Targeted drug delivery to chemoresistant cells: folic acid derivatization of FdUMP[10] enhances cytotoxicity toward 5-FU-resistant human colorectal tumor cells.

Current chemotherapy protocols that include fluoropyrimidines, such as 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), are limited by the development of chemoresistance during the course of treatment. Our laboratory has developed a novel class of fluoropyrimidines, FdUMP[N], that are oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) composed of some number, N, of 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine-5'-O-monphosphate (FdUMP) nucleotides. Novel synthetic procedures are described that permit conjugation of folic acid to the 5'-OH of FdUMP[10] via a phosphodiester linkage using automated synthesis. The synthetic methods developed are generally applicable for ODN conjugation with folic acid. The folic acid conjugate FA-FdUMP[10] showed improved cytotoxicity toward human colorectal tumor cells (H630), and 5-FU-resistant colorectal tumor cells (H630-10). Enhanced cytotoxicity was observed for FA-FdUMP[10] relative to nonconjugated FdUMP[10] for cells grown under folate-restricted conditions, consistent with cellular uptake being, in part, receptor-mediated. Folate receptor alpha (FRalpha) mRNA was shown by RT-PCR to be overexpressed 26.3-fold in 5-FU-resistant H630-10 cells relative to H630 cells. Thus, FA-FdUMP[N] may prove useful for the treatment of 5-FU-resistant malignancies.

Progress in invasion biology: predicting invaders.

Predicting which species are probable invaders has been a long-standing goal of ecologists, but only recently have quantitative methods been used to achieve such a goal. Although restricted to few taxa, these studies reveal clear relationships between the characteristics of releases and the species involved, and the successful establishment and spread of invaders. For example, the probability of bird establishment increases with the number of individuals released and the number of release events. Also, the probability of plant invasiveness increases if the species has a history of invasion and reproduces vegetatively. These promising quantitative approaches should be more widely applied to allow us to predict patterns of invading species more successfully.

Metabolism of the hamster pancreatic carcinogen methyl-2-oxopropylnitrosamine by hamster liver and pancreas.

BACKGROUND: The mechanism whereby methyl-2-oxopropylnitrosamine (MOP) is activated remains unknown. To begin investigating this mechanism, we followed MOP disappearance during its incubation with liver and pancreatic slices and homogenates from Syrian hamsters and rats. METHODS: After the incubations, disappearance of 100 microM MOP and appearance of a metabolite was followed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with ultraviolet (UV) detection. RESULTS: Disappearance rates were 1.2 nmol/mg protein/h for hamster liver slices; zero for hamster pancreatic slices, ducts and acini; zero for rat liver and pancreatic slices; and 11.8, 12.8, 1.3, and 2.3 nmol MOP/mg/h for hamster liver homogenate and cytosol, and hamster pancreas homogenate and microsomes, respectively. The principal MOP metabolite was identified as methyl-2-hydroxypropylnitrosamine (MHP) by its HPLC behavior and its 1H-NMR and mass spectra. MHP yields were generally similar to MOP consumption, but were zero for hamster pancreatic homogenate despite its ability to metabolize MOP. CONCLUSION: MOP is a pancreatic carcinogen in hamsters but not in rats. In metabolic studies, hamster liver slices and homogenate (especially the cytosol) produced MHP from MOP. This is probably an inactivation reaction. Hamster pancreas homogenate (especially the microsome fraction), but not rat pancreas homogenate, metabolized MOP without forming MHP, indicating another route of metabolism, perhaps activation to give the proximal carcinogen.

The metabolism of the pancreas carcinogen N-nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine by hamster pancreas duct epithelial cell clones; evidence for different metabolic efficiencies and response to cytochrome P450 inducers.

CONTEXT: We have isolated five stable clones from a primary culture of Syrian golden hamster pancreatic duct epithelial cells and have designated them as CK1 through CK5. DESIGN: Here we describe the ability of two of these, CK1 and CK5, to metabolize the pancreas carcinogen N-nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine. The metabolism was assessed as the production of mutated V79 cells in a CK cell/V79 co-culture set up. RESULTS: At a dose of 0.1 mM N-nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine, the CK1 cells produced 82.3 +/- 17.2 mutants/1,000,000 survivors while the CK5 cells produced only 33.2 +/- 10.8 mutants/1,000,000 survivors, both are mean +/- SD (n = 8). Furthermore, both cell types responded differently to two inducers of cytochrome P450 activity, namely Arochlor 1254 and EtOH. Arochlor 1254 treatment did not affect the metabolizing ability of CK1 cells while EtOH treatment resulted in a twofold increase in the mutation frequency. Arochlor and EtOH treatment inhibited the ability of CK5 cells to metabolize N-nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine. CONCLUSIONS: These data show that the duct epithelium of the pancreas is a multi-cellular tissue and the different cell types within the epithelium have different abilities to metabolize xenobiotic chemicals.

Positive interaction between 5-FU and FdUMP[10] in the inhibition of human colorectal tumor cell proliferation.

Interaction between 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and FdUMP[10], a novel pro-drug formulation of the thymidylate synthase (TS) inhibitory nucleotide 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine-5'-O-monophosphate (FdUMP), was investigated to evaluate the feasibility of using these two forms of fluorinated pyrimidine in combination chemotherapy regimens. 5-FU and FdUMP[10] are expected to differ in their relative intracellular distribution of active metabolites, and their combined administration may result in either a positive or a negative interactive effect. The dose-response behaviors of 5-FU and FdUMP[10] toward H630 and H630-10 (human colorectal tumor) cells were first investigated separately. Effects on cell viability were measured using an assay for 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), while cytotoxicity and apoptosis were investigated using clonogenic and TUNEL assays, respectively. Exposure of H630 cells to concentrations of FdUMP[10] insufficient to inhibit cell proliferation as a single agent markedly increased the cytotoxicity of 5-FU. The results indicate that 5-FU and FdUMP[10] interact in a positive manner, and that combining these two forms of fluorinated pyrimidine may be clinically beneficial.

Increased cytotoxicity and decreased in vivo toxicity of FdUMP[10] relative to 5-FU.

The efficacy of treatment with 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is limited, in part, by its inefficient conversion to 5-Fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine-5'-O-monophosphate (FdUMP). We present data indicating that FdUMP[10], designed as a pro-drug for intracellular release of FdUMP, is cytotoxic as a consequence of uptake of the multimeric form. FdUMP[10] is stable in cell culture medium, with more than one-half of the material persisting as multimers of at least six nucleotides after a 48 h incubation at 37 degrees C. FdUMP[10] is more than 400 times more cytotoxic than 5-FU towards human colorectal tumor cells (H630). FdUMP[10] also has decreased toxicity in vivo, with doses as high as 200 mg/kg/day (qdx3) administered to Balb/c mice without morbidity, compared to a maximum tolerated dose of 45 mg/kg/day for 5-FU using the same protocol. FdUMP[10] shows reduced sensitivity to OPRTase- and TK-mediated drug resistance, relative to 5-FU and FdU, respectively, and is much more cytotoxic than 5-FU towards cells that overexpress thymidylate synthase. Thus, FdUMP[10] is less susceptible to resistance mechanisms that limit the clinical utility of 5-FU. The increased cytotoxicity, decreased toxicity in vivo, and reduced sensitivity to drug resistance of FdUMP[10], relative to 5-FU, indicates multimeric FdUMP is potentially valuable as an anti-neoplastic agent, either as a single agent, or in combination with 5-FU.

C8-Arylguanine and C8-aryladenine formation in calf thymus DNA from arenediazonium ions.

Arylhydrazides, arylhydrazines, and N-alkyl-N-arylnitrosamines are metabolized to arenediazonium ions which yield C8-arylpurine adducts in calf thymus and cellular DNA. The mechanism of adduct formation has not been fully elucidated. C8-Arylguanine adducts likely form from direct aryl radical (Ar*) addition to the C8 position of guanine. However, the amounts of C8-aryladenine adducts measured here are inconsistent with direct radical attack at the C8 position of adenine. An intermediate product, an aryltriazene, is likely formed which then decomposes to the C8-aryladenine adduct. We have demonstrated that N1-aryl-N3-purinyltriazene adducts are formed from a variety of para-substituted arenediazonium ions with adenine. Decomposition of the N1-aryl-N3-purinyltriazene, at high pH and elevated temperatures, has been shown to give C8-aryladenine derivatives, and a free radical mechanism for this process has been proposed. Here we show that this process can occur under physiological conditions and that the C8-aryladenine adduct can be quantitated by HPLC. ESR studies, in which DMPO was used as a spin trap, have been used to demonstrate the intermediacy of aryl radicals during the decomposition of the N1-aryl-N3-purinyltriazenes and to demonstrate that this process also occurs in calf thymus (ct) DNA treated with arenediazonium ions. These results suggest the involvement of an aryl radical in the formation of the observed DNA adducts. Finally, we have found that the treatment of ct DNA with arenediazonium ions produces a significant amount of depurination. Both the formation of C8-arylguanine and C8-aryladenine adducts and the generation of apurinic sites may contribute to the genotoxicity of arylhydrazides, arylhydrazines, N-alkyl-N-arylnitrosamines, and arenediazonium ions.

Transcription of Arabidopsis and wheat Cab genes in single tobacco transgenic seedlings exhibits independent rhythms in a developmentally regulated fashion.

Transcription of Cab genes has been previously shown to be regulated by a circadian oscillator coupled to the red light-absorbing plant photoreceptor phytochrome in various plant species. In addition, it has recently been suggested that rhythmic expression of the Cab genes could also be affected by a phytochrome-independent circadian oscillator in a developmentally regulated fashion. This study has shown that a red light-insensitive oscillator and a phytochrome-coupled circadian clock indeed coregulate the oscillating expression of individual Cab genes at the level of transcription at an early developmental stage. The study involved analysing the expression patterns of transgenes, containing short fragments of the Arabidopsis thaliana Cab2 or the wheat Cab-1 promoter fused to the firefly luciferase reporter gene, by a video-imaging system in single, etiolated tobacco seedlings. Germination and red/far-red light treatments applied between 12 and 36 h after sowing lead to the appearance of two independent circadian rhythms. These rhythms coexist, both exhibiting period lengths close to 25 h but phased differently. However, repeated red-light treatments given 60 h or later after sowing synchronize these free-running rhythms and induce a single new circadian oscillation. These data indicate that both oscillators regulate the expression of the Cab genes studied at the level of transcription and that the cis-acting element(s) of the wheat Cab-1 and A. thaliana Cab2 genes mediating these responses are located on short, 250 bp promoter regions. Furthermore, these red-light induced rhythms are also inducible by far-red light treatments alone. Therefore, in tobacco, the phytochrome-coupled oscillator is regulated, at least partially, by the very low fluence response of phytochrome A.

Duct epithelial cells cultured from human pancreas processed for transplantation retain differentiated ductal characteristics.

A procedure is described for the isolation and growth in vitro of epithelial cells from the duct network of human pancreas, referred to as DEC. A significant advantage of our procedure over previously published procedures is that it enables the isolation of DEC from small pieces of pancreas tissue (< 5 g) and, also, from the digest remaining after the isolation of islet cells from human pancreas, material that would normally be discarded. These were the only reliable sources for pancreas tissue available to us. This procedure shows that some of the techniques that have been successfully used for the isolation of rodent DEC are also valuable in the isolation of human DEC. In particular, the use of cholera toxin to prevent fibroblast growth and contamination obviates the need for the time-consuming procedure of physically removing fibroblasts or the use of expensive fibroblast-specific monoclonal antibodies. The use of sieving to separate the digest immediately achieves a partial purification, which, coupled with that of allowing duct cysts to form, adds to the purity of the final preparation. The ductal system of the intact pancreas tissue and the DEC derived from it expressed cytokeratins 7, 8/18, and 19 and markers for the presence of MUC1, CFTR, and carbonic anhydrase II, which are specific for ductal epithelial cells or for pancreatic ductal functions. This study showed that it is possible to obtain selectively viable DEC from small ducts in otherwise waste pieces of human pancreas. It showed that these cells retained all of the epithelial characteristics that were examined and, in combination with data from an earlier study, showed that the cultured DEC retain the metabolic functions of duct epithelial cells in vivo.

Mutagenicity of carcinogenic nitrosamines when activated by hamster and human pancreatic duct epithelial cells.

We have measured the ability of pancreatic duct epithelial cells (DEC) from Syrian hamsters and humans and CK cells, immortalized hamster DEC, to metabolize chemical carcinogens to species that were mutagenic in S. typhimurium TA98 and in V79 cells. The chemicals were N-nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine (BOP), 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) and 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP). The ability of ethanol (EtOH) to modify the metabolizing efficiency was also measured. When an S9 preparation from EtOH-treated CK cells was used to metabolize NNK the number of revertants was 271 +/- 73 compared with 17 +/- 2 when the S9 from control CK cells was used. When hamster DEC were used there was no increase in the mutation frequency for BOP in V79 cells (64 +/- 20 mutants/10(6) survivors per mumol) when EtOH-DEC were used. However, the mutation frequencies of NNK and PhIP rose when the EtOH-treated DEC were used from 62 +/- 31 to 198 +/- 28 mutants/10(6) survivors per mumol for NNK and from 94 +/- 25 to 166 +/- 25 mutants/10(6) survivors per mumol for PhIP. A similar result was obtained when human DEC were used, i.e. no change in BOP mutagenicity and a slight increase in PhIP mutagenicity, from 34 +/- 14 to 65 +/- 12 mutants/10(6) survivors per mumol. There were large increases in the mutagenicity of NNK with each of the three samples of human DEC that were used, from 75 +/- 0 to 213 +/- 38, 75 +/- 13 to 175 +/- 25 and 38 +/- 13 to 285 +/- 25 mutants/10(6) survivors per mumol. The EtOH treatment regimen that was used more closely mimicked chronic exposure at low concentrations in vivo. These data show that hamster DEC are capable of metabolizing NNK, which is carcinogenic in these cells in vivo. Furthermore, human DEC metabolized NNK as efficiently as hamster DEC.

Mutagenicity of 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) when activated by hamster pancreatic duct epithelial cells: a chemopreventive role for glutathione.

We have shown a role for glutathione (GSH) in the detoxification of 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) using mutagenicity in V79 cells as the end-point. Immortalized hamster pancreas duct epithelial cells (CK cells) were used to metabolize PhIP in this assay. Intracellular GSH concentrations were lowered by treatment with buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) and were raised by treatment with sodium sulfite. BSO treatment (10 mM, 4 h) reduced the GSH concentration in V79 cells from 18 +/- 1 to 6 +/- 1 nmol/mg protein, 4 h after treatment. The mutation frequency of PhIP in these V79 cells rose from 15 +/- 2 to 34 +/- 4 mutants/10(6) survivors in BSO-treated V79 cells. In a related experiment both CK and V79 cells were treated with sulfite. Sulfite treatment (2 mM, 4 h) produced a greater reduction in PhIP mutagenicity when the V79 cells were treated with sulfite (from 15 +/- 2 to 3 +/- 1 mutants/10(6) survivors) than when the CK cells were treated (from 15 +/- 2 to 7 +/- 2 mutants/10(6) survivors). These data show a relationship between intracellular GSH concentration and the mutagenicity of PhIP.

Aryl radical formation during the metabolism of arylhydrazines by microsomes.

Many arylhydrazines are genotoxins, although the mechanism of their genotoxicity is unknown. Previous studies have shown that arylhydrazines are metabolized to arenediazonium ions, which produce C8-arylguanine adducts in DNA suggesting the intermediacy of an aryl radical. Here we have looked for the formation of aryl radicals from arylhydrazines and microsomes by ESR spin trapping. Only hydroxyl radicals are trapped upon incubation of p-methylphenylhydrazine with rat liver microsomes and 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO). However, hydroxyl and aryl radicals were trapped upon incubation of p-(methoxymethyl)phenylhydrazine with rat liver microsomes. Evidence for hydroperoxyl radical formation was also obtained. In contrast, when either of these substrates was incubated with microsomes from C5O cells, aryl and hydroxyl radicals were trapped. The ESR signal intensity of the spin-trapped aryl radicals parallels the extent of C8-arylguanine formation in DNA, and therefore, the aryl radical is likely the intermediate responsible for C8-arylguanine adduct formation. Aryl radicals and C8-arylguanine adducts may be related to the genotoxicity of arylhydrazines and related compounds that are oxidatively metabolized to arenediazonium ions, the precursor to aryl radicals, including arylalkyl nitrosamines, arylazo compounds, and triazenes.

The expression of multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP) in pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell lines.

The presence of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and multiple drug resistance-associated protein (MRP) was examined in four human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell lines (PANC-1, BxPC-3, AsPC-1, and Capan-1). Cellular accumulation of rhodamine 123 and [3H]vincristine were used to determine functional activity of P-gp and MRP, respectively. None of the cells showed any evidence of P-gp in the rhodamine 123 cellular accumulation assays. In contrast, PANC-1, BxPC-3 and AsPC-1 did display an increased accumulation of [3H]vincristine following treatment with either cyclosporin A or verapamil. Western blot analysis confirmed the expression of MRP, and little, if any, measurable P-gp in the cell lysates. These studies suggest that intrinsic drug resistance in pancreatic duct cancer may be due in part to the presence of MRP.

The Tissue-Specific Expression of a Tobacco Phytochrome B Gene.

We have isolated a genomic clone from Nicotiana tabacum, designated Nt-PHYB-1, encoding a type-II, "green tissue" phytochrome apoprotein. Recombinant genes, consisting of the 3319-bp promoter of the Nt-PHYB-1 gene (including the entire 5[prime] untranslated sequence but not the ATG) or its deletion derivatives and the bacterial [beta]-glucuronidase reporter gene, were constructed and transferred into tobacco. The expression patterns and levels of the endogenous Nt-PHYB-1, as well as those of the transgenes, were determined by RNase protection assays and by [beta]-glucuronidase histochemical staining. We show that (a) the PHYB-1 gene has three transcription start sites, (b) the abundance of the three PHYB-1-specific mRNAs is different, and that (c) it is not regulated by light. However, we do demonstrate that transcription of the endogenous PHYB-1 gene and that of the recombinant genes exhibit a well-defined organ and tissue specificity. This tobacco PHYB gene is relatively highly expressed in leaf, stem, and different floral organs but not in root. Deletion analysis of the Nt-PHYB-1 promoter indicates that a 382-bp region, located between -1472 and -1089, is required for high-level expression of this gene.

Identification of protein kinase C zeta isozyme in hamster pancreas and pancreatic carcinoma cell lines.

Cellular differentiation and proliferation are dependent upon phosphorylation by endogenous protein kinase C (PKC) isozymes in many cell types. Western blotting with a C-terminally directed rabbit polyclonal anti-PKC zeta antibody detected a doublet of approximately 81 kDa in normal hamster pancreatic tissue and hamster pancreatic carcinoma (PC-1) and human pancreatic carcinoma (PANC-1) cells. Preabsorption of the antibody with the specific peptide blocked the appearance of the 81-kDa band, indicating that the band was specifically recognized by the PKC zeta antibody. In contrast, antibodies for PKC alpha, beta, gamma, delta, and epsilon failed to show specific immunoreactivity for normal pancreatic tissue or PANC-1 or PC-1 cells. Immunocytochemical analysis identified PKC zeta in the cytoplasm of ductules and large ducts, to a lesser extent in the islets of the hamster pancreas, and in the normal cultured pancreatic duct epithelial cells and pancreatic carcinoma (PANC-1 and PC-1) cell lines. Specific reactivity was seen by electron microscopy in the ductal cells of the normal pancreatic tissue. In normal pancreatic ductal tissue and primary pancreatic ductal hyperplasia and carcinoma, the proportional labeling of PKC zeta in nuclei and cytoplasm was similar. Our results demonstrating the presence of PKC zeta isozyme in the normal pancreas, cultured normal pancreatic duct epithelial cells, and pancreatic carcinoma cells or carcinoma tissue suggests a role for this isozyme in the normal physiology of the pancreas and perhaps in pancreatic carcinoma.

Expression of tobacco genes for light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b binding proteins of photosystem II is controlled by two circadian oscillators in a developmentally regulated fashion.

Light-induced expression of genes encoding the light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b binding proteins of photosystem II (Cab) was shown to be controlled by a circadian oscillator coupled to the red-light-absorbing plant photoreceptor phytochrome. Here we show that a red-light-insensitive oscillator is also involved in regulating the expression of the Cab genes. We provide evidence that germination leads, in a light-independent manner, to the setting and/or synchronization of endogenous oscillators and that it induces the expression of Cab genes in a circadian fashion. This circadian oscillator is not coupled to phytochrome, as it cannot be reset by red light for at least 44 h after sowing. Short red light pulses given between 12 and 44 h after sowing, however, induce new rhythms without perturbing the already free-running red-light-independent circadian oscillation. At this stage of development, the phytochrome-coupled and uncoupled circadian rhythms coexist. Both circadian rhythms are expressed and exhibit period lengths close to 24 h but are phased differently. At later stages of development (60 h or later after sowing), red light treatments synchronized these free-running rhythms and led to the appearance of a single new circadian oscillation. These data indicate that during early development the expression of single tobacco Cab genes, particularly expression of the Cab21 and Cab40 genes, is controlled in a developmentally dependent manner by two circadian oscillators.

Mutagenicity of heterocyclic amines when activated by pancreas tissue.

The heterocyclic amines (HA) 2-aminodipyrido[1,2-a:3',2-d]imidazole (Glu-P-2), 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (MeIQ) and 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) were mutagenic in V79 cells (Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts) using 6-thioguanine resistance as the marker of mutagenicity. Pancreas duct epithelial cells (DEC) from untreated hamsters, homogenates of pancreas ducts from untreated hamsters and those fed a high fat diet and human DEC were used to activate the heterocyclic amines. When hamster cells and tissues were used the optimum mutation frequencies (mutants/10(6) survivors) measured were: Glu-P-2, 10 +/- 1; MeIQ, 28 +/- 2 (DEC), 12 +/- 2 (control, duct homogenate), and 21 +/- 2 (high fat diet fed, duct homogenate); PhIP, 61 +/- 5. When human DEC were used the optimum mutation frequencies were: MeIQ, 32 +/- 4; PhIP, 35 +/- 3. 3,8-Dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline, 3-amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole and 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole were not mutagenic in this assay.

Mutation of V79 cells by N-dialkylnitrosamines after activation by hamster pancreas duct cells.

Pancreas duct epithelial cells (DEC), isolated from hamsters and cultured for up to 25 days, were able to metabolize N-nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine (BOP) to species that were mutagenic in V79 cells. There was no decline in the nitrosamine-activating ability of DEC over the period of observation (25 d). DEC activated N-nitrosobis(2-hydroxypropyl)amine (BHP), N-nitrosodiethylamine (DEN), N-nitrosodimethylamine (DMN) and N-nitrosomethyl(2-oxopropyl)amine (MOP) and BOP in the same assay, although the mutation frequencies for BHP, DEN and DMN were barely different from that for the controls (4 +/- 1 mutants/10(6) cells). The mutation frequencies for a dose of 0.1 mM were BHP, 2 +/- 1; BOP, 113 +/- 7; DEN, 8 +/- 1; DMN, 5 +/- 2; and MOP, 18 +/- 3 (mutants/10(6) cells; means +/- SE). When hepatocytes were used the mutation frequencies were BHP, 3 +/- 1; BOP, 60 +/- 3; DEN, 8 +/- 2; DMN, 8 +/- 2; and MOP, 121 +/- 10. BOP was toxic to the DEC at doses above 0.1 mM. Experiments in which co-factors were omitted from the medium suggested that an isoform(s) of the cytochrome P-450 IIIA family was involved, directly or indirectly, in BOP activation.

Identification of C8-methylguanine in the hydrolysates of DNA from rats administered 1,2-dimethylhydrazine. Evidence for in vivo DNA alkylation by methyl radicals.

C8-Methylguanine was identified in the neutral hydrolysates of DNA isolated from the liver or colon tissue of rats administered 1,2-dimethylhydrazine. In all the samples examined, the biologically isolated adducts were characterized by co-elution with synthetic C8-methylguanine under different high pressure liquid chromatography conditions. The sample isolated from liver DNA was also identified by UV spectroscopy at different pH values and by mass spectrometry. The estimated yields of C8-methylguanine obtained in hydrolysates of DNA from the liver or colon tissue were comparable to those of O6-methylguanine. C8-Methylguanine was not detected when the spin trap alpha-(4-pyridyl-1-oxide)-N-tert- butylnitrone was administered together with 1,2-dimethylhydrazine. The spin trap also inhibited N7-methylguanine and O6-methylguanine yields, although to a lesser extent. These results constitute the first evidence that DNA alkylation by carbon-centered radicals can occur in vivo.

Semisynthetic epsilon-(iso)rhodomycins: a new glycosylation variant and modification reactions.

Synthesis of 7-O-(3-amino-2,3,6-trideoxy-alpha-L-lyxo-hexopyranosyl)-epsilon-(i so)rhodomycinones 16 and 17, and their 3'-morpholino derivatives are described. Glycosylation (trimethylsilyl triflate, 10:1 dichloro-methane-acetone, -35 degrees) of 1-O-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-2,3-6-trideoxy-4-O-p-nitrobenzoyl-3-trifl uoroacetamido-beta-L-lyxo-hexopyranose (4) with epsilon-rhodomycinone (epsilon-RMN, 5) or epsilon-isorhodomycinone (epsilon-isoRMN, 6) afforded 7-O-alpha-glycosyl-epsilon-RMN (9) and -epsilon-isoRMN (12) in high yield. The glycosyl donors 2,3,6-trideoxy-4-O-p-nitrobenzoyl-3-trifluoroacetamido-L-lyxo++ +-hexopyrano se (2) or its 1-O-trimethylsilylated alpha-anomer 3 were less suitable for the glycosylation of these aglycons. Sapinification of 9 and 12 provided 16 and 17, respectively, which reacted with various 2,2'-oxydiacetaldehydes under conditions of reductive alkylation to give 3'-morpholinyl-epsilon-(iso)rhodomycins.