Crystal structure and stability of a DNA duplex containing A(anti).G(syn) base-pairs.

The synthetic dodecanucleotide d(CGCAAATTGGCG) has been analysed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques and the structure refined to R = 0.16 and 2.25 A resolution, with the location of 94 solvent molecules. The sequence crystallizes as a full turn of a B-DNA helix with ten Watson-Crick base-pairs and two adenine-guanine mispairs. The analysis clearly shows that the mismatches are of the form A(anti).G(syn). Thermal denaturation studies indicate that the stability of the duplex is strongly pH dependent, with a maximum at pH 5.0, suggesting that the base-pair is stabilized by protonation. Three different arrangements have been observed for base-pairs between guanine and adenine and it is likely that A.G mismatch conformation is strongly influenced by dipole-dipole interactions with adjacent base-pairs.

Influence of pH on the conformation and stability of mismatch base-pairs in DNA.

A series of self-complementary dodecanucleotide duplexes containing two symmetrically disposed mismatches have been studied by pH-dependent, ultraviolet light melting techniques. The results indicate that A.C, and C.C mismatches are strongly stabilized by protonation and that the degree of stabilization of the A.C mismatch depends greatly on the flanking bases. In one case, a duplex containing two A.C mismatches is more stable than the native sequence below pH 5.5. The G.A mismatch displays conformational flexibility, with a protonated G(syn).A(anti) base-pair occurring in certain base stacking environments but not in others. The A.A and T.C mismatches are not stabilized at low pH. These solution studies correlate well with predictions based on X-ray crystallographic data.

Quantitative and qualitative differences in the metabolism of 14C-1,3-butadiene in rats and mice: relevance to cancer susceptibility.

1,3-Butadiene (butadiene) is a potent carcinogen in mice, but not in rats. Metabolic studies may provide an explanation of these species differences and their relevance to humans. Male Sprague-Dawley rats and B6C3F1 mice were exposed for 6 h to 200 ppm [2,3-14C]-butadiene (specific radioactivity [sa] 20 mCi/mmol) in a Cannon nose-only system. Radioactivity in urine, feces, exhaled volatiles and 14C-CO2 were measured during and up to 42 h after exposure. The total uptake of butadiene by rats and mice under these experimental conditions was 0.19 and 0.38 mmol (equivalent to 3.8 and 7.5 mCi) per kg body weight, respectively. In the rat, 40% of the recovered radioactivity was exhaled as 14C-CO2, 70% of which was trapped during the 6-h exposure period. In contrast, only 6% was exhaled as 14C-CO2 by mice, 3% during the 6-h exposure and 97% in the 42 h following cessation of exposure. The formation of 14C-CO2 from [2,3-14C]-labeled butadiene indicated a ready biodegradability of butadiene. Radioactivity excreted in urine accounted for 42% of the recovered radioactivity from rats and 71% from mice. Small amounts of radioactivity were recovered in feces, exhaled volatiles and carcasses. Although there was a large measure of commonality, the exposure to butadiene also led to the formation of different metabolites in rats and mice. These metabolites were not found after administration of [4-14C]-1,2-epoxy-3-butene to animals by i.p. injection. The results show that the species differences in the metabolism of butadiene are not simply confined to the quantitative formation of epoxides, but also reflect a species-dependent selection of metabolic pathways. No metabolites other than those formed via an epoxide intermediate were identified in the urine of rats or mice after exposure to 14C-butadiene. These findings may have relevance for the prediction of butadiene toxicity and provide a basis for a revision of the existing physiologically based pharmacokinetic models.

Comparison of immunoaffinity chromatography enrichment and nuclease P1 procedures for 32P-postlabelling analysis of PAH-DNA adducts.

32P-postlabelling analysis for detecting DNA adducts formed by polycyclic aromatic compounds is one of the most widely used techniques for assessing genotoxicity associated with these compounds. In cases where the formation of adducts is extremely low, a crucial step in the analysis is an enrichment procedure for adducts prior to the radiolabelling step. The nuclease P1 enhancement procedure is the most established and frequently used of these methods. An immunoaffinity procedure developed for class specific recognition for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-DNA adducts has therefore been compared with the nuclease P1 method for a range of DNA adducts formed by PAHs. The evaluation was carried out with skin DNA from mice treated topically with benzo[a]pyrene, 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene, 5-methylchrysene or chrysene. The immobilised antibody had the highest affinity for adducts structurally similar to the BPDE-I-deoxyguanosine adduct ([+/-]-N2-(7r,8t,9r-trihydroxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene-1 0t-yl)-2'-deoxyguanosine) against which the antibody had been raised. Of the PAH-modified DNAs evaluated, the maximum adduct recovery was obtained for DNA containing the BPDE I-deoxyguanosine adduct. With DMBA-modified DNA, the profiles of adducts recovered from the column were similar when the column material was treated either with a digest of DMBA-modified DNA or with 32P-labelled DMBA adducts. I-compounds (endogenous adducts in tissue DNA of unexposed animals), which had similar chromatographic properties to PAH-DNA adducts, were not enriched by the immunoaffinity procedure. Compared to the simple nuclease P1 enhancement procedure, the immunoaffinity methods were lengthier and more labour intensive. Advantages of the immunoaffinity procedure include: specificity, allowing the selective detection of a certain class of adducts: efficient adduct enrichment, providing a viable alternative to other enrichment procedures; adequate sensitivity for model studies and the potential to purify adducts for further characterisation. However, as a general screen for detecting the formation of DNA adducts, the nuclease P1 procedure was viewed as the initial method of choice since it was capable of detecting a wider range of PAH-DNA adducts.

Structural and thermodynamic studies on the adenine.guanine mismatch in B-DNA.

The structure of the synthetic dodecamer d(CGCAAATTGGCG) has been shown by single crystal X-ray diffraction methods to be that of a B-DNA helix containing two A(anti).G(syn) base pairs. The refinement, based on data to a resolution of 2.25 A shows that the mismatch base pairs are held together by two hydrogen bonds. The syn-conformation of the guanine base of the mismatch is stabilised by hydrogen bonding to a network of solvent molecules in both the major and minor grooves. A pH-dependent ultraviolet melting study indicates that the duplex is stabilised by protonation, suggesting that the bases of the A.G mispair are present in their most common tautomeric forms and that the N(1)-atom of adenine is protonated. The structure refinement shows that there is some disorder in the sugar-phosphate backbone.

Effects of solvent on DNA adduct formation in skin and lung of CD1 mice exposed cutaneously to benzo(a)pyrene.

The effect of solvent polarity and lipophilicity on DNA adduct formation by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in skin and lung has been studied in CD1 mice exposed cutaneously in vivo to benzo(a)pyrene ( approximately 0.01-7.0 microg/animal) in either tetrahydrofuran or n-dodecane. The nature and amounts of DNA adducts, measured as 7R,8S, 9R-trihydroxy-10S-(N(2)-deoxyguanosyl-3'-phosphate)-7,8,9, 10-tetrahydrobenzo(a)pyrene, in relation to exposure dose and treatment regime was determined by (32)P-postlabelling. In skin DNA there was a linear relationship between exposure dose and adduct formation with both solvents, though the amount of adduct formed was significantly lower from treatment with benzo(a)pyrene in n-dodecane than in tetrahydrofuran. The amounts of adducts measured in skin DNA ranged from 67 amol adducts/microg DNA at the lowest exposure dose of benzo(a)pyrene in n-dodecane to 3.5 fmol adducts/microg DNA (1 adduct in 5 x 10(7) nucleotides to 1 adduct in 9 x 10(5) nucleotides) at the highest dose. In tetrahydrofuran the corresponding levels were 89 amol adducts/microg DNA (1 adduct in 3 x 10(7) nucleotides) to 16.9 fmol adducts/microg DNA (1 adduct in 2 x 10(5) nucleotides). DNA adducts could not be detected in lung tissue following cutaneous treatment of animals with benzo(a)pyrene in n-dodecane. Cutaneous treatment of animals with benzo(a)pyrene in tetrahydrofuran, however, resulted in adducts in lung DNA at a level of 88 amol/microg DNA from exposures only at the highest dose (6.72 microg/animal). The difference in octanol-water partition coefficient, log P(ow) between n-dodecane compared to tetrahydrofuran is considered to be the most likely reason for the reduction in the bioavailability of benzo(a)pyrene and/or its metabolites and hence the degree of genotoxicity in tissues. The results suggest that other paraffinic hydrocarbon solvents may moderate the genotoxicity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in vivo. The assessment of the genotoxicity in vivo of mixtures of compounds should be carried out on complete mixtures of substances of interest in order to take account of these possible antagonistic or synergistic effects.

The conformational variability of an adenosine.inosine base-pair in a synthetic DNA dodecamer.

A crystal structure analysis of the synthetic deoxydodecamer d(CGCAAATTIGCG) which contains two adenosine.inosine (A.I) mispairs has revealed that, in this sequence, the A.I base-pairs adopt a A(anti).I(syn) configuration. The refinement converged at R = 0.158 for 2004 reflections with F greater than or equal to 2 sigma(F) in the range 7.0-2.5A for a model consisting of the DNA duplex and 71 water molecules. A notable feature of the structure is the presence of an almost complete spine of hydration spanning the minor groove of the whole of the (AAATTI)2 core region of the duplex. pH-dependent ultraviolet melting studies have suggested that the base-pair observed in the crystal structure is, in fact, a protonated AH+ (anti).I(syn) species and that the A.I base-pairs in the sequence studied display the same conformational variability as A.G mispairs in the sequence d(CGCAAATTGGCG). The AH+(anti).I(syn) base-pair predominates below pH 6.5 and an A(anti).I(anti) mispair is the major species present between pH 6.5 and 8.0. The protonated base-pairs are held together by two hydrogen bonds one between N6(A) and O6(I) and the other between N1(A) and N7(I). This second hydrogen bond is a direct result of the protonation of the N1 of adenosine. The ultraviolet melting studies indicate that the A(anti).I(anti) base-pair is more stable than the A(anti).G(anti) base-pair but that the AH+(anti).I(syn) base pair is less stable than its AH+(anti).G(syn) analogue. Possible reasons for this observation are discussed.

Comparison of the metabolism of ethylene glycol and glycolic acid in vitro by precision-cut tissue slices from female rat, rabbit and human liver.

1. The metabolism of [1,2-(14)C]-ethylene glycol and [1,2-(14)C]-glycolic acid was studied in vitro using precision-cut tissue slices prepared from the livers of female Sprague-Dawley rats, New Zealand white rabbits and humans. The time-course for production of metabolites formed from ethylene glycol at concentrations from 3 to 40 mM was determined to compare quantitatively the differences between species in the rates and amounts of formation of glycolic acid, the presumed developmental toxicant of ethylene glycol. The rates of metabolism of glycolic acid to glyoxylic acid at concentrations from 0.05 to 16 mM by liver tissue from the different species were also determined. The apparent V(max)/K(m) for the metabolic conversions of ethylene glycol to glycolic acid and for glycolic acid to glyoxylic acid in liver tissue from the different species were obtained. 2. There were qualitative differences in the metabolic profiles and quantitative differences in the formation of glycolic acid between the mammalian liver systems. There was an average of 10-fold less glycolic acid produced by liver slices from rabbits compared with rats. With the human liver, the formation of glycolic acid was not detectable using tissue from three of four human donors. A low level of glycolic acid was detected in one liver slice incubation from one of the four subjects, but only at one extended time point; glyoxylate was detected with liver slices from all four humans. 3. Liver slices prepared from female Sprague-Dawley rats, female New Zealand White rabbits and three female human subjects all metabolized glycolic acid to glyoxylic acid. Human liver tissue was the most effective at further metabolizing glycolic acid to glyoxylic acid. The ratios of V(max)/K(m), representing the relative clearance of glycolic acid from liver tissue, were approximately 14:9:1 for human, rat and rabbit liver, respectively. 4. Precision-cut liver slices maintained in dynamic organ culture are good predictors of metabolism by liver tissue in vivo. The results of the present study therefore indicate that levels of glycolic acid, if formed in vivo, following exposures to similar concentrations of ethylene glycol, would be lower in humans than in rabbits and rats.

Correlation of 32P-postlabelling-detection of DNA adducts in mouse skin in vivo with the polycyclic aromatic compound content and mutagenicity in Salmonella typhimurium of a range of oil products.

The in vivo genotoxic activities in mouse skin of the dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) extracts of a range of oil products [residual aromatic extract; untreated heavy paraffinic distillate aromatic extract; mildly refined light naphthenic base oil; bitumen (vacuum residue); high viscosity index base oil obtained by catalytic hydrogenation] were evaluated by 32P-postlabelling DNA analysis. The results of quantitative 32P-postlabelling analyses of epidermal DNA from mice treated with the DMSO extracts showed linear relationships with the total polycyclic aromatic compound (PAC) contents, determined by the Institute of Petroleum method IP 346 and also the 3-6 ring PAC contents, measured by on-line liquid-liquid extraction using flow injection analysis. The 32P-postlabelling data also showed a linear relationship with the mutagenicity indices of these oil products determined in S. typhimurium TA98 using the modified Ames Salmonella microsome test. The in vivo genotoxicity of the DMSO extracts from the oil products was low, judged by 32P-postlabelling analysis of DNA adducts measured in epidermal DNA of treated mouse skin, and ranging from 2 to 723 attomole/microg DNA per mg oil product. The in vivo 32P-postlabelling data from this study are consistent with these materials expressing low genotoxicity in mouse skin in vivo. The DMSO extraction procedure coupled with 32P-postlabelling DNA analysis is useful for ranking the relative genotoxic potency in vivo of a wide range of oil products. In general the trend observed is similar to rankings based on physicochemical measurements of total PAC contents or 3 6 ring PAC contents of the oil products.

Development of a carcinogenic potency index for dermal exposure to viscous oil products.

Polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) present in oil streams and formulated products are important determinants of possible carcinogenicity. Following dermal exposures the transport of the PACs from oil (the carrier) into the skin is a factor that may affect macromolecular (DNA) adduct formation and thus determine carcinogenicity. We have developed a mathematical model, which describes the flux into the skin for a representative carcinogenic PAC, benzo(a)pyrene. The model is based on measurements of the amount of benzo(a)pyrene bound to skin DNA or blood observed in mouse skin painting studies. The degree of adduct formation from a particular oil product, which we term the Bioavailability Index (BI), was shown to be a function of both the viscosity of the oil product, which affected the transport of the PAC through the carrier, and the aromaticity, which affected the partition of PAC between the carrier and the skin. Literature data were analysed from mouse skin painting studies with mineral oils of known carcinogenicity. A linear relationship was shown between the amount of DNA adduct formation, expressed as alkylation frequency, and the arithmetic product of the total (3-6) ring PAC content and the BI, which we have termed the Carcinogenic Potency Index (CPI). Comparison of literature data on DNA alkylation frequencies for oil products and their carcinogenicity indicated that oils giving rise to an alkylation frequency below a certain threshold (ca. 1 adduct in 10(8) nucleotides) are non-carcinogenic to mouse skin. This threshold level can be translated into a value for the CPI, below which the genotoxic carcinogenic risk arising from skin contact with the oil product is considered to be negligible. The CPI for bitumens is well below this value, being both due to the low BI from bitumen, but more so, due to their low PAC content. For some bitumens diluted with solvents, i.e. cutback-bitumens, the CPI may exceed this value, indicating a possible carcinogenic risk for some of the cutback-bitumens. The main determining factor is the PAC content which is principally determined by the nature of the diluent used.

Studies on the dermal and systemic bioavailability of polycyclic aromatic compounds in high viscosity oil products.

The assessment of skin penetration by viscous oil products is an important element in the risk assessment of these materials where skin contact is likely. Systemic bioavailability (body uptake) is viewed as a good indicator of skin penetration following cutaneous exposures. The results of this study provide quantitative information on the influence of viscosity on the bioavailability of a specific polycyclic aromatic compound (benzo(a)pyrene) in base oils, residual aromatic extracts and bitumens following skin exposures to mice. The materials studied were a base mineral oil (viscosity 32 cSt at 35 degrees C), a 1:1 blend of the mineral base oil and a residual aromatic extract (198 cSt), several residual aromatic extracts (ca. 5000 cSt, 35 degrees C) and a range of bitumens (0.65-69 x 10(6) cSt, 35 degrees C). These were each spiked with 0.1% radiolabelled benzo(a)pyrene, as a representative carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic compound, then used for cutaneous exposures to mice. The results indicate that as viscosity increased in the range ca. 30 to 5000 cSt (base oil to residual aromatic extract) the uptake of the radiolabelled benzo(a)pyrene into blood was reduced by ca. fivefold. Further increases in viscosity from ca. 5000 to 69 x 10(6) cSt (i.e. residual aromatic extract to bitumen) resulted in a further but smaller (ca. twofold) reduction in uptake. The relationship between the amounts of free benzo(a)pyrene measured in blood and viscosity showed the same trend. This trend was also mirrored by the degree of binding of benzo(a)pyrene metabolites to DNA in skin. The findings in mouse skin in vivo indicate that viscosity can significantly affect skin penetration and systemic bioavailability of polycyclic aromatic compound components of oil products. Results obtained with viable human skin in vitro also showed that the bioavailability of benzo(a)pyrene was reduced by the viscosity of the oil product matrix. It is thus necessary to take account of physical properties such as viscosity in the overall risk assessment of viscous oil products, particularly in the case of very viscous materials such as bitumens. The significantly reduced bioavailability of hazardous compounds from undiluted materials is thus an important factor to consider when assessing the risks from dermal exposures.

Class-specific immunoadsorption purification for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-DNA adducts.

An immunoenrichment procedure has been developed for applications in the detection and identification of a broad range of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-DNA adducts at very low abundance. The procedures are based on a monoclonal antibody raised to r-7,trans-8,trans-9-trihydroxy-cis-10-(N2-deoxyguanosyl-5'-phospha te)- 7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene (anti-BPDE-N2-dG) which has been tested for cross-reactivity towards DNA and proteins (bovine serum albumin, chicken gamma globulin and human globin) covalently modified with a range of PAH diol-epoxides. The antibody recognised DNA adducted with the diol-epoxides of benzo[a]pyrene, benz[a]anthracene, chrysene, dibenz[a,h]anthracene or picene. The antibody also cross-reacted with the 7,8,9,10-tetraol derived from benzo[a]pyrene and the 1,2,3,4-tetraols of benz[a]anthracene and chrysene. The degree of cross-reactivity was greatest for PAH adducts with structural features similar to anti-BPDE-N2-dG proximate to the base attachment. The antibody also recognised a range of PAHs adducted to human globin; these included adducts of benzo[a]pyrene, benz[a]anthracene and chrysene diol-epoxides. This wide range of recognition provides good evidence for the class-specific recognition of PAH adducts by the antibody. When immobilized on Sepharose 4B and used in the immunoadsorption purification of adducted nucleotides, the antibody selectively enriched adducts of benzo[a]pyrene, benz[a]anthracene and chrysene from normal nucleotides. Quantitative measurements with [14C]benzo[a]pyrene-DNA adducts showed that the immobilized antibody was able to enrich benzo[a]pyrene adducts from a DNA hydrolysate containing adducts at a level of 1 adduct/10(10) normal nucleotides. In addition, this immunoadsorption technique was effective in enriching a mixture of DNA adducts formed in the skin of CF1 mice treated cutaneously with a mixture of [3H]benzo[a]pyrene and [3H]chrysene. Class-specific immunoenrichment procedures for DNA adducts are important in assisting the identification of genotoxic components in complex mixtures. The performance characteristics of this immobilized antibody suggest that it may be suitable for application in the detection, identification and monitoring of human exposures to low levels of PAHs.