1A, NAD(P)H (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, reduced):quinone oxidoreductase I (NQO1), aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), etc. Therefore, in this investigation, we tested the hypothesis that MC elicits persistent induction of CYP1B1 and phase II genes, which are in part regulated by the Ah receptor (AHR). Female Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with MC (100 mumol/kg), ip, once daily for 4 days, and expression of CYP1B1 and several phase II (e.g., GST-alpha, NQO1) genes and their corresponding proteins were determined in lung and liver. The major finding was that MC persistently induced (3- to 10-fold) the expression of several phase II enzymes, including GST-alpha, NQO1, UGT1A1, ALDH, and epoxide hydrolase in both tissues for up to 28 days. However, MC did not elicit sustained induction of CYP1B1. Our results thus support the hypothesis that MC elicits coordinated and sustained induction of phase II genes presumably via persistent activation of the AHR, a phenomenon that may have implications for chemical-induced carcinogenesis and chemopreventive strategies in humans.

3-Methylcholanthrene elicits DNA adduct formation in the CYP1A1 promoter region and attenuates reporter gene expression in rat H4IIE cells

Cytochrome CYP1A (CYP1A) enzymes catalyze bioactivation of 3-methylcholanthrene (MC) to genotoxic metabolites. Here, we tested the hypothesis that CYP1A2 catalyzes formation of MC-DNA adducts that are preferentially formed in the promoter region of CYP1A1, resulting in modulation of CYP1A1 gene expression. MC bound covalently to plasmid DNA (50 micro g) containing human CYP1A1 promoter (pGL3-1A1), when incubated with wild-type (WT) liver microsomes (2 mg) and NAPPH 37 degrees C for 2h, giving rise to 9 adducts, as determined by (32)P-postlabeling. Eighty percent of adducts was located in the promoter region. Transient transfection of the adducted plasmids into rat hepatoma (H4IIE) cells for 16h, followed by MC (1 micro M) treatment for 24h inhibited reporter (luciferase) gene expression by 75%, compared to unadducted controls. Our results suggest that CYP1A2 plays a key role in sequence-specific MC-DNA adduct formation in the CYP1A1 promoter region, leading to attenuation of CYP1A1 gene expression.

CYP1A in TCDD toxicity and in physiology-with particular reference to CYP dependent arachidonic acid metabolism and other endogenous substrates

Toxicologic and physiologic roles of CYP1A enzyme induction, the major biochemical effect of aryl hydrocarbon receptor activation by TCDD and other receptor ligands, are unknown. Evidence is presented that CYP1A exerts biologic effects via metabolism of endogenous substrates (i.e., arachidonic acid, other eicosanoids, estrogens, bilirubin, and melatonin), production of reactive oxygen, and effects on K(+) and Ca(2+) channels. These interrelated pathways may connect CYP1A induction to TCDD toxicities, including cardiotoxicity, vascular dysfunction, and wasting. They may also underlie homeostatic roles for CYP1A, especially when transiently induced by common chemical exposures and environmental conditions (i.e., tryptophan photoproducts, dietary indoles, and changes in oxygen tension).

Tissue-specific attenuation of endogenous DNA I-compounds in rats by carcinogen azoxymethane: possible role of dietary fish oil in colon cancer prevention

I-compounds are bulky covalent DNA modifications that are derived from metabolic intermediates of nutrients. Some I-compounds may play protective roles against cancer, aging, and degenerative diseases. Many carcinogens and tumor promoters significantly reduce I-compound levels gradually during carcinogenesis. Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States, whereas cancer of the small intestine is relatively rare. Here we have studied levels of I-compounds in DNA of colon and duodenum of male Sprague-Dawley rats treated with azoxymethane. The effects of dietary lipids (fish oil or corn oil) on colon and duodenal DNA I-compounds were also investigated. Rats fed a diet containing fish oil or corn oil were treated with 15 mg/kg azoxymethane. Animals were terminated 0, 6, 9, 12, or 24 hours after injection. I-compound levels were analyzed by the nuclease P1-enhanced (32)P-postlabeling assay. Rats treated with azoxymethane displayed lower levels of I-compounds in colon DNA compared with control groups (0 hour). However, I-compound levels in duodenal DNA were not diminished after azoxymethane treatment. Animals fed a fish oil diet showed higher levels of I-compounds in colonic DNA compared with corn oil groups (mean adduct levels for fish and corn oil groups were 13.35 and 10.69 in 10(9) nucleotides, respectively, P = 0.034). Taken together, these results support claims that fish oil, which contains a high level of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, may have potent chemopreventive effects on carcinogen-induced colon cancer. The fact that duodenal I-compounds were not diminished by azoxymethane treatment may have been due to the existence of tissue-specific factors protecting against carcinogenesis. In conclusion, our observations show that endogenous DNA adducts may serve not only as sensitive biomarkers in carcinogenesis and cancer prevention studies, but are also helpful to further our understanding of the chemopreventive properties of omega-3 fatty acids and mechanisms of carcinogenesis.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-inducible DNA adducts: evidence by 32P-postlabeling and use of knockout mice for Ah receptor-independent mechanisms of metabolic activation in vivo

There is significant human exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), many of which are potent carcinogens in laboratory animals and are suspected human carcinogens. The PAHs are bioactivated by cytochrome P450 (CYP)1A1/1B1 enzymes to reactive intermediates that bind to DNA, a critical step in the initiation of carcinogenesis. The Ah receptor (AHR) plays a critical role in the induction of CYP1 enzymes (i.e., CYP1A1, 1A2 and 1B1) by PAHs such as benzo[a]pyrene (BP) and 3-methylcholanthrene (MC). In our investigation, we tested the hypothesis that AHR-null animals are less susceptible to PAH-induced DNA adduct formation than wild-type animals. Wild-type [AHR (+/+)] mice or mice lacking the gene for the AHR were treated with a single dose (100 micromol/kg) of BP or MC, and hepatic DNA adducts were analyzed by (32)P-postlabeling. BP induced multiple hepatic DNA adducts in wild-type as well as AHR-null animals, suggesting the existence of AHR-independent mechanisms for BP metabolic activation. On the other hand, DNA adduct formation was markedly suppressed in AHR-null animals exposed to MC, although the major MC-DNA adduct was produced in these animals. Hepatic activities and apoprotein contents of 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) (CYP1A1) and 7-methoxyresorufin O-demethylase (MROD) (CYP1A2) activities were markedly induced by BP and MC in the wild-type, but not, in AHR-null animals. CYP1B1 expression was also induced, albeit to a lesser extent by the PAH MC, but not BP, in the wild-type animals. In conclusion, these results demonstrate the existence of AHR- and CYP1A1-independent mechanisms of PAH metabolic activation in mouse liver, a phenomenon that may have important implications for PAH-mediated carcinogenesis.

Differential regulation of expression of hepatic and pulmonary cytochrome P4501A enzymes by 3-methylcholanthrene in mice lacking the CYP1A2 gene

The cytochrome P4501A enzymes play important roles in carcinogen metabolism. We reported previously that 3-methylcholanthrene (MC) elicits a persistent induction of hepatic, pulmonary, and mammary microsomal cytochrome P450 (P450) 1A enzymes for several weeks after MC withdrawal. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that CYP1A2, a liver-specific P450 isozyme, plays an important role in the mechanisms governing persistent CYP1A1 induction by MC in liver but not in extra-hepatic tissues such as lung, which is devoid of endogenous CYP1A2. Administration of wild-type (WT) or CYP1A2-null mice with MC (100 micromol/kg i.p.) once daily for 4 days caused significant increases in hepatic CYP1A1/1A2 activities, apoprotein contents, and mRNA levels 1 day after carcinogen withdrawal compared with vehicle-treated controls. The induction persisted in the WT, but not CYP1A2-null animals, for up to 15 days. In the lung, MC caused persistent CYP1A1 induction for 15 days in both the genotypes. Since MC is almost completely eliminated by day 15, we hypothesize that CYP1A2 contributes to the up-regulation of CYP1A1 in liver, but not lung, by a novel mechanism, presumably involving a CYP1A2-dependent persistent metabolite. The studies demonstrate tissue-specific differences in the regulation of CYP1A by MC, a phenomenon that may have implications for human carcinogenesis caused by environmental chemicals.

Genotoxicity of 3-methylcholanthrene in liver of transgenic big Blue mice

Transgenic mice provide a unique tool for studying the tissue specificity and mutagenic potential of chemicals. Because 3-methylcholanthrene (3MC) was found mutagenic in bacteria, clastogenic in bone marrow, and induces DNA adducts in animals, we were interested to determinine whether this xenobiotic provokes (1) cell proliferation, (2) transcriptional activity changes, (3) DNA adducts, and (4) hepatic mutations in transgenic Big Blue mice carrying the lambdaLIZ phage shuttle vector. Big Blue C57/Bl male mice were treated with a single intraperitoneal dose of 80 mg/kg 3MC for 1, 3, 6, 14, or 30 days. Cell proliferation was checked by 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine labeling and immunohistochemical detection. The maximal increase of the mitotic index was evidenced after 3 days (2.9 times the control value; P < 0.01). The relative nucleus area, reflecting the transcriptional activity, was also the highest in the treated group after 3 days: 1.86 times the control value, on average (P < 0.01). Four major DNA adducts, determined according to the [(32)P]-postlabeling method, were evidenced in liver DNA of treated mice, 6 days after the treatment: the spot intensities increased in a time-dependent manner. The mutant frequency of liver DNA was the highest after 14 days: 20.3 +/- 2.9 x 10(-5) in the treated vs. 7.6 +/- 2.7 x 10(-5) in the control mice (P < 0.01). Sequencing of the lambda lacI mutant plaques showed mainly G:C --> T:A and C:G --> A:T transversions. In conclusion, 3MC at first induced nuclear enlargement and a slight increase of cell proliferation in liver, followed by parallel formation of DNA adducts and mutations. This study shows how transgenic models allow in vivo evaluation of mechanistically simultaneous endpoints.

Identification of a multidrug resistance-like system in Tetrahymena pyriformis: evidence for a new detoxication mechanism in freshwater ciliates

The freshwater ciliate Tetrahymena pyriformis is an ubiquitous organism that is present in all aquatic ecosystems. This protozoan showed a clear resistance against some polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons which can be attributed to an efflux pump probably of the multidrug resistance (MDR) type. Immunocytochemical detection showed a positive stain of ciliate cells using the monoclonal antibodies 4E3, raised against P-glycoprotein (P-gp). The kinetics of P-gp expression were studied for control cultures and cultures treated with 15 microM benzo(a)pyrene. Western blot analysis using the Ab1, anti-P-gp polyclonal antibodies indicates the presence of two bands of 66 and 96 kDa of which the intensity increased with time in benzo(a)pyrene-treated ciliates. Uptake experiments with target compounds for the MDR pump, namely adriamycin, rhodamine 123 and two polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, benzo(a)pyrene and 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene, were carried out by flow cytometry, in the presence or absence of cyclosporin (an inhibitor of the multidrug resistant pump). The data indicate that the accumulation of these compounds by ciliate cells is significantly enhanced in the presence of cyclosporin. This suggests that Tetrahymena is provided with a P-gp-like system that is functionally active in a way similar to that of the mammalian P-gp.

Bulky endogenous DNA modifications (I-compounds) -possible structural origins and functional implications

I-compounds are bulky covalent DNA modifications which increase with age in tissues of unexposed laboratory animals and are derived from endogenous DNA-reactive intermediates of nutrient and oxygen metabolism. They have been classified into 2 major groups, i.e., type I and type II. Profiles and levels of type I I-compounds show considerable variation depending on species, strain, tissue, and gender, but are also affected by diet and chemical and hormonal exposures, indicating their formation to be determined by genetic and environmental factors. For example, sex hormones, dietary oat lipids, and isoprenoids affect their profiles and/or levels in tissue DNA. A gradual depletion of many type I I-compounds occurs during carcinogenesis, as many carcinogens/tumor promoters significantly reduce their levels, and neoplasms display very low levels, apparently independent of growth rate, indicating a loss of the ability to form these modified nucleotides. Conversely, dietary restriction, the most effective method to retard carcinogenesis and aging, significantly elevates type I I-compound levels, as compared to age-matched ad libitum-fed animals. Levels of many liver and kidney I-compounds exhibit genotype- and diet-dependent positive linear correlations with median life span. Formation of high levels of oat-related type I I-compounds has been associated with reduced formation of carcinogen-induced preneoplastic hepatic foci. These results suggest that such DNA modifications may not represent DNA lesions but may rather be functionally important. This view is supported by circadian rhythms displayed by some I-compounds. Thus, certain type I I-compounds may play a protective role against carcinogenesis and age-associated degenerative processes. Type II I-compounds, on the other hand, represent DNA damage and include several bulky lesions, which are enhanced by pro-oxidant carcinogens such as ferric nitrilotri- acetate (Fe-NTA) in target organ (kidney) DNA of rodents and are identical to products generated by oxidizing DNA or oligonucleotides under Fenton reaction conditions in vitro. Some of these products appear to be base-base or base-sugar intrastrand crosslinks. Notably, Fe-NTA reduces the levels of type I I-compounds in renal DNA. Type II I-compound levels are increased in tissue DNA of normal newborn rats. The formation of oxidative DNA lesions in neonates is most likely caused by oxidative stress associated with the sudden increase of partial oxygen pressure in arterial blood and tissues at birth. In view of the rapid cell replication at this developmental stage, endogenous oxidative DNA lesions sustained early in life may contribute to the development of cancer and degenerative diseases later in life.

High levels of endogenous DNA adducts (I-compounds) in pig liver. Modulation by high cholesterol/high fat diet

I (indigenous)-compounds are bulky endogenous DNA adducts which are detected by 32P-postlabeling in unexposed animals. I-compound levels in rodents depend on age, species, strain, gender, tissue, diet, and chemical exposure. There are two classes of I-compounds, type I and type II. While many type I I-compounds may not reflect DNA damage, type II I-compounds have been identified as oxidative DNA lesions some of which can be produced in vitro under Fenton reaction conditions. In rats, caloric restriction (CR) increases the levels of many type I I-compounds compared with ad libitum fed animals, while high fat diet has the opposite effect. Here, we have tested whether hepatic DNA of a non-rodent mammal, the pig, contains I-compounds and whether feeding a high cholesterol/high fat (HC/HF) diet modulates their levels, assuming this would affect the formation of lipid-related precursors and cause oxidative stress. Male Yorkshire pigs aged 2 months old, were fed either control or HC/HF diet (control diet supplemented with 2% cholesterol and 19% lard) for 2 months. Pig liver DNA contained at least 19 type I and five type II I-compounds. Among the former, only five matched corresponding spots in rat liver DNA, while all the latter DNA lesions were detected in both species. The levels of both types of DNA modifications were six to eight-fold higher in pig DNA. HC/HF diet reduced levels of many type I I-compounds up to several fold but had little effect on the oxidative lesions. Several type I I-compounds showed negative linear correlations with serum cholesterol levels, while this association was positive for total type II I-compounds. The substantially elevated steady-state levels of bulky endogenous DNA adducts in the species with the longer life expectancy were surprising. Thus, for the first time, an intimate link between nutritional status and endogenous DNA modifications has been established in a non-rodent system. We propose that in order to explain our observations, differences in diet composition, antioxidant defenses, and DNA repair, as well as cytochrome P450 modulation of precursor levels and hormonal effects need to be considered.

Effects of cytochrome P450 inducers on tamoxifen genotoxicity in female mice in vivo

We recently reported that administration of the antiestrogen tamoxifen (TAM) gives rise to two groups of DNA adducts in female mouse liver in vivo, as measured by 32P-postlabeling, and provided evidence that 4-hydroxytamoxifen and alpha-hydroxytamoxifen are proximate carcinogenic metabolites leading to group I and group II adducts, respectively (Randerath et al., Carcinogenesis 15: 2087-2094, 1994). Because cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes play an important role in TAM metabolism, in this investigation we tested the hypothesis that induction of liver CYP enzymes may affect TAM metabolism profoundly, resulting in increased or decreased TAM-DNA adduct formation in vivo. To this end, we treated female ICR mice with TAM either alone or in combination with one of several classic CYP inducers, i.e. phenobarbital (PB), beta-naphthoflavone (BNF), and pregnenolone-16 alpha-carbonitrile (PCN), and determined the levels of 32P-postlabeled TAM-DNA adducts and the activities of several CYP-dependent enzymes. Each of the inducers greatly diminished levels of group II, but did not affect group I adducts. TAM elicited induction of benzphetamine N-demethylase activity in liver, while activities of other enzymes were not affected. TAM, when given in combination with BNF, elicited a synergistic induction of ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) (CYP1A1) and methoxyresorufin O-demethylase (MROD) (CYP1A2) activities. Likewise, PCN given along with TAM caused synergistic induction of EROD and ethylmorphine N-demethylase activities. There was no synergism between PB and TAM, however. Overall, the results further support the existence of two pathways of TAM metabolism to DNA-reactive electrophiles and strongly suggest that the classic CYP inducers tested enhance detoxication of TAM to non-genotoxic metabolites.

Rapid decreases in indigenous covalent DNA modifications (I-compounds) of male Fischer-344 rat liver DNA by diquat treatment

I-compounds are indigenously appearing covalent DNA modifications that can be detected by 32P-postlabeling assay in tissues of normal animals without known exposure to any carcinogens or toxins. Although these compounds have not been structurally identified, indirect evidence from earlier work suggested the possibility of involvement of molecular fragments derived from lipid peroxides. Diquat is a herbicide that stimulates lipid peroxidation and massive intrahepatic oxidant stress through redox cycling-mediated generation of reactive oxygen species. In the present study, we examined the effects of diquat on hepatic I-compounds of male Fischer-344 rats. Two groups of rats, approximately 14 weeks and 8 weeks old, were given a hepatotoxic dose (0.1 mmol/kg) of diquat or equal volumes of saline, i.p. Two and 6 h later plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities were measured and hepatic DNA I-compound levels were examined by nuclease P1-enhanced 32P-postlabeling. Elevated ALT activities were observed in some animals in both groups, at both time points, but considerable inter-animal variation was seen. A total of 15-16 I-compound fractions were measured in control and in diquat-treated animals, but no extra spots indicative of treatment-induced adducts were detected. Despite the qualitative similarities, the quantities of individual I-compounds were markedly decreased at 2 h in diquat-treated animals of both age groups. In 14 week old rats the hepatic I-compound contents were decreased at 2 h by 22-59%, which was statistically significant (ANOVA, P < 0.05) for all of the 9 polar I-compound fractions and none of the non-polar fractions. Eleven I-spots from this group showed significant negative linear correlations (P < 0.05) with ALT values. In 8 week old rats treated with diquat a 22-43% depletion in I-compound contents was statistically significant for 4 of the 7 nonpolar and 2 of the 8 polar adduct fractions, but there was no significant correlation of I-compound contents with ALT values at the 2 h time point. By 6 h most of the I-spot levels had returned to normal or above normal values in both groups of animals. While most I-spots from 14 week old rats did not correlate with ALT levels at 6 h, two I-spots displayed positive correlations in the 8 week group. Overall, the susceptibility to diquat-associated DNA alterations appeared to differ with age.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Postlabeling: a sensitive method for studying DNA adducts and their role in carcinogenesis

The covalent binding of xenobiotics to DNA is an important trigger of the multistage process that leads to carcinogenesis. 32P-postlabeling represents a highly sensitive method for biomonitoring exposure to genotoxic agents and for cancer risk assessment; it is capable of detecting less than one DNA adduct per human genome. Recent improvements to the technique have shown that the resistance of adducted DNA to enzyme digestion may lead to an overestimation of the number of different adducts present in a sample.

Intensification and depletion of specific bulky renal DNA adducts (I-compounds) following exposure of male F344 rats to the renal carcinogen ferric nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA)

The effects of the renal carcinogen ferric nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA) on kidney DNA of male F344 rats were studied to determine whether bulky DNA oxidation products (putative intrastrand crosslinks) could be detected by 32P-postlabeling in the target organ of carcinogenesis. Rats (10-11 weeks old) were given a single dose of Fe-NTA (15 mg Fe/kg body weight) i.p. at 3:00 pm. After 5 h, renal DNA from Fe-NTA-treated and vehicle control animals was assayed by 32P-postlabeling. Thin-layer chromatography and quantitative analysis of two labeled nucleotide fractions of increasing polarity, L and C, showed that three spots (L1, L2, and C3) were intensified 3.5- to 4.2-fold in treated animals. L1 consisted of subfractions L1a, L1b, and L1c, which could be resolved chromatographically. L1c, L2, and C3 were identical to DNA oxidation products generated by the Fenton reaction in vitro, while L1a and L1b apparently did not arise by this mechanism. DNA damage and toxicity appeared reduced in younger animals and animals treated in the morning, presumably due to differences in antioxidant defenses. Liver and lung (non-target organs) DNA did not exhibit enhanced L1, L2, and C3 spots. In addition to augmenting renal I-compounds, Fe-NTA reduced the levels of three major polar kidney I-compounds (C4, C5, and C6) to 22-53% of control. This reduction did not appear to arise by direct oxidative DNA damage, resembling the previously documented loss of liver I-compounds induced by numerous hepatocarcinogens. Two of these I-compounds (C4 and C5) have been reported to exhibit positive linear correlations with median lifespan of male F344 rats. The pleiotropic response of kidney I-compound levels to Fe-NTA was consistent with different roles of different types (I and II) of I-compounds in Fe-NTA-mediated renal carcinogenesis. The results strongly support a causal relationship between oxidative DNA lesions and Fe-NTA-mediated carcinogenesis.