Targeting of 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine residues by chromatin-associated DNMT1 induces proteasomal degradation of the free enzyme.

5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-aza-dC) is a nucleoside analogue with cytotoxic and DNA demethylating effects. Here we show that 5-aza-dC induces the proteasomal degradation of free (non-chromatin bound) DNMT1 through a mechanism which is dependent on DNA synthesis and the targeting of incorporated 5-aza-dC residues by DNMT1 itself. Thus, 5-aza-dC induces Dnmt1 degradation in wild-type mouse ES cells, but not in Dnmt [3a(-/-), 3b(-/-)] mouse ES cells which express Dnmt1 but lack DNA methylation (<0.7% of CpG methylated) and contain few hemi-methylated CpG sites, these being the preferred substrates for Dnmt1. We suggest that adducts formed between DNMT1 and 5-aza-dC molecules in DNA induce a ubiquitin-E3 ligase activity which preferentially targets free DNMT1 molecules for degradation by the proteasome. The proteasome inhibitor MG132 prevents DNMT1 degradation and reduces hypomethylation induced by 5-aza-dC.

Simultaneous determination of decitabine and vorinostat (Suberoylanalide hydroxamic acid, SAHA) by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry for clinical studies.

A reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography method with electrospray ionization and detection by tandem mass spectrometry is described for the simultaneous quantitative determination of decitabine (5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine) and vorinostat (Suberoylanalide hydroxamic acid, SAHA) in human plasma. The method involves a simple acetonitrile precipitation step and centrifugation followed by injection of the supernatant onto a C18 150mmx2.1mm I.D., 3microm HPLC column at 36 degrees C. Separation of decitabine, SAHA and their respective internal standards was achieved with a gradient elution and detection was via the mass spectrometer operated in selected reaction monitoring mode. The method was within the defined validation parameters for linearity, repeatability, reproducibility and stability. The limit of detection was determined as 1.0 and 0.125ngml(-1) and lower limits of quantitation were 10 and 1ngml(-1) for decitabine and SAHA, respectively. Effects of sample preparation on stability were also evaluated in human plasma. For clinical sample handling tetrahydrouridine, an inhibitor of cytidine deaminase was found to help prevent decitabine degradation. The method is currently being used in clinical pharmacokinetic studies for the evaluation of decitabine and SAHA combination therapies.

Analytical method for the quantitative determination of cyanuric acid as the degradation product of sodium dichloroisocyanurate in urine by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry.

A simple and selective analytical method for the quantitative determination of cyanuric acid, the degradation product of sodium dichloroisocyanurate (NaDCC), in human urine is reported herein. The sample preparation involved the use of diatomaceous earth extraction columns. Quantification was achieved by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry using negative ion electrospray with a cyano (CN) column. Between day relative standard deviation less than 10% (n=6) was obtained at the 5 mg L(-1) level. The assay was linear over the investigated range 0-20 mg L(-1) and the limit of detection (LOD) was confirmed to be 0.1 mg L(-1). The method was applied to monitoring levels of cyanuric acid in healthcare workers using disinfectants products containing NaDCC.

Evaluation of gas chromatography-tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry for the determination of organochlorine pesticides in fats and oils.

A gas chromatography-tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry multi-residue method for the analysis of 19 organochlorine pesticides in fats and oils has been developed. Gel permeation chromatography was employed to remove lipid material prior to GC-MS/MS analysis. Average recoveries of the pesticides spiked at 10 and 50 microg kg(-1) into fish oil, pork fat, olive oil and hydrogenated vegetable oil were typically in the range 70-110% with relative standard deviations generally less than 10%. Calculated limits of detection are between 0.1 and 2.0 microg kg(-1) and results obtained for the analysis of proficiency test materials are in good agreement with assigned values. The higher selectivity of the GC-MS/MS compared to electron capture detection and GC-MS in selective ion monitoring mode allowed unambiguous identification and confirmation of all the target pesticides at low microg kg(-1) levels in fats and oils in a single analysis.

Method validation of resistive heating--gas chromatography with flame photometric detection for the rapid screening of organophosphorus pesticides in fruit and vegetables.

A rapid method for the screening of organophosphorus (OP) pesticides in fruit and vegetables is reported. Sample extracts were analysed using resistive heating-gas chromatography (RH-GC) with flame photometric detection (FPD). A CarboFrit insert in the GC liner allowed injection of crude extracts onto the GC system. Separation of up to 20 pesticides was achieved in 4.3 min with excellent retention time stability. Signal-to-noise ratios of 5:1 or better were obtained for the majority of the pesticides at the lowest calibrated level (LCL), 0.01 microg ml(-1), with excellent linearity over the range 0.01-0.5 microg ml(-1) (0.004-0.2 mg kg(-1) equivalent). Average recoveries between 70 and 116% were obtained for pesticides spiked at 0.01 and 0.1 mg kg(-1) with associated R.S.D. values < or =20% in the majority of cases. Estimates of relative reproducibility standard deviation (R.S.D.(R)), made by combining observed R.S.D. values with estimates of uncertainty associated with mean recovery allowed the determination of HORRAT values which confirmed that the method is capable of producing results which are fit for purpose. The validated method was then used to screen peaches, grapes and sweet peppers for a total of 37 pesticides. Incurred residue results obtained using RH-GC-FPD were in good agreement with the results from analysis of the same samples using MS confirmation.

Biological monitoring for exposure to pirimicarb: method development and a human oral dosing study.

This study has developed and validated an assay to quantify metabolites of the carbamate insecticide pirimicarb, whose residues are commonly found on a variety of food products, at levels that might be expected to arise from dietary exposure at or below the acceptable daily intake (ADI, 0.02mg/kg). A novel method for the determination of pirimicarb metabolites in human urine by liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry detection has been developed and validated. It has been used to quantify the elimination kinetics of 2-(dimethylamino)-5,6-dimethylpyrimidin-4-ol (DDHP) and 5,6-dimethyl-2-(methylamino)pyrimidin-4-ol (MDHP) in five volunteers given a single oral dose of pirimicarb at the ADI (0.02mg/kg). MDHP was found to be the major urinary metabolite. However, significant levels of conjugated MDHP and DDHP were released upon hydrolysis. Total MDHP and DDHP recovered over 48h accounted for 74% (range 32-123%) of the administered dose. Both free and conjugated metabolites exhibited similar excretion profiles, characterised by fairly short elimination half-lives (2.8-4.6h). Urinary excretion of MDHP and DDHP was almost complete within 24h. MDHP (either free or total) exhibited the least variability between volunteers. No clinically significant depressions in blood cholinesterases were detected during the dosing study. MDHP is recommended as a sensitive and specific biomarker for pirimicarb exposure, suitable for use in dietary or occupational surveys. We calculate that a 70kg person receiving a dose of pirimicarb at the ADI would be expected to have a 24h sample level of 111-157micromol/mol creatinine total MDHP or 56-95micromol/mol creatinine free MDHP (95% confidence interval).

Determination of ethylenethiourea in urine by liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation-mass spectrometry for monitoring background levels in the general population.

This study reports a sensitive analytical method suitable for the quantitative analysis of ethylenethiourea (ETU) in human urine and its application to samples from the general population. Sample preparation involved the use of diatomaceous earth extraction columns to remove matrix interferences. Quantification was achieved by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry using positive ion atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation. Within-day and between-day variability of 14% (n=10) and 11% (n=6), respectively, were obtained at 98 nmol/l (10 µg l(-1)). The assay was linear over the investigated range 2.5-245 nmol/l, with a limit of detection of 2.5 nmol/l. The method was applied to monitoring background levels of ETU in urine samples from the general population in the UK. Results obtained from 361 spot samples contained ETU levels ranging from less than the detection limit (54% of samples) to a maximum of 15.8 µmol/mol creatinine (14.3 µg/g creatinine). The 95th percentile was 5.7 µmol/mol creatinine (5.2 µg/g creatinine).

Optimization of the antitumor activity of sequence-specific pyrrolobenzodiazepine derivatives based on their affinity for ABC transporters.

Pyrrolobenzodiazepine (PBD) derivatives are highly potent sequence-specific DNA cross-linking agents. The present study aimed to identify key physicochemical properties influencing the interaction of a series of PBDs (four dimers and 12 monomers) with the three major human ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters (P-gp, ABCG2, and MRP1). Isogenic cell lines expressing P-gp and ABCG2, cell lines with acquired resistance to cytotoxic agents due to the high expression of ABC transporters, and specific inhibitors against P-gp, ABCG2, and MRP1 were used. P-gp and ABCG2 decreased the permeability of the PBD dimers across cell membranes and their interaction with DNA, reducing DNA damage and the overall cytotoxic effect. PBD monomer SG-2823 formed a conjugate with glutathione and interacted with MRP1, reducing its cytotoxic effect in A549 cells. Structure-activity relationship revealed that the interaction of PBDs with the transporters could be predicted considering the molecular weight, the lipophilicity, the number of (N + O) atoms and aromatic rings, the polar surface area, the hydrogen bonding energy, and electrophilic centers. A rational design of novel PBDs with increased potency and reduced interaction with the ABC transporters is proposed.

Application of programmable temperature vaporisation injection with resistive heating-gas chromatography flame photometric detection for the determination of organophosphorus pesticides.

The combination of a programmable temperature vaporisation (PTV) injector with resistive heating GC (RH-GC), a form of fast GC, has been applied to the analysis of organophosphorus (OP) pesticides. The PTV injector was optimised in the 'at-once' solvent vent mode for the injection of ethyl acetate (10-40 microL) or ACN (10 microL). The short RH-GC column (5 m x 0.25 mm ID) with fast temperature ramps (up to 153 degrees C/ min) allowed the separation of a total of 20 OP pesticides in less than 6 min. Average recoveries between 67 and 119% were obtained for pesticides spiked at 0.01 mg/kg into apple and pear matrix. Extraction of orange juice with ACN provided higher recoveries (92-104%) for methamidophos, acephate and omethoate compared to ethyl acetate (62-73%). Results for analysis of OP pesticides in samples containing incurred residues were in good agreement with those obtained using GC-MS. The overall method was rapid, allowing 20 samples to be analysed in 4 h.

Analysis of pesticide residues in lettuce by large volume-difficult matrix introduction-gas chromatography-time of flight-mass spectrometry (LV-DMI-GC-TOF-MS).

A multi-residue method is described that eliminates the need for a clean-up step and thus allows the rapid determination of pesticides in crude extracts of lettuce. Samples were extracted with a mixture of ethyl acetate, Na2SO4 and NaHCO3 and the crude extracts analysed directly using large volume-difficult matrix introduction (LV-DMI) in combination with gas chromatography-time of flight-mass spectrometry (GC-TOF-MS). The LV-DMI procedure described was evaluated for the analysis of dimethoate, pyrimethanil, chlorothalonil, vinclozolin, furalaxyl and oxadixyl. Satisfactory response was obtained at the lowest calibrated level (LCL) of 0.0025 microg ml(-1), with good linearity over the range 0.0025-0.5 microg ml(-1) (0.005-1.0 mg kg(-1) equivalent). Average recoveries between 73 and 118% were obtained at the 0.01-0.5 mg kg(-1) levels with RSD values < or = 13%.