Illumination of human keratinocytes in the presence of the sunscreen ingredient Padimate-O and through an SPF-15 sunscreen reduces direct photodamage to DNA but increases strand breaks.

On illumination with simulated sunlight, the UVB-absorbing sunscreen chemical 2-ethylhexyl-4-dimethylaminobenzoate (Padimate-O) generates excited species which inflict non-ligatable strand breaks on DNA in vitro and it also becomes mutagenic to yeast in vivo. Padimate-O is known to penetrate human skin but its effects on human cells are not clear. Here, we first simulate the sunlight which penetrates human skin and use it to illuminate human keratinocytes. The DNA damage observed in terms of UV-endonuclease-sensitive sites (ESS) and direct strand breaks per kilobase (kb) of DNA per joule per square metre agrees well with that predicted from action spectra based on monochromatic light. Using plasmid DNA in vitro, we find a very similar pattern of results. Next, we simulate the spectrum that results when the incident light is first attenuated by a film of sunscreen (SPF-15; 2 mg/cm(2)) containing benzophenone-3 (a UVA absorber), octyl methoxycinnamate (a UVB absorber), and Padimate-O. If the sunscreen is not in contact with keratinocytes it reduces direct DNA damage from sunlight (ESS). However, any Padimate-O in contact with the cells substantially increases indirect damage (strand breaks) even though the film of sunscreen reduces direct photodamage. We estimate that applying an SPF-15 sunscreen which contains Padimate-O to human skin followed by exposure to only 5 minimum erythemal doses (MED) of sunlight could, while suppressing the formation of ESS, increase strand breaks in cells under the epidermis by at least 75-fold compared to exposure to 1 MED in the absence of sunscreen.

Ultraviolet radiation screening compounds.

Amongst the diversity of methods used by organisms to reduce damage caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation, the synthesis of UV-screening compounds is almost ubiquitous. UV-screening compounds provide a passive method for the reduction of UV-induced damage and they are widely distributed across the microbial, plant and animal kingdoms. They share some common chemical features. It is likely that on early earth strong selection pressures existed for the evolution of UV-screening compounds. Many of these compounds probably had other physiological roles, later being selected for the efficacy of UV screening. The diversity in physiological functions is one of the complications in studying UV-screening compounds and determining the true ecological importance of their UV-screening role. As well as providing protection against ambient UV radiation, species with effective screening may also be at an advantage during natural ozone depletion events. In this review the characteristics of a wide diversity of UV-screening compounds are discussed and evolutionary questions are explored. As research into the range of UV-screening compounds represented in the biosphere continues, so it is likely that the properties of many more compounds will be elucidated. These compounds, as well as providing us with insights into natural responses to UV radiation, may also have implications for the development of artificial UV-screening methods to reduce human exposure to UV radiation.

Nitroxide radicals protect DNA from damage when illuminated in vitro in the presence of dibenzoylmethane and a common sunscreen ingredient.

Indolinonic nitroxide radicals efficiently scavenge oxygen- and carbon-centered radicals. They protect lipid and protein systems against oxidative stress, but little is known about their capacity to protect DNA against radical-mediated damage. We compare indolinonic nitroxides and the piperidines TEMPO and TEMPOL for their ability to inhibit strand breaks inflicted on DNA when it is illuminated in vitro in the presence of dibenzoylmethane (DBM) and a relative, Parsol 1789, used as a UVA-absorbing sunscreen. We used spin-trapping EPR to examine the formation of radicals and plasmid nicking assays to evaluate DNA strand breakage. The results have a two-fold interest. First, they show that all the nitroxides tested efficiently prevent DNA damage in a dose-dependent fashion. Vitamin E had no effect under the conditions used. Second, they show that carbon-centered radicals are produced on illumination of DBM and its relative and that their formation is probably responsible for the direct strand breaks found when naked DNA is illuminated in vitro in their presence. Additional work on the ability of sunscreens to enter human cells and their response to the light that penetrates sunscreen-protected skin would be necessary before any conclusion could be drawn as to whether the results reported here are relevant to human use of sunscreens.

Chemical oxidation and DNA damage catalysed by inorganic sunscreen ingredients.

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) has been noted (US Federal Register, 43FR38206, 25 August 1978) to be a safe physical sunscreen because it reflects and scatters UVB and UVA in sunlight. However, TiO2 absorbs about 70% of incident UV, and in aqueous environments this leads to the generation of hydroxyl radicals which can initiate oxidations. Using chemical methods, we show that all sunscreen TiO2 samples tested catalyse the photo-oxidation of a representative organic substrate (phenol). We also show that sunlight-illuminated TiO2 catalyses DNA damage both in vitro and in human cells. These results may be relevant to the overall effects of sunscreens.

Characterization of DNA damage inflicted by free radicals from a mutagenic sunscreen ingredient and its location using an in vitro genetic reversion assay.

We describe an in vitro approach to assessing the potential genotoxicity of illuminated sunscreens. The photomutagenic sunscreen Padimate-O attacks DNA on illumination with simulated sunlight, producing strand breaks and lesions that are labile to N,N'-dimethylethylenediamine but few, if any, cyclobutane dimers or other direct photoproducts. The damage can be completely suppressed by the free radical quenchers Tris, ethanol, mannitol and dimethylsulfoxide, which is commonly used as a solvent in conventional photomutagenicity assays. Using a genetic reversion assay that depends on regenerating beta-galactosidase activity in photodamaged plasmids we find that GC base pairs are particularly susceptible to attack by Padimate-O.

Novel reagents for chemical cleavage at abasic sites and UV photoproducts in DNA.

Hot piperidine is often used to cleave abasic and UV-irradiated DNA at the sites of damage. It can inflict non-specific damage on DNA, probably because it is a strong base and creates significant concentrations of hydroxyl ions which can attack purines and pyrimidines. We show that several other amines can cleave abasic DNA at or near neutral pH without non-specific damage. One diamine, N,N'-dimethylethylenediamine, efficiently cleaves abasic DNA at pH 7.4 by either beta- or beta,delta-elimination, depending on temperature. Using end-labelled oligonucleotides we show that cleavage depends mainly on elimination reactions, but that 4',5'-cyclization is also significant. This reagent also cleaves at photoproducts induced by UVC and UVB, producing the same overall pattern as piperidine, but with no non-specific damage. It should prove valuable in locating low levels of photoproducts in DNA, such as those induced by natural sunlight.

Sunlight-induced mutagenicity of a common sunscreen ingredient.

We have tested the mutagenicity of a UV-B sunscreen ingredient called Padimate-O or octyl dimethyl PABA, which, chemically speaking, is identical to an industrial chemical that generates free radicals when illuminated. It is harmless in the dark but mutagenic in sunlight, attacking DNA directly. A commercial sunscreen containing Padimate-O behaves in the same way. UV-A in sunlight also excites Padimate-O, although less than UV-B. Some related compounds, including a known carcinogen, behave similarly. As mutagens may be carcinogenic, our results suggest that some sunscreens could, while preventing sunburn, contribute to sunlight-related cancers.

Attachment of vitellogenin genes to the nucleoskeleton accompanies their activation.

We have investigated the association of an inducible RNA polymerase II gene with the nucleoskeleton using the estrogen-inducible expression of the B2 vitellogenin gene in Xenopus liver as a model system. Using only physiological extraction conditions we find that the promoter region of the gene is strongly associated with the nucleoskeleton when it is transcriptionally active but much less so when it is inactive. We also find that the estrogen receptor protein, which is responsible for activation of this gene, is itself found associated with the nucleoskeleton. Finally, we show that newly synthesized, unspliced vitellogenin mRNA is also found on the nucleoskeleton. Our data suggest that expression of the B2 vitellogenin gene occurs only after it has become attached to the nucleoskeleton.

Activation of chromosomal vitellogenin genes in Xenopus oocytes by pure estrogen receptor and independent activation of albumin genes.

We generate pure estrogen receptor protein in Xenopus oocytes by injecting them with estrogen receptor mRNA synthesized in vitro. A chromosomal vitellogenin gene, which normally responds to estrogen only in liver cells, is activated. Primer extension shows that initiation is accurate, and ribonuclease mapping shows that the first exon is correctly spliced out of the initial transcript. Long transcripts are produced, one being equal in length to poly(A)- vitellogenin mRNA. Immunochemical estimates of receptor levels in the oocyte nuclei suggest that pure receptor, acting alone, cannot activate oocyte vitellogenin genes unless unusually large amounts are present. However, when a receptor-free extract from liver cells is also injected, the amount of receptor required is reduced. Such an extract, but not pure receptor, can also activate albumin genes in oocytes.

High concentrations of estrogen stabilize vitellogenin mRNA against cytoplasmic degradation but physiological concentrations do not.

Using DNA excess filter hybridization to pulse-labeled cellular RNA, we examined the stability of vitellogenin mRNA in Xenopus liver in relation to estrogen concentration. We showed that pharmacological concentrations of estrogen stabilize vitellogenin mRNA against degradation but that physiological concentrations do not. We concluded that there is little foundation for the common belief that estrogen stabilizes vitellogenin mRNA in normal liver cells and that such stabilization contributes to the normal expression of vitellogenin genes. We also discuss the importance of steroid concentration in other contexts, and show that the widespread tendency to use artificially high concentrations may lead to questionable conclusions.

Selective photochemical treatment of oestrogen receptor in a Xenopus liver extract destroys hormone binding and transcriptional activation but not DNA binding.

Photochemical excitation of a simple derivative of oestradiol using light in the UV-A range totally, permanently and selectively inactivates the oestrogen receptor protein present in a Xenopus liver extract without affecting its overall size. Inactivation of the binding site proceeds to completion with simple, first-order kinetics. Inactivation is prevented by excess oestradiol but not by non-oestrogenic steroids. Using an in vitro transcription system, we show that the treatment eliminates transcription of vitellogenin genes, which are normally oestrogen-responsive, but has no effect on the transcription of albumin genes, which are not. Native receptor binds to the two imperfectly palindromic sequences in the vitellogenin B2 gene which together constitute an oestrogen-response unit. Its affinity for one sequence is greater than its affinity for the other, suggesting that a compulsory binding order operates when receptor interacts with the B2 gene. Photoinactivated receptor still binds to both sequences, but with reduced affinity. We also discuss our findings in the context of the current concern over the effects of UV-A on human tissues.

A novel nuclear transcription system which responds correctly to cloned estrogen receptor.

We describe here a novel but simple nuclear transcription system in which nuclei make RNA in an isotonic buffer for a long time and respond to a cloned external factor by accurately initiating new transcription.

Injection of partially purified estrogen receptor protein from Xenopus liver nuclei into oocytes activates the silent vitellogenin locus.

Injection of extracts from Xenopus liver nuclei that are enriched 2000 times in estradiol receptor into Xenopus oocytes induces transcription of the silent vitellogenin locus, which is activated in liver by estradiol, but not of the albumin locus, which is active in liver but suppressed by high levels of estradiol. Transcription initiates within the 5'-end region of the gene we have studied and probably continues into the 3' third. The activation seems to be very efficient, but most of the primary transcripts are probably rapidly and inaccurately processed. New proteins are also made and secreted by the oocytes.

Protein synthesis in dorsal and ventral regions of Xenopus laevis embryos in relation to dorsal and ventral differentiation.

Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis has been used to analyze protein synthesis in dorsal and ventral regions in embryonic stages of Xenopus laevis. Proteins specific either to dorsal or to ventral regions are synthesized for the first time at gastrulation, concomitant with morphological differentiation. The reliability of these proteins as markers of dorsal and ventral differentiation was tested by examining their synthesis in Uv-irradiated embryos, which have severely reduced capacity for dorsal development, reflected in reduced levels of the neuromuscular-specific enzyme acetylcholinesterase, but which continue to synthesize the great majority of proteins at normal rates. Synthesis of dorsal indicator proteins should be reduced or absent in these embryos, whereas ventral indicators should be synthesized at least to the same extent as in control embryos. Some of the putative dorsal and ventral indicators failed this test, but the majority were confirmed as reliable markers of dorsal and ventral differentiation, thus providing a connection between morphology and gene expression in the establishment of the dorsal-ventral axis in X. laevis.

Partial purification of estradiol receptor from Xenopus laevis liver and levels of receptor in relation to estradiol concentration.

We have used ammonium sulphate precipitation followed by affinity chromatography to partially purify the estrogen receptor from Xenopus laevis liver which may control the genes for vitellogenin, the precursor of the egg yolk proteins. The rate at which receptor binds estradiol explains the kinetics of the induction of vitellogenin synthesis by estradiol, and the dissociation constant (0.5 X 10(-9) M) explains the concentration dependence of the response, which has a threshold of 10(-9) M estradiol, when 67% of the receptor is bound to estradiol. The estradiol concentration in male liver, which does not make vitellogenin, is 0.18 X 10(-9) M, sufficient to saturate 26% of the receptor, while in female liver, which makes vitellogenin continuously, the estradiol concentration is 3.5 X 10(-9) M, giving 88% saturation of receptor, suggesting that the proportion of occupied receptor decides whether or not the vitellogenin genes are active. In the physiological concentration range, estradiol modulates the level of receptor, which varies between 100 binding sites per nucleus in males and 440 in females, but artificially high concentrations of estradiol raise the level to approximately 1000 sites per nucleus. This suggests that the small increase in vitellogenin mRNA induced by physiological concentrations of estradiol is due to pre-existing receptor and that the much larger increases induced by very high concentrations depends on newly-synthesized receptor.