XPA protein alters the specificity of ultraviolet light-induced mutagenesis in vitro.

Studies of ultraviolet (UV) light mutagenesis have demonstrated mutations at common sites in the target genes of shuttle vector plasmids replicated in cultured cells or by cellular extracts. The reasons for the specific pattern of mutagenesis are largely unknown. We have examined the specificity of UV-induced mutagenesis by replicating plasmid pLS189, irradiated with 40 J/m(2) UVC or unirradiated, in either xeroderma pigmentosum group A (XP-A) or HeLa cellular extracts. The XP-A extract displayed slightly lower replication ability, but produced a higher mutant frequency, compared to that of HeLa extract. Use of irradiated plasmid inhibited replication by an average of 63% and increased the mutant frequency by an average of 16.7-fold. Analysis of mutation spectra revealed nonrandom patterns of mutagenesis that differed significantly between HeLa and XP-A extracts. In comparison to HeLa extract, replication in XP-A extract resulted in lower frequencies of GC --> AT transitions and tandem double-base substitutions, and a higher frequency of deletions. Replication in HeLa extract produced hotspots at positions 100, 108, and 156 that were not produced by XP-A extract. Furthermore, XP-A extract produced hotspots at positions 124, 133, and 164, sites not characteristic of previous UV-induced mutagenesis studies using XPA-expressing cells. Addition of purified XPA protein to reactions containing XP-A extract altered each of these parameters, including loss of the hotspots at positions 124 and 133, to yield a more HeLa-like spectrum. These results indicate a previously uncharacterized role of the XPA protein in influencing the specificity of UV-induced mutagenesis during DNA replication.

UV-induced hyperphosphorylation of replication protein a depends on DNA replication and expression of ATM protein.

Exposure to DNA-damaging agents triggers signal transduction pathways that are thought to play a role in maintenance of genomic stability. A key protein in the cellular processes of nucleotide excision repair, DNA recombination, and DNA double-strand break repair is the single-stranded DNA binding protein, RPA. We showed previously that the p34 subunit of RPA becomes hyperphosphorylated as a delayed response (4-8 h) to UV radiation (10-30 J/m(2)). Here we show that UV-induced RPA-p34 hyperphosphorylation depends on expression of ATM, the product of the gene mutated in the human genetic disorder ataxia telangiectasia (A-T). UV-induced RPA-p34 hyperphosphorylation was not observed in A-T cells, but this response was restored by ATM expression. Furthermore, purified ATM kinase phosphorylates the p34 subunit of RPA complex in vitro at many of the same sites that are phosphorylated in vivo after UV radiation. Induction of this DNA damage response was also dependent on DNA replication; inhibition of DNA replication by aphidicolin prevented induction of RPA-p34 hyperphosphorylation by UV radiation. We postulate that this pathway is triggered by the accumulation of aberrant DNA replication intermediates, resulting from DNA replication fork blockage by UV photoproducts. Further, we suggest that RPA-p34 is hyperphosphorylated as a participant in the recombinational postreplication repair of these replication products. Successful resolution of these replication intermediates reduces the accumulation of chromosomal aberrations that would otherwise occur as a consequence of UV radiation.

2,4,4'-trichlorobiphenyl increases STAT5 transcriptional activity.

The promoting effects of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have been studied extensively in a variety of two-stage carcinogenesis models. However, the molecular mechanisms responsible for the promotion effects of PCBs have not been elucidated. We measured the effect of PCBs on DNA-binding proteins involved in cell proliferation and transformation. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were injected intraperitoneally with mono-, di-, tri-, tetra-, or hexachlorobiphenyls (300 micromol/kg/d) each day for 4 d and killed 4 h after the last injection. To detect alterations in nuclear proteins that could explain the tumor-promoter activity of PCBs, liver nuclear extracts were analyzed by electrophoretic mobility shift assays. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay analysis of signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT)-binding activity to a consensus gamma-interferon-activated sequence (GAS) element was compared in liver nuclear extracts from treated rats. STAT-binding activity was eightfold to tenfold higher in nuclear extracts from animals treated with 2,4,4'-trichloro- (PCB 28) and 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (PCB 153). Analysis of the protein complex binding to the GAS element, with antibodies specific for STAT3, STAT5, and STAT6, indicated that the protein complex was made up of STAT5 and STAT6 proteins. HepG2 cells transiently transfected with a luciferase reporter gene construct containing many STAT5 binding sites were treated with PCB 28 and PCB 153. PCB 28 stimulated a greater than 25-fold increase in luciferase activity at the highest concentration tested, 1.0 microg/mL. However, enhanced luciferase activity did not occur with PCB 153 treatment. 4-Chlorobiphenyl (PCB 3), PCB 28, and PCB 153 treatment of Sprague-Dawley rats resulted in a large increase in protein binding to a consensus activated protein-1 (AP-1) element. However, 3,4-dichlorobiphenyl (PCB 12) and 3,3',4,4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl (PCB 77) treatments did not increase AP-1 transcription activity. Further analysis of the proteins binding to the AP-1 consensus sequence with antibodies specific for c-fos, junD, and junB indicated that the protein composition consists of junD proteins. These data showed functional differences between noncoplanar and coplanar PCBs with respect to STAT activation and AP-1-DNA binding.

Expression of ATM in ataxia telangiectasia fibroblasts rescues defects in DNA double-strand break repair in nuclear extracts.

Ataxia telangiectasia (A-T) is a human genetic disorder characterized by progressive cerebellar degeneration, hypersensitivity to ionizing radiation (IR), immunodeficiency, and high cancer risk. At the cellular level, IR sensitivity and increased frequency of spontaneous and IR-induced chromosomal breakage and rearrangements are the hallmarks of A-T. The ATM gene, mutated in this syndrome, has been cloned and codes for a protein sharing homology with DNA-PKcs, a protein kinase involved in DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair and DNA damage responses. The characteristics of the A-T cellular phenotypes and ATM gene suggest that ATM may play a role similar to that of DNA-PKcs in DSB repair and that there is a primary DNA repair defect in A-T cells. In the current study, the function of ATM in DNA DSB repair was evaluated in an in vitro system using two plasmids, carrying either an EcoRI-induced DSB within the lacZalpha gene or various endonuclease-induced DSB in the SupF suppressor tRNA gene. We found that the DSB repair efficiency in A-T nuclear extracts was comparable to, if not higher than, that in normal nuclear extracts. However, the repair fidelity in A-T nuclear extracts was decreased when repairing DSB with short 5' and 3' overhangs (<4 base pairs (bp)) or blunt ends, but not 5' 4-bp overhangs. Sequencing of the mutant plasmids revealed that deletions involving 1-6 nucleotide microhomologies were the major class of mutations in both A-T and normal extracts. However, the size of the deletions in plasmids from A-T nuclear extracts was larger than that from normal nuclear extracts. Expression of the ATM protein in A-T cells corrected the defect in DSB repair in A-T nuclear extracts. These results suggest that ATM plays a role in maintaining genomic stability by preventing the repair of DSB from an error-prone pathway.

Oxidative DNA damage induced by activation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs): implications for PCB-induced oxidative stress in breast cancer.

We have previously reported that mono- and dichlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) can be metabolized to dihydroxy compounds and further oxidized to reactive metabolites which form adducts with nitrogen and sulfur nucleophiles including DNA [Amaro et al. (1966) Chem. Res. Toxicol. 9, 623-629; Oakley et al. (1996) Carcinogenesis 17, 109-114]. The former studies also demonstrated that during the metabolism of PCBs superoxide may be produced. We have therefore examined the abilities of PCB metabolites to induce free radical-mediated oxidative DNA damage using a newly developed, highly sensitive, 32P-postlabeling assay for 8-oxode-oxyguanosine (8-oxodG) [Devanaboyina, U., and Gupta, R. (1996) Carcinogenesis 17, 917-924]. The incubation of 3,4-dichloro-2'5'-dihydroxybiphenyl (100 microM) with calf thymus DNA (300 micrograms/microL) in the presence of the breast tissue and milk-associated enzyme, lactoperoxidase (10 mU/mL), and H2O2 (0.5 mM) resulted in a significant increase in free radical-induced DNA damage (253 8-oxodG/10(6) nucleotides) as compared to vehicle-treated DNA (118 8-oxodG/10(6) nucleotides). Substituting CuCl(2) (100 microM) for lactoperoxidase/H2O2, however, resulted in a substantial increase in 8-oxodG content (2669 8-oxodG/10(6) nucleotides). FeCl(3) was ineffective, suggesting that CuCl(2) but not FeCl(3) mediates oxidation of PCB dihydroxy metabolites, resulting in oxidative DNA damage. The addition of catalase (100 U/mL) and sodium azide (0.1 M) reduced the effect of CuCl(2) (849 and 896 8-oxodG/10(6) nucleotides, respectively), while superoxide dismutase (600 U/mL) moderately stimulated and glutathione (100 microM) substantially stimulated 8-oxodG formation (3014 and 4415 8-oxodG/10(6) nucleotides, respectively). The effect of various buffers as well as the effects of PCB structure on Cu(II)-mediated oxidative DNA damage were examined. These results demonstrate that free radicals and oxidative DNA damage are produced during oxidation of lower chlorinated biphenyls. The relevance of the results is discussed in view of the recent report that increased oxidative DNA base damage is detected in the DNA of human breast tumor tissue.

Metabolic activation of PCBs to quinones: reactivity toward nitrogen and sulfur nucleophiles and influence of superoxide dismutase.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) may undergo cytochrome P-450-catalyzed hydroxylations to form chlorinated dihydroxybiphenyl metabolites. When the hydroxyl groups are ortho or para to each other, oxidation to a quinone may be catalyzed by peroxidases present within the cell. In order to study the reactivity of PCB-derived quinones, selected chlorophenyl 1,2- and 1,4-benzoquinones were synthesized and characterized, including their reduction potentials against a saturated calomel electrode. Two quinones, 4-(4'-chlorophenyl)-1,2-, and 4-(3',4'-dichlorophenyl)-1,2-benzoquinone, were obtained via the oxidation of the corresponding dihydroxybiphenyls with 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone. Six 1,4-benzoquinones were synthesized via the Meerwein arylation: 2-(2'-chlorophenyl)-1,4-, 2-(3'-chlorophenyl)-1,4-, 2-(4'-chlorophenyl)-1,4-, 2-(2',5'-dichlorophenyl)-1,4-, 2-(3',4'-dichlorophenyl)-1,4-, and 2-(3',5'-dichlorophenyl)-1,4-benzoquinone. As a model study, the rate of reactivity of 2-(4'-chlorophenyl)-1,4-benzoquinone toward the nitrogen nucleophiles glycine, L-arginine, L-histidine- and L-lysine was determined under pseudo-first-order conditions at pH 7.4. The rate constants ranged from 0.45 to 0.75 min-1 M-1. Higher rates were obtained under conditions of higher pH. Two reaction products were identified as the 5- and 6-ring addition products in the ratio of 1:4. In contrast, the reaction of 2-(4'-chlorophenyl)-1,4-benzoquinone with the sulfur nucleophiles glutathione or N-acetyl-L-cysteine was instantaneous. The major product of the reaction of glutathione with 2-(4'-chlorophenyl)-1,4-benzoquinone was also the 6-ring addition product. The hydroquinone thioether could be enzymatically reoxidized to the quinone thioether. Also, the influence of atmospheric oxygen and superoxide dismutase on the rates of the following horseradish peroxidase/H2O2-catalyzed oxidations was investigated: 3,4-dichloro-2',5'-dihydroxybiphenyl to 2-(3',4'-dichlorophenyl)-1,4-benzoquinone and 3,4-dichloro-3',4'-dihydroxybiphenyl to 4-(3',4'-dichlorophenyl)-1,2-benzoquinone. While the presence or absence of atmospheric oxygen did not alter the rates of the oxidation reactions, the presence of superoxide dismutase significantly increased the rates of both oxidation reactions, having the greater effect on the oxidation of the 1,4-hydroquinone. These data show that PCB-derived quinones react with both nitrogen and sulfur nucleophiles of the cell and may explain, in part, the toxic effects of individual PCBs and PCB formulations, such as glutathione depletion, oxidative stress, and cell death.

Analysis of polychlorinated biphenyl-DNA adducts by 32P-postlabeling.

Previous studies reported that metabolic activation of certain polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) resulted in binding to protein, RNA and DNA fractions. However, the formation of DNA adducts has not been demonstrated nor have methods been optimized for the detection of such adducts. In the present study we investigated activation and binding to DNA of lower chlorinated biphenyls using 32P-postlabeling. The incubation of 2-chloro-, 3-chloro-, 3,4-dichloro- and 3,4,5-trichlorobiphenyl with calf thymus DNA and liver microsomes from rats treated with phenobarbital and 3-methylcholanthrene, followed by oxidation with a peroxidase, produced 1-3 major adducts. Reaction of deoxyguanosine 3'-monophosphate with metabolites of the congeneric chlorinated biphenyls produced adducts with similar chromatographic mobility as those with DNA, suggesting that guanine was the preferential site of attack. Furthermore butanol and nuclease P1 enrichments showed different adduct recoveries, depending upon the the chlorobiphenyl. Adducts derived from incubations with monochlorobiphenyls were recovered 2- to 3-fold higher with butanol, while the recovery of di- and tri-chlorobiphenyl adducts was 5- to 7-fold higher with nuclease P1. DNA adducts formed during the metabolism of 3,4-dichlorobiphenyl were reduced by the sulfur nucleophiles, glutathione and N-acetyl-L-cysteine, suggesting that reactive semiquinone(s) or quinone(s) are involved. In contrast, the addition of superoxide dismutase increased adduct formation, suggesting that the quinone metabolites are responsible for the major adducts formed. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that lower chlorinated biphenyls are metabolically activated to electrophilic quinoid species which bind to DNA.