Obacunone protects retinal pigment epithelium cells from ultra-violet radiation-induced oxidative injury.

Ultra-violet (UV) radiation (UVR) causes significant oxidative injury to retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. Obacunone is a highly oxygenated triterpenoid limonoid compound with various pharmacological properties. Its potential effect in RPE cells has not been studied thus far. Here in ARPE-19 cells and primary murine RPE cells, obacunone potently inhibited UVR-induced reactive oxygen species accumulation, mitochondrial depolarization, lipid peroxidation and single strand DNA accumulation. UVR-induced RPE cell death and apoptosis were largely alleviated by obacunone. Obacunone activated Nrf2 signaling cascade in RPE cells, causing Keap1-Nrf2 disassociation, Nrf2 protein stabilization and nuclear translocation. It promoted transcription and expression of antioxidant responsive element-dependent genes. Nrf2 silencing or CRISPR/Cas9-induced Nrf2 knockout almost reversed obacunone-induced RPE cytoprotection against UVR. Forced activation of Nrf2 cascade, by Keap1 knockout, similarly protected RPE cells from UVR. Importantly, obacunone failed to offer further RPE cytoprotection against UVR in Keap1-knockout cells. In vivo, intravitreal injection of obacunone largely inhibited light-induced retinal damage. Collectively, obacunone protects RPE cells from UVR-induced oxidative injury through activation of Nrf2 signaling cascade.

Potentially bioactive organotin(IV) compounds: synthesis, characterization, in vitro bioactivities and interaction with SS-DNA.

Fourteen new organotin(IV) complexes with general formula R2SnL2 or R3SnL where R = CH3, C2H5, C4H9, C6H5, C6H11, CH2-C6H5, C(CH3)3, C8H17 and L = N-[(2-methoxyphenyl)]-4-oxo-4-[oxy]butanamide were synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, FT-IR, NMR ((1)H, (13)C and (119)Sn), mass spectrometry and single crystal X-ray structural analysis. Crystallographic data for four triorganotin(IV) complexes (R3SnL, R = CH3, C2H5, C4H9, CH2-C6H5) showed the tin has approximate trigonal bipyramidal geometry with the R groups in the trigonal plane. The carboxylate groups of ligands L bridge adjacent tin atoms, resulting in polymeric chains. In case of the diorganotin(IV) derivatives a six-coordinate geometry at the tin atom is proposed from spectroscopic evidence. The Me-Sn-Me bond angle in complex 7 was determined from the (2)J[(119)Sn-(1)H] value as 166.3° that falls in the range of six-coordinate geometry. The ligand and its complexes (1-14) were screened for their antimicrobial, antitumor, cytotoxic and antileishmanial activities and found to be biologically active. The ligand and its complexes bind to DNA via intercalative interactions resulting in hypochromism and minor bathochromic shifts as confirmed by UV-visible spectroscopy. Based on in vitro studies such as the potato disc method, the synthesized compounds were found to possess significant antitumor activity. Also, from cytotoxicity and DNA interaction studies, these compounds can also be used for the prevention and treatment of cancer. Gel electrophoresis assay was used to investigate the damage to double stranded super coiled plasmid pBR322 DNA by the synthesized compounds and compounds 1 and 7 were found to cause the maximum damage. All the synthesized compounds exhibit strong antileishmanial activity that was even higher than that of Amphotericin B, with significant cytotoxicity. This study, therefore, demonstrated the potential use of these compounds as source of novel agents for the treatment of leishmaniasis.

Conformation-dependent DNA damage induced by gold nanoparticles.

The sensitivity of two conformations of plasmid DNA, the A and B forms, to strand break formation induced by gold nanoparticles (GNPs) is investigated by varying the GNP to DNA ratio in solution and the degree of DNA hydration. Decreasing DNA hydration via lyophilisation or by replacement of water with ethanol in solution modifies its conformation from the B to the A form. The yields of single strand breaks (SSB) are found to be highly dependent on the amount of DNA in the A configuration. The damage also increases with the amount of GNPs bound to DNA. At a ratio of two GNPs for one plasmid in an 80%-ethanol, 20%-water solution, 50% of the initial supercoiled population is converted to SSB. Thus, close contact with GNPs causes extensive damage to DNA in the A form. Since during transcription the DNA-RNA duplexes adopt an A form, GNPs could be genotoxic. Our results suggest that GNPs may have potential as chemotherapeutic agents if conjugated to nuclear targeting ligands. Considering their additional radiotherapeutic properties, targeted GNPs could also become highly effective in the treatment of cancer with concomitant chemoradiation therapy.

Acalypha wilkesiana extracts induce apoptosis by causing single strand and double strand DNA breaks.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The seeds of Acalypha wilkesiana have been used empirically by traditional healers in Southwest Nigeria together with other plants as a powder mixture to treat patients with breast tumours and inflammation. AIM OF THE STUDY: There is an increasing interest among researchers in searching for new anticancer drugs from natural resources, particularly plants. This study aimed to investigate the anticancer properties of Acalypha wilkesiana extracts and the characteristics of DNA damage against brain and lung cancer cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The antiproliferative activity of Acalypha wilkesiana extracts (ethyl acetate, hexane, and ethanol) was examined on human glioma (U87MG), human lung carcinoma (A549), and human lung fibroblast (MRC5) cells. RESULTS: Cell viability MTT assay revealed that ethyl acetate extract of the plant possessed significant antiproliferative effects against both U87MG (GI(50)=28.03 ± 6.44 µg/ml) and A549 (GI(50)=89.63 ± 2.12 µg/ml) cells (p value<0.0001). The hexane extract was found to exhibit crucial antiproliferative effects on U87MG (GI(50)=166.30 ± 30.50 µg/ml) (p value<0.0001) but not on A549 cells. Neither plant extract possessed noticeable antiproliferative effects on the non-cancerous MRC5 cells (GI(50)>300 µg/ml). The ethanol extract showed no antiproliferative effects on any cell line examined. Haematoxylin & Eosin (H & E) staining and single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) comet assay confirmed that plant extract-treated cells underwent apoptosis and not necrosis. SCGE comet assays confirmed that plant extracts caused both single strand (SSB) and double strand (DSB) DNA breaks that led to the execution of apoptosis. CONCLUSION: The extracts (especially ethyl acetate and hexane) of Acalypha wilkesiana possess valuable cytotoxic effects that trigger apoptosis in U87MG and A549 cancer cells through induction of DNA SSBs and DSBs.

Camptothecin induces DNA strand breaks and is cytotoxic in stimulated normal lymphocytes.

Camptothecin (CPT), a topoisomerase I inhibitor, forms a cleavable complex with topoisomerase I and single-stranded DNA. When this complex meets a replication fork, the collision generates irreversible double-strand breaks, thereby inducing apoptosis. Based on the mechanism of action, we hypothesized that cycling cells would be more sensitive to CPT than non-cycling cells and that cells stimulated to undergo DNA synthesis would be sensitized to CPT. The study focused on the association between CPT-induced DNA strand breaks and apoptotic cell death, because the induction of DNA strand breaks is indispensable for cytotoxicity. We used the Comet assay to quantitate DNA strand breaks and Annexin V positivity to determine the level of cytotoxicity. Normal lymphocytes were used as a model for quiescent cells. First, the cultured leukemic cell line CCRF-CEM was treated with CPT. CEM cells were sensitive to CPT, and the amount of CPT-induced DNA strand breaks was concentration- and time-dependent. The increase in DNA strand breaks appeared to be correlated to a subsequent increase in apoptosis. When normal lymphocytes were treated with CPT, DNA strand breaks quickly disappeared, and the subsequent induction of apoptosis was minimal. However, when normal lymphocytes were stimulated to undergo DNA synthesis, the lymphocytes were sensitized to CPT with increased DNA strand breaks and enhanced apoptosis. Again, the extent of DNA strand breaks was associated with the magnitude of cytotoxicity. Thus, CPT was cytotoxic to stimulated normal lymphocytes in the context of DNA synthesis.

Macleaya cordata extract and Sangrovit genotoxicity. Assessment in vivo.

BACKGROUND: Sanguinarine (SG) has been reported to form DNA adducts in vitro and increase the levels of DNA single strand breaks in the blood and bone marrow of mice treated intraperitoneally with SG. Recently, we showed no genotoxic effects of orally administrated 120 mg/kg feed Macleaya cordata extract (a mixture of sanguinarine and chelerythrine) in pigs or rats in 90-day studies. The goal of this paper was to assess the possible genotoxicity of M. cordata extract when included as a dietary admixture to rodents at concentrations providing 600 mg/kg feed and 100, 7000 or 14000 mg/kg feed Sangrovit (natural feed additive containing M. cordata extract and powdered M. cordata) in a 90-day pilot study. METHODS AND RESULTS: The rats consumed ad libitum either the standard diet or the diets containing 367 ppm of sanguinarine and chelerythrine in M. cordata extract, and 5, 330, or 660 ppm of total alkaloids in Sangrovit for 90 days. The DNA adducts formation in liver was analyzed by (32)P-postlabeling technique and DNA single strand breaks in lymphocytes were evaluated by Comet assay. The results showed that M. cordata extract and/or Sangrovit induced no DNA damage to rat lymphocytes or hepatocytes after 90-days oral administration. CONCLUSIONS: Data from the studies described in this paper and the fact that Sangrovit given to the rats in our experiments were higher than the recommended dose (50 to 100 mg/kg feed), argue strongly in favour of the use of Sangrovit in live stock.

Genotoxic effects of chromium(VI) and cadmium(II) in human blood lymphocytes using the electron microscopy in situ end-labeling (EM-ISEL) assay.

Evaluation of genotoxic effects of potassium chromate (K2CrO4) and cadmium chloride (CdCl2) was carried out in human blood lymphocytes in vitro as measured by the electron microscopy in situ end-labeling (EM-ISEL). EM-ISEL was used to assess DNA single-strand breaks (SSBs) expressed as number of immunogold particles per microm2 of chromatin at both chromosomal and nuclear DNA levels. Human lymphocytes were cultured in supplemented RPMI medium for 72 h including treatment for 2 h with K2CrO4 (0-150 microM), CdCl2 (0-150 microM) or methyl methanesulfonate (500 microM) as a positive control. Quantification of SSBs by EM-ISEL showed that both compounds are genotoxic agents at non-cytotoxic concentrations. This study brings new information on the utility of EM-ISEL for the evaluation of genotoxicity and confirms the genotoxic effects induced by chromium and cadmium.

Aqueous extracts of selenium-fertilized broccoli increase selenoprotein activity and inhibit DNA single-strand breaks, but decrease the activity of quinone reductase in Hepa 1c1c7 cells.

Depending on growth conditions, broccoli may be enriched in the isothiocyanate sulforaphane and/or the mineral selenium (Se); both compounds may play an important role in the reduction of intracellular oxidative stress and chronic disease prevention. Sulforaphane up-regulates transcription of Phase II detoxification proteins (e.g. quinone reductase [QR]), whereas Se is needed for the production of thioredoxin reductase (TR) and glutathione peroxidase-1 (GPx1), both of which exhibit antioxidant activity. The objective of the present study was to determine whether the fertilization of broccoli with Se increases the antioxidant ability of broccoli. Hydrogen peroxide-induced DNA single-strand breaks (measured by single cell electrophoresis, Comet assay) and activity of antioxidant enzymes (GPx, TR and QR) were measured in mouse hepatoma cells (Hepa 1c1c7 cells) treated with purified sulforaphane, sodium selenite or extracts of selenized broccoli. When supplied separately as chemically pure substances, sodium selenite was more effective than sulforaphane for reduction of single-strand breaks. Se-fertilized broccoli extracts were the most effective for reduction of DNA single-strand breaks, and extracts that contained 0.71 microM Se and 0.08 microM sulforaphane inhibited 94% of DNA single-strand breaks. A significant positive association (r = 0.81, p = 0.009) between GPx1 activity and inhibition of DNA single-strand breaks as well as a 24h lag time between addition of Se, sulforaphane or broccoli extract and inhibition of single-strand breaks suggests that some of the antioxidant protection is mediated through selenoproteins. Conversely, fertilization of broccoli with Se decreased the ability of broccoli extract to induce QR activity. These results demonstrate that Se and sulforaphane, alone or as a component of broccoli, may help decrease oxidative stress. They further suggest that Se is the most important for decreasing oxidative stress, but maximizing the Se content of broccoli also may compromise its ability to induce Phase II detoxification proteins.

Chilean propolis: antioxidant activity and antiproliferative action in human tumor cell lines.

Propolis, a natural product derived from plant resins collected by honeybees, has been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine all over the world. The composition of the propolis depends upon the vegetation of the area from where it was collected and on the bee species. In this study, we investigated the antioxidant activity of a propolis sample, provided by NATURANDES-CHILE, collected in a temperate region of central Chile. In addition, this natural compound was tested for its antiproliferative capacity on KB (human mouth epidermoid carcinoma cells), Caco-2 (colon adenocarcinoma cells) and DU-145 (androgen-insensitive prostate cancer cells) human tumor cell lines. Results showed that this Chilean propolis sample exhibits interesting biological properties, correlated with its chemical composition and expressed by its capacity to scavenge free radicals and to inhibit tumor cell growth.

Effects of supplementing a low-carotenoid diet with a tomato extract for 2 weeks on endogenous levels of DNA single strand breaks and immune functions in healthy non-smokers and smokers.

Increased consumption of tomato products is associated with a decreased risk of cancer. The present study was performed to investigate whether consumption of a tomato oleoresin extract for 2 weeks can affect endogenous levels of DNA single strand breaks in peripheral blood lymphocytes in healthy non-smokers and smokers. We also assessed, the effect of the tomato oleoresin extract on various immunological functions of peripheral blood mononuclear cells. A double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled study design was used. Over a period of 2 weeks 15 non-smokers and 12 smokers were given three tomato oleoresin extract capsules daily (each containing 4.88 mg lycopene, 0.48 mg phytoene, 0.44 mg phytofluene and 1.181 mg alpha-tocopherol). The control group received placebos. The baseline level of endogenous DNA damage for non-smokers was slightly (13%) and non-significantly (P = 0.44) lower than that of smokers. Placebo supplementation of non-smokers and smokers for 2 weeks did not significantly affect lycopene plasma levels or DNA damage in either group. Intervention with tomato oleoresin extract resulted in significant increases in total plasma lycopene and resulted in decreased levels of DNA strand breaks of approximately 32 (non-smokers) and 39% (smokers). However, this effect was not statistically significant in either group (P = 0.09 for non-smokers and P = 0.12 for smokers). Analysis of the distribution pattern of DNA strand breaks showed a statistically significant (P < 0.05) increase in the number of comets in class 0 (undamaged) and a decrease in classes 1 and 2 (damaged) after the tomato oleoresin extract intervention in non-smokers. The changes in the smoker group were not statistically significant. Treatment with the tomato extract had no effect on lymphocyte proliferation, NK cell activity, interleukin (IL)-2 production and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)alpha production, but it significantly reduced IL-4 production in smokers (P = 0.009).

Comparative studies of cadmium-induced single strand breaks in female and male rats and the ameliorative effect of selenium.

Cadmium (Cd2+) is an environmental pollutant. In humans and animals it has no known biological benefit, but rather has genotoxic and carcinogenic effects. Comparative studies of cadmium-induced DNA single strand breaks in kidney and liver cells of female and male Harlan Sprague-Dawley rats were conducted, and the role of selenium in mitigating cadmium toxicity in male and female rats was also evaluated. Analysis of the results showed differences in organ and sex susceptibility to cadmium-induced DNA damage. There were more single strand breaks in DNA from liver and kidney cells of male rats than in those of the females. Concurrent administration of selenium with cadmium significantly (P<0.001) reduced DNA damage in male rats more than in female rats. However, administration of selenium alone induced DNA strand breaks in female rats at a rate which was significantly greater (P<0.001) than in male rats. These findings demonstrate differences in sex susceptibility to cadmium, and some variance in the ameliorative effects of selenium in male and female rats.

Endogenous and exogenous nitric oxide enhance the DNA strand scission induced by tert-butylhydroperoxide in PC12 cells via peroxynitrite-dependent and independent mechanisms, respectively.

A short-term exposure to tert-butylhydroperoxide (tB-OOH) promoted a concentration-dependent formation of DNA single-strand breaks in PC12 cells. These events were paralleled by an increase in the cytosolic concentration of Ca2+ that was in part cleared by the mitochondria. Unlike the extent of Ca2+ mobilization and/or mitochondrial Ca2+ clearance, the DNA strand scission evoked by the hydroperoxide was markedly reduced by the nitric oxide (NO) scavenger 2-phenyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazolin-1-oxyl-3-oxide (PTIO) or by the NO synthase inhibitor N-nitro-L-arginine methylester (L-NAME). Inhibitors of electron transport (rotenone and myxothiazol), ruthenium red (RR, a polycation which inhibits the calcium uniporter of mitochondria), or peroxynitrite scavengers (Trolox and L-methionine) were as effective as PTIO or L-NAME in inhibiting the DNA-damaging response mediated by tB-OOH. Rotenone, RR or peroxynitrite scavengers did not further reduce the residual DNA cleavage observed following treatment with tB-OOH in L-NAME-supplemented cells. Exogenous NO also increased the DNA damage caused by tB-OOH in L-NAME-supplemented cells and this response was blunted by RR or by inhibitors of electron transport but was insensitive to peroxynitrite scavengers. We conclude that both endogenous and exogenous NO enhance the DNA cleavage generated by tB-OOH in PC12 cells. However, only endogenous NO set the bases for an involvement of peroxynitrite in this DNA-damaging response.

Single strand DNA binding and annealing activities in the yeast recombination factor Rad59.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae RAD59 gene is required for homologous recombination processes and normal level of resistance to ionizing radiation. To study the biochemical functions of Rad59, it was overproduced in yeast and purified to near homogeneity. Rad59 binds DNA, showing much higher affinity for ssDNA than dsDNA. Rad59 also anneals complementary DNA strands, and order of addition experiments indicate that maximal annealing efficiency is achieved when both complementary DNA strands are present upon addition of Rad59. Thus, Rad59 resembles its homolog Rad52 in being able to bind ssDNA and anneal complementary DNA strands. However, unlike Rad52, DNA annealing by Rad59 is not accelerated by the ssDNA binding factor RPA. DNA binding and strand annealing are likely to be important for the biological functions of Rad59 in general recombination and in the single-strand annealing pathway of recombination.

Beta-carotene inhibits rat liver chromosomal aberrations and DNA chain break after a single injection of diethylnitrosamine.

Beta-carotene (BC) has recently been found to possess potent anti-tumour activity in chemically induced rat liver carcinogenesis. In the present study, attempts have been made to understand the basic cytogenetic and molecular mechanism of the anti-tumour effect of BC by monitoring its effect on rat liver chromosomal aberrations (CAs) and DNA chain breaks during the early preneoplastic stage of diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in male rats. DNA chain breaks, however, can be detected with great sensitivity by exposing crude cell lysates to alkaline solutions and monitoring the rate of strand unwinding so that one strand break per chromosome can easily be detected. Supplementary BC, in basal diet (120 mg kg[-1]), was given to rats 15 days before carcinogenic threat with DEN. Under these experimental conditions, BC was found to afford a unique protection against DEN-induced CAs 96 h after DEN injection. Long-term treatment with BC also triggered a protective effect on induction of CAs 15, 30 or 45 days after DEN treatment, which was maximal on structural aberrations followed by numerical and physiological types. BC treatment for 15 days before DEN injection was found to offer a significant (P < 0.001) protection in the generation of single-strand breaks compared with DEN control. Thus, BC ranks as a potential chemopreventive agent for the future so far as chemical rat liver carcinogenesis is concerned.

Neurons in the cerebral cortex are most susceptible to DNA-damage in aging rat brain.

Using nick translation type of incubation and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase catalyzed 3 -end labeling, single and double strand breaks in genomic DNA of permeabilised neurons from different regions of young, adult and the aged rat brain were assessed. A steady increase in both types of breaks is noted with advancement of age in all of the brain regions studied. However, the number of SSB encountered in the cerebral cortex was the maximum and was also markedly higher than that in other brain regions. When the neuronal cells were exposed to MNNG or Glutamate the damage was aggravated in all the regions and at all ages but the most severe SSB damage is present in the cerebral cortex of older animals. Both cerebral cortex and the hippocampus showed equally higher DSB in comparison with the other regions. It is concluded that with advancement of age, DNA-damage accumulates in neurons and the cerebral cortex is the most vulnerable region.

Modulation of carcinogen-induced DNA damage and repair enzyme activity by dietary riboflavin.

Formation of single strand breaks in nuclear DNA induced by hepatocarcinogens aflatoxin B1 and N-nitrosodimethylamine was observed to be more pronounced in rats maintained on a riboflavin-deficient diet compared to that on a normal diet. This increased damage was reversed on riboflavin supplementation. The induction of repair enzymes poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, DNA polymerase beta and DNA ligase was significantly higher in riboflavin-deficient rats following DNA damage caused by the administration of carcinogens. Riboflavin supplementation brought down the induction to the levels found in rats maintained on normal diet. Since damage to DNA and its altered repair may relate to carcinogenesis, modulation of these parameters by riboflavin suggests a potential chemopreventive role of this vitamin.

Dissociation of the genotoxic and growth inhibitory effects of selenium.

The effects of forms of selenium compounds that enter the cellular selenium metabolic pathway at different points were investigated in a mouse mammary carcinoma cell line. The goal of these experiments was to determine if the genotoxicity of selenium, defined as its ability to induce DNA single-strand breaks, could be dissociated from activities proposed to account for its cancer inhibitory activity. The results demonstrated that growth inhibition, measured as inhibition of cell proliferation and induction of cell death, was induced by all the forms of selenium evaluated. However, sodium selenite and sodium selenide, which are metabolized predominantly to hydrogen selenide, caused the rapid induction of DNA single-strand breaks as an early event that preceded growth inhibition. Interestingly methylselenocyanate and Se-methylselenocysteine, which are initially metabolized predominantly to methylselenol, induced growth inhibition in the absence of DNA single-strand breakage. Differences in the time course of selenium retention, in the occurrence of membrane damage, and in the induction of morphological changes by selenite versus methylselenocyanate were noted. Collectively, these data indicate that different pathways affecting cell proliferation and cell death are induced depending on whether selenium undergoes metabolism predominantly to hydrogen selenide or to methylselenol.

Relationship of the metabolism of vitamins C and E in cultured hepatocytes treated with tert-butyl hydroperoxide.

The relationship between the metabolism of alpha-tocopherol (alpha-T) (vitamin E) and that of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) was examined in cultured hepatocytes intoxicated with tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP). Unlike vitamin E, the cellular content of vitamin C did not decline after overnight culturing of freshly prepared hepatocytes. In addition, this basal vitamin C content was not affected by the presence of alpha-T phosphate in the overnight culture medium. Supplementation of the overnight culture medium with vitamin C (10 microM to 10 mM) increased the cellular content of vitamin C by > 1 order of magnitude. Increasing the cellular content of ascorbate increased the protection against TBHP toxicity, with or without the presence of a physiological content of vitamin E. In vitamin E-supplemented cells, a loss of alpha-T occurred within 15 min of exposure to TBHP and before the decrease in cellular ascorbate content. The vitamin C content declined in parallel with the loss of cell viability. Supplementation of the overnight culture medium with increasing concentrations of ascorbate progressively spared the depletion of alpha-T while preventing the cell killing. Pretreatment with the ferric iron chelator deferoxamine or the antioxidant N,N'-diphenyl-1,4-phenylenediamine prevented the loss of ascorbate and the cell killing by TBHP in hepatocytes either sufficient or deficient in alpha-T. However, neither alpha-T nor ascorbate prevented the accumulation of DNA single-strand breaks caused by TBHP, indicating that these vitamins do not effectively scavenge the TBHP-derived radicals responsible for DNA damage. The data in the present study indicate that vitamins E and C act as independent antioxidants and that ascorbate does not regenerate alpha-T in cultured rat hepatocytes.

Molecular characteristics of porcine thymus histone H1 variants.

We constructed an assay system to measure the annealing activity that is one of the functional features of nuclear proteins, using ssDNAs derived from M13 phage recombinants which contained a complementary 406-bp portion each. Histone H1 variants were purified from porcine thymus by separation of chromatin, extraction with 5% perchloric acid, and reversed-phase HPLC. Three types of histone H1 variants were found by analysis of amino acid composition and on SDS-PAGE. All of these could promote the annealing. According to Hill's analysis all had similar numbers of binding sites to DNA strands but dissociation constants and annealing activity were different. The number of binding sites, dissociation constants, and annealing activity were changed by dephosphorylation of histone H1 variants. This result suggests that histone H1 variants have different affinities for DNA molecules and ssDNA-annealing activity, which is regulated by phosphorylation.