Carcinogenic nickel silences gene expression by chromatin condensation and DNA methylation: a new model for epigenetic carcinogens.

A transgenic gpt+ Chinese hamster cell line (G12) was found to be susceptible to carcinogenic nickel-induced inactivation of gpt expression without mutagenesis or deletion of the transgene. Many nickel-induced 6-thioguanine-resistant variants spontaneously reverted to actively express gpt, as indicated by both reversion assays and direct enzyme measurements. Since reversion was enhanced in many of the nickel-induced variant cell lines following 24-h treatment with the demethylating agent 5-azacytidine, the involvement of DNA methylation in silencing gpt expression was suspected. This was confirmed by demonstrations of increased DNA methylation, as well as by evidence indicating condensed chromatin and heterochromatinization of the gpt integration site in 6-thioguanine-resistant cells. Upon reversion to active gpt expression, DNA methylation and condensation are lost. We propose that DNA condensation and methylation result in heterochromatinization of the gpt sequence with subsequent inheritance of the now silenced gene. This mechanism is supported by direct evidence showing that acute nickel treatment of cultured cells, and of isolated nuclei in vitro, can indeed facilitate gpt sequence-specific chromatin condensation. Epigenetic mechanisms have been implicated in the actions of some nonmutagenic carcinogens, and DNA methylation changes are now known to be important in carcinogenesis. This paper further supports the emerging theory that nickel is a human carcinogen that can alter gene expression by enhanced DNA methylation and compaction, rather than by mutagenic mechanisms.

DNA-protein cross-links in welders: molecular implications.

A new method for detecting DNA-protein cross-links involving selective precipitation of DNA containing cross-linked proteins by K(+)-sodium dodecyl sulfate was utilized in the peripheral WBC of 21 male metal arc welders and in 26 male controls of similar age and racial characteristics who were not exposed to welding fumes. DNA was quantitated by Hoechst fluorescence. Although the concentration of nickel and chromium in the peripheral blood did not differ between subjects in the two groups, one-fourth of the welders had levels of DNA-protein cross-links that were above the upper limit of the controls. Mean cross-link values were 1.85 +/- 1.14% (SD) among the welders and 1.17 +/- 0.46% among the controls, a 58% statistically significant difference (P = 0.01). Thus, many welders appeared to be burdened with an excess of DNA-protein cross-links, suggesting exposure to cross-linking agents and, possibly, a detectable biological effect of potential genotoxic consequences.

Complexing of amino acids to DNA by chromate in intact cells.

Using o-pthaldialdehyde (OPT) fluorescence, the amino acids associated with DNA were studied following exposure of intact Chinese hamster ovary cells to chromate. Rigorous extraction with EDTA, acid, or base was required to release the amino acids cross-linked to the DNA isolated from control or chromate-treated cells by standard procedures (i.e., proteinase K, phenol, etc.). Amino acids resisting extraction from DNA were not studied since analysis was limited to those that could be released by these procedures. There was a chromate dose-dependent increase in amino acids complexed with the DNA that could be released by EDTA, acid, and base, and these amino acids were separated by HPLC and identified. Substantial increases in cysteine, glutamine, glutamic acid, histidine, threonine, and tyrosine were found as a function of increasing concentrations of chromate. There was also a time-dependent increase in complexing of these amino acids to the DNA by chromate. The amino acids found complexed to DNA in intact cells by chromate were thought to originate from reactions of free amino acids or small peptides with the DNA rather than being proteolytic products derived from larger proteins that were cross-linked to the DNA. This was supported by a number of experiments: a) free amino acids or bovine serum albumin (BSA) were cross-linked by chromium to DNA in vitro and the DNA was isolated by standard procedures.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Utilization of DNA-protein cross-links as a biomarker of chromium exposure.

Human exposure to carcinogenic Cr(VI) compounds is found among workers in a large number of professional groups, and it can also occur through environmental pollution. A significant number of toxic waste sites contain Cr as a major contaminant. In this paper we summarize our efforts to apply measurements of DNA-protein cross-links (DPC) as test for biologically active doses of Cr(VI). DPC were found at elevated levels in lymphocytes in several human populations with low to medium Cr exposures. At high exposure to Cr(VI), exemplified by a group of Bulgarian chromeplaters, DPC plateaued and adducts' levels were similar to those found in environmentally exposed individuals. Lymphocytic DPC correlated strongly with Cr levels in erythrocytes that are indicative of Cr(VI) exposure. DPC in lymphocytes were not confounded by such variables as smoking, age, body weight, gender, or ethnicity. A new version of the cross-link assay offers improved sensitivity and requires a small amount of biologic material. Preliminary results indicate that the ability of DPC to reach detectable levels at low levels of Cr exposure could be related to a lack of repair of these lesions in lymphoid cells. Cr(III)-mediated cross-links of DNA with peptide glutathione or single amino acids were mutagenic in human cells, with a relationship of higher molecular weight of the peptide/amino acid correlating with a more potent mutagenic response. We speculate that bulky DPC could also have a significant promutagenic effect. The current methodology does not allow specific determination of Cr-induced DPC; however, demonstrated sensitivity of DPC measurements and the assay's large sample capacity may allow this assay to be used as the initial screening test for the occurrence of DNA damage in Cr(VI)-exposed populations.

Monitoring human lymphocytic DNA-protein cross-links as biomarkers of biologically active doses of chromate.

A simple and sensitive assay for DNA-protein cross-links has been used as a biomarker of chromate exposure and early carcinogenic effects. Pilot studies of DNA-protein cross-links in peripheral blood lymphocytes have been conducted with individuals who had higher exposure to chromate, including welders, and with individuals who had lower levels of exposure such as residents living in a chromium-contaminated area in Jersey City, New Jersey. Studies were also conducted in two Bulgarian cities (Jambol and Burgas) with different levels of air pollution and Cr(VI) exposure and in chrome platers in Bulgaria who had high exposure to chromate. DNA-protein cross-links in U.S. welders and in individuals living in Hudson County, New Jersey around chromium-contaminated areas were significantly higher compared to matched controls. Although blood and urinary levels of chromium were not extensively studied in these populations, we were able to obtain these measurements in the Bulgarian population. Chromium levels in red blood cells of controls living in Burgas were in the order of 1 to 2 ppb chromium, and these individuals had the lowest levels of DNA-protein cross-links. However, the chromium levels in Jambol ranged from about 2 to 7 ppb in red blood cells of city residents to about 22 ppb in chrome platers. DNA-protein cross-links were saturated at about 7 to 8 ppb chromium in the red blood cells, and cross-links correlated well only with chromium levels in red blood cells. Urinary chromium levels did not correlate well with either DNA-protein cross-links or chromium levels in with red blood cells.

Application of reliability models to studies of biomarker validation.

We present a model of biomarker validation developed in our laboratory, the results of the validation study, and the impact of the estimation of the variance components on the design of future molecular epidemiologic studies. Four different biomarkers of exposure are illustrated: DNA-protein cross-link (DNA-PC), DNA-amino acid cross link (DNA-AA), metallothionein gene expression (MT), and autoantibodies to oxidized DNA bases (DNAox). The general scheme for the validation experiments involves n subjects measured on k occasions, with j replicate samples analyzed on each occasion. Multiple subjects, occasions, and replicates provide information on intersubject, intrasubject, and analytical measurement variability, respectively. The analysis of variance showed a significant effect of batch variability for DNA-PC and MT gene expression, whereas DNAox showed a significant between-subject variability. Among the amino acids tested, cysteine and methionine showed a significant contribution of both batch and between-subject variability, threonine showed between-subject variability only, and tyrosine showed between-batch and between-subject variability. The total variance estimated through the experiment was used to calculate the minimum sample size required for a future epidemiologic study including the same biomarkers used for the reliability study. Such validation studies can detect the various components of variability of a biomarker and indicate needed improvements of the assay, along with possible use in field studies.

DNA-protein crosslinks as a biomarker of cis-platinum activity in cancer patients.

We have developed a new method to assess the amount of DNA-protein crosslinks (DNA-PC) in peripheral lymphocytes, based on the selective precipitation of the DNA crosslinked to proteins. We assessed the amount of DNA-PC in peripheral lymphocytes of 18 cancer patients who underwent chemotherapy with cis-platinum for the first time. Since the chemotherapy was administered over a two-day period, blood samples were drawn at baseline (before starting the therapy), 4 h after the infusion of the first dose of cis-platinum, the next day (24 h after the first dose, and immediately before the infusion of the second dose), and 2 days later (48 h after the first dose). The mean change of DNA-PC 4 h after therapy was 0.8+/-0.8% (p=0.006), 0.5+/-0.6% after 1 day (p=0.007), and 0.1+/-0.5% after two days (ns). The correlation between DNA-PC changes and cumulative dose of cis-platinum was -0.22 at 4 h, -0.19 after 1 day, and -0.68 at 2 days (p=0.005). The crosslinking effect of cis-platinum seems to vary among individuals and with dose; the DNA-PC may be used to define sub-populations of patients with various degree of sensitivity to the pharmacologic action of this chemotherapeutic agent, and thus to adjust the dosage on an individual basis.

Analysis of DNA-protein crosslinking activity of malondialdehyde in vitro.

In an attempt to identify endogenous chemicals producing DNA-protein crosslinks, we have studied in vitro crosslinking potential of malondialdehyde, a bifunctional chemical that is ubiquitously formed as a product of lipid peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids. We have found that malondialdehyde readily forms crosslinks between DNA and histones under physiological ionic and pH conditions. Formation of DNA-protein crosslinks was limited to proteins that were able to bind to DNA. Malondialdehyde failed to form DNA-protein crosslinks when histone binding to DNA was prevented by elevated ionic strength or when bovine serum albumin was used in the reaction mixture. Malondialdehyde-produced DNA-histone crosslinks were relatively stable at 37 degrees C with t1/2=13.4 days. Crosslinking of histones to DNA proceeds through the initial formation of protein adduct followed by reaction with DNA. Modification of DNA by malondialdehyde does not lead to a subsequent crosslinking of proteins. Significant formation of DNA-protein crosslinks was also registered in isolated kidney and liver nuclei treated with malondialdehyde. Based on its reactivity and stability of the resulting crosslinks, it is suggested that malondialdehyde could be one of the significant sources of endogenous DNA-protein crosslinks.

Interlaboratory validation of a new assay for DNA-protein crosslinks.

In 1992, a simple and sensitive assay for detecting DNA-protein crosslinks was developed [1]. In an effort to facilitate the greater use of the assay, a number of studies were conducted to evaluate its reliability and reproducibility. During this work, the assay was used to assess whether various metals and other compounds could induce crosslinks in cultured human lymphocytes (Epstein-Barr virus-transformed Burkitt's Lymphoma cell line). Potassium permanganate, mercury chloride, lead nitrate, magnesium perchlorate, aluminum chloride, and cadmium chloride did not induce DNA-protein crosslinks at either cytotoxic or non-cytotoxic levels. Copper sulfate, arsenic trioxide, and potassium chromate induced DNA-protein crosslinks only at cytotoxic concentrations. Acute lethality of the cells was assessed immediately after exposure to metals by trypan blue exclusion while long-term lethality was assessed by cell proliferation and trypan blue exclusion following an incubation period of 5 days after exposure to the metal compound. All metals exhibited more toxicity in the long-term lethality assay compared to the short-term assay. The cultured human lymphocytes treated with various doses of lead acetate, cadmium chloride, arsenic trioxide and copper sulfate, as well as cis-platinum and chromate, were sent to four different laboratories to compare the reliability and reproducibility of the DNA-protein crosslink assay. Depending on the chemical studied, there were quantitative differences in the results observed among the various laboratories using the assay. However, all laboratories generally showed that cis-platinum, chromate, arsenic trioxide and copper sulfate induced DNA-protein crosslinks at levels that produced acute cytotoxicity, whereas cadmium chloride and lead acetate did not.

Rats retain chromium in tissues following chronic ingestion of drinking water containing hexavalent chromium.

Humans have sometimes been exposed to as much as 10 ppm Cr(VI) in drinking water from contaminated wells. The risks to these individuals are not well understood because the digestive tract reduces some of the Cr(VI) to the less bioavailable Cr(III) prior to absorption, and the disposition of the remaining Cr(VI) has not been well studied. We determined tissue Cr concentrations in rats after chronic ingestion of Cr(VI) in drinking water at concentrations relevant to human exposure levels. Adult male and female Fischer 344 rats consumed ad libitum 0, 0.5, 3, or 10 ppm Cr(VI) as K2CrO4 in drinking water for 44 wk. Rats then were given deionized water 4-6 d prior to sample collection. Females given 3 or 10 ppm Cr(VI) consumed more Cr(VI) per unit of body weight than did males. Bone Cr concentrations were significantly elevated in rats that drank 10 ppm Cr(VI). Renal Cr concentrations were significantly elevated in male rats that drank 3 or 10 ppm Cr(VI) and in female rats dosed with 10 ppm Cr(VI). Female rats had elevated liver Cr concentrations after drinking 3 or 10 ppm Cr(VI). Testicular Cr concentrations were slightly elevated in rats that drank 10 ppm Cr(VI). Brain, ovarian, and whole-blood Cr concentrations were below detection limits in all exposure groups. Although tissue Cr accumulation may have resulted from absorption of Cr(III), it is poorly absorbed. Therefore, the increased tissue retention may also have resulted, in part, from increased absorption of Cr(VI) and its subsequent uptake from the systemic circulation.

Increased DNA-protein crosslinks in lymphocytes of residents living in chromium-contaminated areas.

It has been known for a number of years that chromium-containing mine slags were used as landfill in residential areas of Hudson County, New Jersey. Since one of the major lesions induced in intact cells by chromate is the DNA-Protein crosslink, we have used this lesion as a biomarker of biological effect of chromium (Cr) exposure. We have previously developed a sensitive and easy-to-perform assay to detect DNA-Protein crosslinks, based on the selective K SDS precipitation of DNA associated with protein. We examined the levels of DNA-Protein crosslinks in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 33 individuals determined to be at risk for chromium exposure by virtue of their residence in Hudson County and their urinary Cr levels. These data were compared to the levels of DNA-Protein crosslinks among 49 controls who resided in noncontaminated areas. A complete clinical examination and urine analysis did not show any Cr-related abnormalities among the exposed population. The mean DNA-Protein crosslink level in the lymphocytes of the exposed group was 1.3 +/- 0.5% (SD), whereas the unexposed group had 0.8 +/- 0.4% (p < 0.001), after adjustment for age, gender, race, smoking, and weight. Further studies in this population are needed to confirm the possible association between the high levels of DNA-Protein crosslink and Cr exposure.

[The participation of endonuclease in the formation of extrachromosomal DNA and the possible mechanisms of the occurrence of gene amplification]. / Uchastie éndonukleazy v orbazovanii ékstrakhromosomnoi DNK i vozmozhnye mekhanizmy vozniknoveniia amplifikatsii genov.

We examined the extrachromosomal DNA (exDNA, Hirt fraction) in ethidium bromide sensitive and resistant cells of line L929. The exDNA amount is greater in the latter. The amount of exDNA in L929 cells makes 0.19% of the total cellular DNA; the exDNA amounts in cells, resistant to 5 and 50 micrograms/ml ethidium bromide are 0.22 and 0.33%, resp. Using labelling by BudR, it is shown that approximately 16% exDNA in L cells constituted amplified sequences to be excreting to the culture medium. The Zn-independent endogenous nuclease is activated in the resistant cells. The treatment with cycloheximide (50 micrograms/ml) resulted in the increase in the exDNA amount and in the activation of Zn-independent endonuclease. The data obtained suggested that the activation of Zn-independent endonuclease may lead to the increase in the exDNA amount and determine presumably a high rate of cell adaptability to environmental conditions.

[The mechanisms of the realization of the effect of glucocorticoids in aging]. / Mekhanizmy realizatsii éffekta gliukokortikoidov pri starenii.

The interaction of glycocorticoids with serum transport proteins, plasma membranes and rat liver cytoplasmic receptors progressively declines during ontogenesis, reaching its minimum at 24 months of age. Glycocorticoid receptor complexes (GRCs) binding to the rat liver nuclei and their residual fractions as well as the glycocorticoid-induced initiation of RNA-synthesis also decrease with age. The GRCs are shown to be capable of association with nuclear envelope, nuclear matrix and RNA-containing nuclear fraction isolated from the rat liver. The intracellular glycocorticoid receptor recycling requires fresh synthesis of the RNA and protein.

[Stability of DNA-protein complexes in cell nuclei of the rat liver during aging]. / Prochnost' sviazei v DNK-belkovykh kompleksakh iader kletok pecheni krys pri starenii.

Elevation in tightness of bonds between newly synthesized DNA and nuclear matrix proteins was increased in rat liver cells in ageing as shown by means of nucleoproteidecelite chromatography. With ageing content of loosely bound non-histone proteins was decreased in chromatin, tightly bound proteins were increased, while residual proteins remained unchanged. At the same time, elevated level of lamin B and alterations in content of some other polypeptides were found in the fraction of residual proteins of chromatin in aged animals. The phenomenon observed i.e. elevation of tightly bound DNA-protein complexes, enabled to suggest that alterations in composition of chromatin residual proteins were responsible for an increase in the rate of association in DNP complexes in ageing but not the accumulation of cross-links in the complex structure components.

A simple, sensitive assay to detect DNA-protein crosslinks in intact cells and in vivo.

Addition of potassium chloride to sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) resulted in the formation of an insoluble precipitate that was easily recovered by low-speed centrifugation. Since SDS tightly binds to proteins but not DNA, all proteins and detergent-resistant DNA--protein complexes were also effectively co-precipitated in the presence of potassium--SDS leaving free DNA in the supernatant. The amount of SDS-precipitable DNA represented a measure of DNA--protein crosslinks. We have adapted this method for determining DNA--protein crosslinks formed in cells following their exposure in culture or in vivo to crosslinking agents such as chromate, cis-Pt(II) diammine dichloride and formaldehyde. The critical parameters for application of the K--SDS assay to cells were rigorously reproducible shearing of chromosomal DNA and effective washing steps. We have found that freeze-thawing SDS lysed cells followed by vortexing and repeated resuspensions of the precipitate by pipeting resulted in a low background and high reproducibility of the assay. The method detected in a dose-dependent manner DNA--protein crosslinks induced in CHO cells by chromate, cis-platinum and formaldehyde, with sensitivity similar to the alkaline elution procedure. The K--SDS assay was also successfully utilized to determine DNA--protein crosslinks in rat and mouse white blood cells exposed in vivo to chromate. Its sensitivity and simplicity in sample handling and DNA--protein complex isolation potential allows wide application of the assay to measure formation of DNA--protein crosslinks. The ease of recovery of DNA--protein complexes allows for a more thorough investigation of this lesion.

Loss of DNA-protein crosslinks from formaldehyde-exposed cells occurs through spontaneous hydrolysis and an active repair process linked to proteosome function.

DNA-protein crosslinks (DPC) involving all major histones are the dominant form of DNA damage in formaldehyde-exposed cells. In order to understand the repair mechanisms for these lesions we conducted detailed analysis of the stability of formaldehyde-induced DPC in vitro and in human cells. DNA-histone linkages were found to be hydrolytically unstable, with t(1/2) = 18.3 h at 37 degrees C. When histones were allowed to remain bound to DNA after crosslink breakage, the half-life of DPC increased to 26.3 h. This suggests that approximately 30% of spontaneously broken DPC could be re-established under physiological conditions. The half-lives of DPC in three human cell lines (HF/SV fibroblasts, kidney Ad293 and lung A549 cells) were similar and averaged 12.5 h (range 11.6-13.0 h). After adjustment for spontaneous loss, an active repair process was calculated to eliminate DPC from these cells with an average t(1/2) = 23.3 h. Removal of DPC from peripheral human lymphocytes was slower (t(1/2) = 18.1 h), due to inefficient active repair (t(1/2) = 66.6 h). This indicates that the major portion of DPC is lost from lymphocytes through spontaneous hydrolysis rather than being actively repaired. Depletion of intracellular glutathione from A549 cells had no significant effect on the initial levels of DPC, the rate of their repair or cell survival. Nucleotide excision repair does not appear to be involved in the removal of DPC, since the kinetics of DPC elimination in XP-A and XP-F fibroblasts were very similar to normal cells. Incubation of normal or XP-A cells with lactacystin, a specific inhibitor of proteosomes, caused inhibition of DPC repair, suggesting that the active removal of DPC in cells may involve proteolytic degradation of crosslinked proteins. XP-F cells showed somewhat higher sensitivity to formaldehyde, possibly signaling participation of XPF protein in the removal of residual peptide-DNA adducts.

Development and utilization of a new simple assay for DNA-protein crosslinks as a biomarker of exposure to welding fumes.

A new method for DNA-protein crosslinks involving selective precipitation of DNA containing crosslinked proteins by K+ sodium dodecyl sulfate was utilized in the peripheral white blood cells of 21 male metal arc welders and in 26 male controls of similar age and racial characteristics who were not exposed to welding fumes. DNA was quantitated by Hoescht fluorescence. Although the concentration of nickel and chromium in the peripheral blood was low and did not differ between subjects in the two groups, one-fourth of the welders had levels of DNA-protein crosslinks that were above the upper limit of the controls. Mean crosslink values were 1.85% (+/- 1.14) among the welders and 1.17% (+/- 0.46) among the controls, a 58%, statistically significant difference (P = 0.01). Thus, many welders appeared to be burdened with an excess of DNA-protein crosslinks suggesting exposure to crosslinking agents and, possibly, a detectable biologic effect of potential genotoxic consequences.

Glutathione and free amino acids form stable complexes with DNA following exposure of intact mammalian cells to chromate.

Exposure of cells to carcinogenic Cr(VI) compounds results in the formation of several types of DNA lesions such as strand breaks, DNA-protein crosslinks and uncharacterized DNA-Cr adducts. Hexavalent chromium compounds are positive in most bacterial and eukaryotic mutagenic systems, although the nature of DNA modifications underlying the chromium-induced mutagenesis is not known. Hexavalent chromate(VI) is very active in cellular systems because it is actively transported into cells, but intracellularly it is ultimately reduced to Cr(III). Here we show that exposure of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells to potassium chromate(VI) leads to the formation of stable complexes between DNA and amino acids or glutathione. Cysteine, glutamic acid and histidine were the major amino acids crosslinked to DNA in chromate-treated cells. Incubation of purified DNA in the presence of EDTA dissociated SDS stable amino acid-DNA complexes, which indicates that these DNA adducts are most likely to represent ternary coordination complexes mediated by Cr(III) rather than covalent linkage between amino acids/glutathione and DNA. The amino acids that were found complexed with DNA purified from chromate-exposed cells did not orginate from previously crosslinked proteins during DNA isolation, but represented authentic reactions of free amino acids and glutathione with chromium and DNA in cells. Ternary complexes of glutathione or amino acids with Cr(III) and DNA were estimated to account for as much as 50% of DNA-bound chromium following exposure to < or = 25 microM chromate.

Cr(III)-mediated crosslinks of glutathione or amino acids to the DNA phosphate backbone are mutagenic in human cells.

Carcinogenic Cr(VI) compounds were previously found to induce amino acid/glutathione-Cr(III)-DNA crosslinks with the site of adduction on the phosphate backbone. Utilizing the pSP189 shuttle vector plasmid we found that these ternary DNA adducts were mutagenic in human fibroblasts. The Cr(III)-glutathione adduct was the most potent in this assay, followed by Cr(III)-His and Cr(III)-Cys adducts. Binary Cr(III)-DNA complexes were only weakly mutagenic, inducing a significant response only at a 10 times higher number of adducts compared with Cr(III)-glutathione. Single base substitutions at the G:C base pairs were the predominant type of mutations for all Cr(III) adducts. Cr(III), Cr(III)-Cys and Cr(III)-His adducts induced G:C-->A:T transitions and G:C-->T:A transversions with almost equal frequency, whereas the Cr(III)-glutathione mutational spectrum was dominated by G:C-->T:A transversions. Adduct-induced mutations were targeted toward G:C base pairs with either A or G in the 3' position to the mutated G, while spontaneous mutations occurred mostly at G:C base pairs with a 3' A. No correlation was found between the sites of DNA adduction and positions of base substitution, as adducts were formed randomly on DNA with no base specificity. The observed mutagenicity of Cr(III)-induced phosphotriesters demonstrates the importance of a Cr(III)-dependent pathway in Cr(VI) carcinogenicity.