Genomic structure and chromosomal localization of the mouse Ogg1 gene that is involved in the repair of 8-hydroxyguanine in DNA damage

Mitochondrial DNA Damage and Its Repair Mechanisms in Aging Oocytes

The efficacy of assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) in older women remains constrained, largely due to an incomplete understanding of the underlying pathophysiology. This review aims to consolidate the current knowledge on age-associated mitochondrial alterations and their implications for ovarian aging, with an emphasis on the causes of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations, their repair mechanisms, and future therapeutic directions. Relevant articles published up to 30 September 2024 were identified through a systematic search of electronic databases. The free radical theory proposes that reactive oxygen species (ROS) inflict damage on mtDNA and impair mitochondrial function essential for ATP generation in oocytes. Oocytes face prolonged pressure to repair mtDNA mutations, persisting for up to five decades. MtDNA exhibits limited capacity for double-strand break repair, heavily depending on poly ADP-ribose polymerase 1 (PARP1)-mediated repair of single-strand breaks. This process depletes nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) and ATP, creating a detrimental cycle where continued mtDNA repair further compromises oocyte functionality. Interventions that interrupt this destructive cycle may offer preventive benefits. In conclusion, the cumulative burden of mtDNA mutations and repair demands can lead to ATP depletion and elevate the risk of aneuploidy, ultimately contributing to ART failure in older women.

Catalytic activity of OGG1 is impaired by Zinc deficiency

Oxidative stress-induced DNA base modifications, if unrepaired, can increase mutagenesis and genomic instability, ultimately leading to cell death. Cells predominantly use the base excision repair (BER) pathway to repair oxidatively-induced non-helix distorting lesions. BER is initiated by DNA glycosylases, such as 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase (OGG1), which repairs oxidatively modified guanine bases, including 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG) and ring-opened formamidopyrimidine lesions, 2,6-diamino-4-hydroxy-5-formamidopyrimidine (FapyG). The OGG1 protein contains a C2H2 zinc (Zn) finger DNA binding domain. However, the impact of dietary Zn deficiency on OGG1 catalytic activity has not been extensively studied. Zn is a common nutrient of concern with increasing age, and the prevalence of oxidative DNA damage is also concurrently increased during aging. Thus, understanding the potential regulation of OGG1 activity by Zn is clinically relevant. The present study investigates the impact of a range of Zn statuses, varying from severe Zn deficiency to exogenous Zn-supplementation, in the context of young and aged animals to determine the impact of dietary Zn-status on OGG1 activity and oxidative DNA damage in mice. Our findings suggest that nutritional Zn deficiency impairs OGG1 activity and function, without altering gene expression, and that aging further exacerbates these effects. These results have important implications for nutritional management of Zn during aging to mitigate age-associated DNA damage.

Repair of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells: Properties and biological roles of the Fpg and OGG1 DNA N-glycosylases

Oxidatively damaged DNA results from the attack of sugar and base moieties by reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are formed as byproducts of normal cell metabolism and during exposure to endogenous or exogenous chemical or physical agents. Guanine, having the lowest redox potential, is the DNA base the most susceptible to oxidation, yielding products such as 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine (8-oxoG) and 2-6-diamino-4-hydroxy-5-formamidopyrimidine (FapyG). In DNA, 8-oxoG was shown to be mutagenic yielding GC to TA transversions upon incorporation of dAMP opposite this lesion by replicative DNA polymerases. In prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, 8-oxoG is primarily repaired by the base excision repair pathway (BER) initiated by a DNA N-glycosylase, Fpg and OGG1, respectively. In Escherichia coli, Fpg cooperates with MutY and MutT to prevent 8-oxoG-induced mutations, the "GO-repair system". In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, OGG1 cooperates with nucleotide excision repair (NER), mismatch repair (MMR), post-replication repair (PRR) and DNA polymerase η to prevent mutagenesis. Human and mouse cells mobilize all these pathways using OGG1, MUTYH (MutY-homolog also known as MYH), MTH1 (MutT-homolog also known as NUDT1), NER, MMR, NEILs and DNA polymerases η and λ, to prevent 8-oxoG-induced mutations. In fact, mice deficient in both OGG1 and MUTYH develop cancer in different organs at adult age, which points to the critical impact of 8-oxoG repair on genetic stability in mammals. In this review, we will focus on Fpg and OGG1 proteins, their biochemical and structural properties as well as their biological roles. Other DNA N-glycosylases able to release 8-oxoG from damaged DNA in various organisms will be discussed. Finally, we will report on the role of OGG1 in human disease and the possible use of 8-oxoG DNA N-glycosylases as therapeutic targets.

Deficiency of base excision repair enzyme NEIL3 drives increased predisposition to autoimmunity

Alterations in the apoptosis of immune cells have been associated with autoimmunity. Here, we have identified a homozygous missense mutation in the gene encoding the base excision repair enzyme Nei endonuclease VIII-like 3 (NEIL3) that abolished enzymatic activity in 3 siblings from a consanguineous family. The NEIL3 mutation was associated with fatal recurrent infections, severe autoimmunity, hypogammaglobulinemia, and impaired B cell function in these individuals. The same homozygous NEIL3 mutation was also identified in an asymptomatic individual who exhibited elevated levels of serum autoantibodies and defective peripheral B cell tolerance, but normal B cell function. Further analysis of the patients revealed an absence of LPS-responsive beige-like anchor (LRBA) protein expression, a known cause of immunodeficiency. We next examined the contribution of NEIL3 to the maintenance of self-tolerance in Neil3-/- mice. Although Neil3-/- mice displayed normal B cell function, they exhibited elevated serum levels of autoantibodies and developed nephritis following treatment with poly(I:C) to mimic microbial stimulation. In Neil3-/- mice, splenic T and B cells as well as germinal center B cells from Peyer's patches showed marked increases in apoptosis and cell death, indicating the potential release of self-antigens that favor autoimmunity. These findings demonstrate that deficiency in NEIL3 is associated with increased lymphocyte apoptosis, autoantibodies, and predisposition to autoimmunity.

Regulation of DNA repair by S-nitrosylation

BACKGROUND

Expression of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is commonly induced in inflammation, an important risk factor of cancer. Nitric oxide (NO) and related reactive nitrogen species can directly cause DNA damage to increase DNA mutation. They can also indirectly affect DNA mutation by modulation of DNA repair proteins, in particular through protein S-nitrosylation, a key regulatory mechanism of NO.

SCOPE OF REVIEW

Here we review protein targets, molecular mechanisms, and potential roles of NO in the regulation of DNA repair, with a focus on S-nitrosylation of DNA repair proteins by endogenous NO synthase activity.

MAJOR CONCLUSIONS

Recent studies have identified a number of key DNA repair proteins as targets of S-nitrosylation, including O(6)-alkylguanine-DNA-alkyltransferase (AGT), 8-oxoguanine glycosylase, apurinic-apyrimidinic endonuclease 1, and DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit. S-nitrosylation has been shown to modulate the activity, stability, and cellular localization of DNA repair proteins. The level of protein S-nitrosylation depends both on NO synthesis by NO synthases and on denitrosylation by a major denitrosylase, S-nitrosoglutathione reductase (GSNOR). Dysregulated S-nitrosylation of AGT due to GSNOR deficiency inactivates AGT-dependent DNA repair and appears to contribute critically to hepatocarcinogenesis.

GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE

Studies on the S-nitrosylation of DNA repair proteins have started to reveal molecular mechanisms for the contribution of inflammation to mutagenesis and carcinogenesis. The modulation of protein S-nitrosylation to affect the activity of DNA repair proteins may provide a therapeutic strategy to prevent DNA damage and mutation frequently associated with chronic inflammation and to sensitize cancer cells to DNA-damaging drugs. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Regulation of Cellular Processes by S-nitrosylation.

Alcohol consumption and oxidative DNA damage

To examine the effects of alcohol consumption on cancer risk, we measured oxidative DNA damage and its repair activity in the livers and esophagi of rats fed with ethanol. Using our previously designed protocol for feeding rats with a high concentration of ethanol, we examined the effects of ethanol consumption on 8-oxo-Gua generation and repair activity in the livers and esophagi of rats. We found that a high concentration of ethanol accompanied with a vitamin-depleted diet increased 8-oxo-Gua and its repair activity. 8-Oxo-Gua is known to induce point mutations, leading to carcinogenesis. Therefore, these results suggested that a high concentration of ethanol and an irregular diet increased liver and esophageal cancer risk. On the other hand, we showed that a low concentration of ethanol decreased 8-oxo-Gua and its repair activity in the livers of mice treated with a carcinogen. Taken together, the effects of ethanol consumption on cancer risk depend on the ethanol concentration and the diet pattern.

Induced nitric oxide synthase as a major player in the oncogenic transformation of inflamed tissue

Nitric oxide (NO) is a free radical that is involved in the inflammatory process and carcinogenesis. There are four nitric oxide synthase enzymes involved in NO production: induced nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), endothelial NO synthase (eNOS), neural NO synthase (nNOS), and mitochondrial NOS. iNOS is an inducible and key enzyme in the inflamed tissue. Recent literatures indicate that NO as well as iNOS and eNOS can modulate cancer-related events including nitro-oxidative stress, apoptosis, cell cycle, angio-genesis, invasion, and metastasis. This chapter focuses on linking NO/iNOS/eNOS to inflammation and carcinogenesis from experimental evidence to potential targets on cancer prevention and treatment.

Light-dependent mutagenesis by benzo[a]pyrene is mediated via oxidative DNA damage

Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) is an environmental carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH). Mammalian enzymes such as cytochrome P-450s and epoxide hydrase convert B[a]P to reactive metabolites that can covalently bind to DNA. However, some carcinogenic compounds that normally require metabolic activation can also be directly photoactivated to mutagens. To examine whether B[a]P is directly mutagenic in the presence of light, we exposed Salmonella typhimurium strains with different DNA repair capacities to B[a]P and white fluorescent light at wavelengths of 370-750 nm. B[a]P plus light significantly enhanced the number of His+ revertants. Mutagenesis was completely light-dependent and required no exogenous metabolic activation. The order of mutability of strains with different DNA repair capacities was strain YG3001 (uvrB, mutMST) >> strain TA1535 (uvrB) > strain YG3002 (mutMST) > strain TA1975. The uvrB gene product is involved in the excision repair of bulky DNA adducts, and the mutMST gene encodes 8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG) DNA glycosylase, which removes 8-oxoG from DNA. Introduction of a plasmid carrying the mOgg1 gene that is the mouse counterpart of mutMST substantially reduced the light-mediated mutagenicity of B[a]P in strain YG3001. B[a]P plus light induced predominantly G:C --> T:A and G:C --> C:G transversions. We propose that B[a]P can directly induce bulky DNA adducts if light is present, and that the DNA adducts induce oxidative DNA damage, such as 8-oxoG, when exposed to light. These findings have implications for the photocarcinogenicity of PAHs.

Cell cycle regulation of the murine 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase (mOGG1): mOGG1 associates with microtubules during interphase and mitosis

8-Oxoguanine DNA glycosylase (OGG1) is a major DNA repair enzyme in mammalian cells. OGG1 participates in the repair of 8-oxoG, the most abundant known DNA lesion induced by endogenous reactive oxygen species in aerobic organisms. In this study, antibodies directed against purified recombinant human OGG1 (hOGG1) or murine (mOGG1) protein were chemically conjugated to either the photosensitizer Rose Bengal or the fluorescent dye Texas red. These dye-protein conjugates, in combination with binding assays, were used to identify associations between mOGG1 and the cytoskeleton of NIH3T3 fibroblasts. Results from these binding studies showed that mOGG1 associates with the cytoskeleton by specifically binding to the centriole and microtubules radiating from the centrosome at interphase and the spindle assembly at mitosis. Similar results were obtained with hOGG1. Together results reported in this study suggest that OGG1 is a microtubule-associated protein itself or that OGG1 utilizes yet to be identified motor proteins to ride on microtubules as tracks facilitating the movement and redistribution of cytoplasmic OGG1 pools during interphase and mitosis and in response to oxidative DNA damage.

Detection of a mouse OGG1 fragment during caspase-dependent apoptosis: oxidative DNA damage and apoptosis

We investigated the expression of mouse 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase 1 (mOGG1) in mouse non-parenchymal hepatocytes (NCTC) during etoposide- or mitomycin C (MMC)-induced apoptosis. We observed mOGG1 fragmentation in apoptotic cells. The apoptosis accompanying the fragmentation of mOGG1 was caspase-dependent. The mOGG1 fragment existed in both the cytoplasm and nucleus of the etoposide-treated NCTC, indicating that the mOGG1 fragment could be transferred into the nucleus. In addition, 8-hydroxyguanine (8-OH-Gua, 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanine) accumulated in the DNA of NCTC treated with etoposide, suggesting that the mOGG1 fragment might not function as a normal repair enzyme in etoposide-treated NCTC. Although we have not clarified in detail the mechanism and the significance of the mOGG1 fragmentation, further study of the fragmentation of DNA repair enzymes might provide insights into the relationship between oxidative DNA damage and apoptosis.

Immunofluorescent localization of the murine 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase (mOGG1) in cells growing under normal and nutrient deprivation conditions

OGG1 is a major DNA glycosylase in mammalian cells, participating in the repair of 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanine (8-oxoguanine, 8-oxoG), the most abundant known DNA lesion induced by endogenous reactive oxygen species in aerobic organisms. 8-oxoG is therefore often used as a marker for oxidative DNA damage. In this study, polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies were raised against the purified wild-type recombinant murine 8-oxoG DNA glycosylase (mOGG1) protein and their specificity against the native enzyme and the SDS-denatured mOGG1 polypeptide were characterized. Specific antibodies directed against the purified wild-type recombinant mOGG1 were used to localize in situ this DNA repair enzyme in established cell lines (HeLa cells, NIH3T3 fibroblasts) as well as in primary culture mouse embryo fibroblasts growing under either normal or oxidative stress conditions. Results from these studies showed that mOGG1 is localized to the nucleus and the cytoplasm of mammalian cells in culture. However, mOGG1 levels increase and primarily redistribute to the nucleus and its peripheral cytoplasm in cells exposed to oxidative stress conditions. Immunofluorescent localization results reported in this study suggest that susceptibility to oxidative DNA damage varies among mammalian tissue culture cells and that mOGG1 appears to redistribute once mOGG1 cell copy number increases in response to oxidative DNA damage.

Detection of a smaller, 32-kDa 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase 1 in 3'-methyl-4-dimethylamino-azobenzene-treated mouse liver

We previously reported that 3'-methyl-4-dimethylaminoazobenzene (3'-MeDAB) increased the 8-hydroxyguanine (8-OH-Gua) content in nuclear DNA and the base excision repair activity in mouse liver. However, to understand the mechanism of 3'-MeDAB carcinogenesis, a further investigation of the 8-OH-Gua repair systems was necessary. In this report, we examined the expression of the repair enzyme, 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase 1 (OGG1), in 3'-MeDAB-treated mouse liver. We prepared four kinds of anti-peptide polyclonal antibodies raised against mouse OGG1 (mOGG1). The sequences used as epitopes were designed from positions located close to the N-terminus, the nuclear localization signal (NLS), and the regions containing Lys(249) and Asp(267), which are involved in the catalytic mechanisms of mOGG1 (glycosylase and lyase, respectively). Immunoblotting, using all four antibodies, revealed a 32-kDa protein (mOGG1-32) in addition to the 38-kDa mOGG1 in the 3'-MeDAB-treated mouse liver. Moreover, immunostaining with mOGG1 antibody yielded strong, positive signals in the 3'-MeDAB-treated mouse liver nuclei. However, we could not detect any difference in the Ogg1 mRNA expression pattern. Although the function of mOGG1-32 remains unclear, these findings suggest that 3'-MeDAB may alter the function of the DNA repair protein, and this action may be related to 3'-MeDAB carcinogenesis.

Changes of 8-OH-dG levels in DNA and its base excision repair activity in rat lungs after inhalation exposure to hexavalent chromium

According to the toxicological and epidemiological studies, hexavalent chromium (Cr) is associated with increase of lung cancer risk. Genotoxic effects, such as chromosomal aberrations, and cellular oxidative DNA damage by reactive oxygen species produced by hexavalent Cr exposure may play an important role in its carcinogenesis. To clarify whether reactive oxygen species are involved in its mechanism, we examined the levels of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanine (8-OH-dG) and its base excision repair activities in the lung tissues of rats that repeatedly inhaled a sodium chromate solution mist for 1, 2, and 3 weeks. The levels of 8-OH-dG increased significantly in the lung tissues of the rats exposed for 1 week at the low concentration (0.18 mg/m(3), P<0.05), as compared with the controls. However, there was no difference in the 8-OH-dG levels at the higher concentration or with more than 2 weeks of exposure. The 8-OH-dG repair activities decreased in a dose-dependent manner during 2 weeks of exposure, on the contrary they recovered at 3 weeks of repeated exposure. These results suggest that the DNA damage caused by hexavalent Cr inhalation is induced by the generation of reactive oxygen species and by inhibition of base excision repair activity during the earlier phase of exposure. However, the 8-OH-dG levels and its repair activities recovered to the level of the controls in the latter inhalation exposure period.

Normal somatic hypermutation of Ig genes in the absence of 8-hydroxyguanine-DNA glycosylase

The hypermutation cascade in Ig V genes can be initiated by deamination of cytosine in DNA to uracil by activation-induced cytosine deaminase and its removal by uracil-DNA glycosylase. To determine whether damage to guanine also contributes to hypermutation, we examined the glycosylase that removes oxidized guanine from DNA, 8-hydroxyguanine-DNA glycosylase (OGG1). OGG1 has been reported to be overexpressed in human B cells from germinal centers, where mutation occurs, and could be involved in initiating Ab diversity by removing modified guanines. In this study, mice deficient in Ogg1 were immunized, and V genes from the H and kappa L chain loci were sequenced. Both the frequency of mutation and the spectra of nucleotide substitutions were similar in ogg1(-/-) and Ogg1(+/+) clones. More importantly, there was no significant increase in G:C to T:A transversions in the ogg1(-/-) clones, which would be expected if 8-hydroxyguanine remained in the DNA. Furthermore, Ogg1 was not up-regulated in murine B cells from germinal centers. These findings show that hypermutation is unaffected in the absence of Ogg1 activity and indicate that 8-hydroxyguanine lesions most likely do not cause V gene mutations.

Exposure to chronic, low-dose rate gamma-radiation at Chornobyl does not induce point mutations in Big Blue mice

Empirical genetic effects resulting from low-dose rate irradiation and chronic, cumulative exposure are poorly characterized. Expected effects are based on epidemiological studies and downward, linear extrapolations from nonthreshold models derived from acute, high-dose exposures. These extrapolations and their associated risk coefficients have no experimental support, and because of their inherent uncertainty they are the subject of considerable debate. The expectation of deleterious genetic effects resulting from low-dose rate irradiation and chronic exposure is in need of empirical assessment because this type of exposure is typical of those encountered in occupational, residential, and environmental settings. Recent acute low-dose (<10 cGy) studies using cytogenetic and point mutation endpoints indicate that observed effects range from those lower than spontaneous to an increase in the frequency of point mutations. Using the Big Blue assay, we examined the ability of chronic, continuous gamma-irradiation (2.3 x 10(-3) cGy/min) in the Chornobyl environment to induce point mutations. This system has demonstrated a significant point mutation sensitivity (4.5-fold increase) to acute, high-dose (1-3 Gy) gamma-radiation. Mutant frequencies and the mutation spectra were examined in exposed and reference samples of Big Blue mice following 90 days exposure (cumulative absorbed dose = 3 Gy) to the Chornobyl environment. No significant increase in the mutant frequency or bias in the mutational spectrum was observed in exposed individuals. This finding suggests that low-dose rate gamma-irradiation at Chornobyl does not induce point mutations and that cumulative, chronically absorbed doses do not induce the same genetic effects as acute doses of the same magnitude.

Absolute quantitation of normal and ROS-induced patterns of gene expression: an in vivo real-time PCR study in mice

Most studies using real-time PCR are taken semiquantitatively and assume a steady level of expression forthe so-called housekeeping genes. By absolute real-time PCR we demonstrate that the transcript amounts of two of the most popular internall controls (coding GAPDH and beta-actin) fluctuate dramatically across diverse mouse or human tissues. This raises the question about the inaccuracy of these genes a squantitative references in tissue-specific mRNA profiling. Target genes chosen for absolute real-time PCR analysis are involved in DNA repair, regulation of gene expression, and oxidative stress response. Hence, they code for 8-oxoG-DNA glycosylase/AP-lyase, major AP-endonuclease, and heme oxygenase-1. Quantitations reported: i) determine mouse-to-mouse variability in basal gene expression, ii) establish organ- and embryo-associated differences in mouse, iii) compare mouse and human tissue-specific profiles, iv) examine the time course (30-240 min) expression in liver and lung of mice treated with paraquat (superoxide generator) at 30 mg kg(-1) (one half LD50 value), and v) explore the utility of absolute real-time PCR in field studies with genetically diverse mice. We conclusively establish that real-time PCR is a highly sensitive and reproducible technique for absolute quantitation of transcript levels in vivo and propose its use to quantitate gene expression modulation under mild physiological exposures and for field epidemiological studies.

Biological consequences of free radical-damaged DNA bases

The principal oxidized cytosine bases, uracil glycol, 5-hydroxycytosine, and 5-hydroxyuracil, are readily bypassed, miscode, and are thus important premutagenic lesions. Similarly the principal oxidation product of guanine, 8-oxoguanine, miscodes with A and is a premutagenic lesion. Most of the thymine and adenine products that retain their ring structure primarily pair with their cognate bases and are not potent premutagenic lesions. Although thymine glycol pairs with its cognate base and is not mutagenic it significantly distorts the DNA molecule and is a lethal lesion. Ring fragmentation, ring contraction, and ring open products of both pyrimidines and purines block DNA polymerases and are potentially lethal lesions. Although these breakdown products have the potential to mispair during translesion synthesis, the mutational spectra of prokaryotic mutants defective in the pyrimidine-specific and/or purine-specific DNA glycosylases do not reflect that expected of the breakdown products. Taken together, the data suggest that the principal biological consequences of endogenously produced and unrepaired free radical-damaged DNA bases are mutations.

Detailed low-dose study of 1,1-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-2,2,2- trichloroethane carcinogenesis suggests the possibility of a hormetic effect

To obtain information on the effects of nongenotoxic carcinogens at low doses for human cancer risk assessment, the carcinogenic potential of the organochlorine insecticide, 1,1-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-2,2,2-trichloroethane (DDT), in the liver was assessed in F344 rats. In experiment 1, 240 male animals, 21 days old, were administered 0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 5.0, 20, 100 and 500 ppm DDT in the diet for 16 weeks. Experiment 2 was conducted to elucidate the carcinogenic potential of DDT at lower levels using 180 rats given doses of 0, 0.005, 0.01, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.5 ppm. The livers of all animals were immunohistochemically examined for expression of glutathione S-transferase placental form (GST-P), putative preneoplastic lesions. Quantitative values for GST-P-positive foci in the liver were increased dose-dependently in rats given 20 ppm DDT and above with statistical significance as compared with the concurrent control value. In contrast, doses of 0.005 and 0.01 ppm were associated with a tendency for decrease below the control value, although not significantly. Western blotting analysis show that cytochrome P-450 3A2 (CYP3A2) protein expression tended to decrease at 0.005 and 0.01 ppm, a good correlation being observed with the change in the number of GST-P-positive foci. These findings suggest that a DDT hepatocarcinogenicity may show nonlinear response, that is, hormetic response at low doses. Furthermore, since CYP3A2 protein expression appears to be important for the effects of phenobarbital and the alpha-isomer of benzene hexachloride, mRNAs for IL-1 receptor type 1 (IL-1R1) and TNF-alpha receptor type 1 (TNFR1) whose ligands have roles not only in downregulating CYP3A2 expression but also in inducing antiproliferative effect or apoptosis in hepatocyte were examined. Increase was observed at low doses of DDT. Oxidative stress in liver DNA, assessed in terms of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine as a marker, was also decreased. These findings suggest that the possible hormetic effect that was observed in our detailed low-dose study of DDT carcinogenesis, although not statistically significant, may be linked to levels of oxidative stress and proinflammatory cytokines.

Repair of 8-oxoguanine and Ogg1-incised apurinic sites in a CHO cell line

The repair mechanisms involved in the removal of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine (8-oxoG) in damaged DNA have been investigated using cell-free extracts or purified proteins. However, in vivo repair assays are required to further dissect mechanisms involved in the repair of 8-oxoG in the cellular context. In this study, we analyzed the removal of 8-oxoG from plasmids that contain a single 8-oxoG.C base pair in a sequence that can be transcribed (TS) or nontranscribed (NTS) in a chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell line. The results show that 8-oxoG located in a TS is removed faster than in a NTS, indicating transcription-coupled repair (TCR) of 8-oxoG in rodent cells. The results also show that CHO cells efficiently repair DNA molecules that contain an Ogg1-incised AP site, which is the first intermediate in the course of base excision repair of 8-oxoG.

Nitric oxide in gastrointestinal epithelial cell carcinogenesis: linking inflammation to oncogenesis

Chronic inflammation of gastrointestinal tissues is a well-recognized risk factor for the development of epithelial cell-derived malignancies. Although the inflammatory mediators linking chronic inflammation to carcinogenesis are numerous, current information suggests that nitric oxide (NO) contributes to carcinogenesis during chronic inflammation. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), expressed by both macrophages and epithelial cells during inflammation, generates the bioreactive molecule NO. In addition to causing DNA lesions, NO can directly interact with proteins by nitrosylation and nitosation reactions. The consequences of protein damage by NO appear to be procarcinogenic. For example, NO inhibits DNA repair enzymes such as human 8-oxodeoxyguanosine DNA glycosylase 1 and blocks apoptosis via nitrosylation of caspases. These cellular events permit DNA damage to accumulate, which is required for the numerous mutations necessary for development of invasive cancer. NO also promotes cancer progression by functioning as an angiogenesis factor. Strategies to inhibit NO generation during chronic inflammation or to scavenge reactive nitrogen species may prove useful in decreasing the risk of cancer development in chronic inflammatory gastrointestinal diseases.

Ntg2 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae repairs the oxidation products of 8-hydroxyguanine

In Escherichia coli, endonuclease III (endo III) repairs the oxidation products of 8-OHGua. However, the corresponding repair enzymes in eukaryotes have not been identified. Here we report that 8-hydroxyguanine (8-OHGua) is highly sensitive to further oxidation. We also show that Ntg2, a functional homolog of endo III in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is capable of nicking the irradiated duplex DNA containing 8-OHGua. Moreover, Ntg2 formed a stable complex with the DNA upon incubation with NaBH(4). In contrast, Ntg1, another functional homolog of endo III, showed no such activities. These findings indicate that Ntg2 is, at least in part, responsible for repairing the oxidation products of 8-OHGua in eukaryotic cells.

The OGG1 gene encodes a repair enzyme for oxidatively damaged DNA and is involved in human carcinogenesis

8-Hydroxyguanine (oh8G) is a major base lesion produced by reactive oxygen species. oh8G in DNA causes G:C to T:A transversions and, thus, could be responsible for mutations that lead to carcinogenesis. A human DNA glycosylase/AP lyase encoded by the OGG1 gene has an activity to remove directly oh8G from DNA, and suppresses the mutagenic effect of oh8G. OGG1 protein has a helix-hairpin-helix-GPD motif as a domain for both DNA binding and catalysis, a nuclear localization signal, and a mitochondria targeting signal. Among multiple OGG1 isoforms, OGG1-type la is expressed predominantly in human cells and repairs chromosomal DNA in the nucleus. Inactivation of the OGG1 gene in yeast and mice leads to elevated spontaneous mutation frequency in the cells. The human OGG1 gene maps to chromosome 3p26.2, and allelic deletions of this region occur frequently in a variety of human cancers. Moreover, the OGG1 gene is somatically mutated in some cancer cells and is highly polymorphic among human populations. Repair activities of some mutated and polymorphic OGG1 proteins are lower than those of wild-type OGG1-type la-Ser326 protein and, thus, could be involved in human carcinogenesis.

Zinc and the gene

A significant portion of cellular zinc is found in the nucleus where it appears to be critically involved in maintaining genetic stability and in the process of gene expression. With regard to gene expression zinc functions mechanistically at several levels but recent interest has focussed especially on the involvement of zinc in DNA transcription through the activity of transcription factors which contain specific zinc-finger regions which bind to DNA and, in conjunction with other families of transcription factors, control cell proliferation, differentiation and cell death. Because of the central importance of zinc in cell division and growth, considerable attention is paid to zinc as an essential trace element and much has been written concerning dietary sources of zinc and recommended dietary intakes of the metal.

Nitric oxide-mediated inhibition of DNA repair potentiates oxidative DNA damage in cholangiocytes

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Chronic inflammation, a risk factor for the development of bile duct cancer, induces inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) with nitric oxide (NO) generation, which promotes oxidative damage of DNA, a process that probably is important in the initiation and progression of malignancies. Because inhibition of DNA repair is required for accumulation of oxidative DNA lesions, our aim was to determine if NO also inhibits repair of oxidative DNA damage.

METHODS

A cholangiocarcinoma cell line and a cholangiocyte cell line were transfected with iNOS.

RESULTS

Extracts from transfected but not untransfected cells were unable to repair 8-oxodeoxyguanine (8-oxodG); this effect was irreversible because addition of dithiothreitol to cell extracts had no effect. NO inhibition of 8-oxodG repair was blocked by NO scavengers but not by peroxynitrite scavengers or inhibitors of the soluble guanylyl cyclase/protein kinase G pathway. NO also potentiated hydrogen peroxide-induced DNA damage. Finally, immunohistochemistry in human liver samples uniformly demonstrated de novo expression of iNOS and the presence of 3-nitrotyrosine and 8-oxodG formation in the biliary epithelia of 30 patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (a premalignant disease of the biliary tract) compared with controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Collectively, these data implicate NO-mediated inhibition of 8-oxodG base excision DNA repair processes as a mechanism potentiating DNA damage in human inflammatory diseases involving the biliary tract.

Adenine excisional repair function of MYH protein on the adenine:8-hydroxyguanine base pair in double-stranded DNA

Adenine paired with 8-hydroxyguanine (oh(8)G), a major component of oxidative DNA damage, is excised by MYH base excision repair protein in human cells. Since repair activity of MYH protein on an A:G mismatch has also been reported, we compared the repair activity of His(6)-tagged MYH proteins, expressed in Spodoptera frugiperda Sf21 cells, on A:oh(8)G and A:G mismatches by DNA cleavage assay and gel mobility shift assay. We also compared the repair ability of type 1 mitochondrial protein with type 2 nuclear protein, as well as of polymorphic type 1-Q(324) and 2-Q(310) proteins with type 1-H(324) and 2-H(310) proteins by DNA cleavage assay and complementation assay of an Escherichia coli mutM mutY strain. In a reaction buffer with a low salt (0-50 mM) concentration, adenine DNA glycosylase activity of type 2 protein was detected on both A:oh(8)G and A:G substrates. However, in a reaction buffer with a 150 mM salt concentration, similar to physiological conditions, the glycosylase activity on A:G, but not on A:oh(8)G, was extremely reduced and the binding activity of type 2 protein for A:G, but not for A:oh(8)G, was proportionally reduced. The glycosylase activity on A:oh(8)G and the ability to suppress spontaneous mutagenesis were greater for type 2 than type 1 enzyme. There was apparently no difference in the repair activities between the two types of polymorphic MYH proteins. These results indicate that human MYH protein specifically catalyzes the glycosylase reaction on A:oh(8)G under physiological salt concentrations.

Characterization of the hOGG1 promoter and its expression during the cell cycle

The human OGG1 gene codes for a 38kD protein with an antimutator activity related to its capacity to excise the mutagenic base 8-OH-Guanine from DNA. Mutant forms of this gene have been found in lung and kidney tumors. The determination of the start of transcription allowed the definition of the promoter sequences for the gene. By transient transfection and a luciferase reporter assay a 135 base pair region immediately upstream of the transcription start is shown to have full promoter activity. Two CpG islands and an Alu repeat were identified within the promoter and the 5' sequences of the transcribed region. The lack of TATA or CAAT boxes suggests that OGG1 is a housekeeping gene. Consistently, its expression, measured as the transcription from the promoter or as the enzymatic activity in cultured fibroblast cell lines, does not vary during the cell cycle.

Detection of 8-oxoG DNA glycosylase activity and OGG1 transcripts in the rat CNS

The oxoguanine DNA glycosylase (Ogg1) is a DNA repair enzyme that excises 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanine present in DNA damaged by oxidative stress. We have investigated the expression of the OGG1 gene in different regions of the rat CNS. Biochemical studies on brain homogenates of adult rats have shown that Ogg1 nicking activity is present at relatively similar levels in the cerebral cortex, the hypothalamus, the pons and the cerebellum. Following in situ hybridization with radiolabeled OGG1 cDNA or specific antisense oligonucleotides, OGG1 transcripts showed a widespread but heterogeneous distribution pattern among distinct brain regions of adult rats: high levels of this transcript were detected in the CA1-CA3 layers and the gyrus dentate of the hippocampal formation, the piriform cortex, the supraoptic nuclei, the olivary complex as well as in the pyramidal cells of layer V of the cortex and the Purkinje cells of the cerebellum. In peripheral organs such as the lungs, the stomach and the spleen, OGG1 transcript is however expressed in specific subpopulations of cells. Using a semi-quantitative reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction assay on total mRNA from the frontal cortex, OGG1 mRNA was determined to be expressed with relatively the same levels in 1-day-old and 7-day-old rats as well as in adult rats. These results provide evidence for the widespread expression of the OGG1 gene in developing and adult brains.

Transcription coupled repair of 8-oxoguanine in murine cells: the ogg1 protein is required for repair in nontranscribed sequences but not in transcribed sequences

To assess the role of the Ogg1 DNA glycosylase in the transcription-coupled repair (TCR) of the mutagenic lesion, 7, 8-dihydro-8oxoguanine (8-OxoG), we have investigated the removal of this lesion in wild-type and ogg1(-/-) null mouse embryo fibroblast (MEF) cell lines. We used nonreplicating plasmids containing a single 8-OxoG.C base pair in a different assay that allowed us to study the removal of 8-OxoG located in a transcribed sequence (TS) or in a nontranscribed sequence (NTS). The results show that the removal of 8-OxoG in a wild-type MEF cell line is faster in the TS than in the NTS, indicating TCR of 8-OxoG in murine cells. In the homozygous ogg1(-/-) MEF cell line, 8-OxoG was not removed from the NTS whereas there was still efficient 8-OxoG repair in the TS. Expression of the mouse Ogg1 protein in the homozygous ogg1(-/-) cell line restored the ability to remove 8-OxoG in the NTS. Therefore, we have demonstrated that Ogg1 is essential for the repair of 8-OxoG in the NTS but is not required in the TS. These results indicate the existence of an Ogg1-independent pathway for the TCR of 8-OxoG in vivo.

Analyses of oxidative DNA damage and its repair activity in the livers of 3'-methyl-4-dimethylaminoazobenzene-treated rodents

We measured the levels of 8-hydroxyguanine (8-OH-Gua) and its repair activity in the livers of the Donryu rat, the carcinogen-resistant DRH rat, and the ddy mouse, which were fed a 0.06% 3'-methyl-4-dimethylaminoazobenzene (3'-MeDAB)-containing diet. In a short-term rat experiment (maximum 2 months), 3'-MeDAB did not increase the 8-OH-Gua levels in the livers of the two rat strains, although it significantly increased the repair activity in only the Donryu rat liver at 1 and 2 months. After long-term 3'-MeDAB administration to the ddy mouse (8 months), the levels of 8-OH-Gua and its repair activity were increased in the liver by 3.6-fold and 1.6-fold, respectively. These experiments suggest that 3'-MeDAB increases 8-OH-Gua generation in rodent liver DNA and the 8-OH-Gua repair assay is a reliable marker of cellular oxidative stress induced by carcinogens.

The human OGG1 gene: structure, functions, and its implication in the process of carcinogenesis

A particularly important stress for all cells is the one produced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) that are formed as byproducts of cell metabolism. Among DNA damages induced by ROS, 8-hydroxyguanine (8-OH-G) is certainly the product that has retained most of the attention in the past few years. The biological relevance of 8-OH-G in DNA has been unveiled by the study of Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae genes involved in the neutralization of the mutagenic effects of 8-OH-G. These genes, fpg and mutY for E. coli and OGG1 for yeast, code for DNA glycosylases. Inactivation of any of those genes leads to a spontaneous mutator phenotype, characterized by the increase in GC to TA transversions. In yeast, the OGG1 gene encodes a DNA glycosylase/AP lyase that excises 8-OH-G from DNA. In human cells, the OGG1 gene is localized on chromosome 3p25 and encodes two forms of hOgg1 protein which result from an alternative splicing of a single messenger RNA. The alpha-hOgg1 protein has a nuclear localization whereas the beta-hOgg1 is targeted to the mitochondrion. Biochemical studies on the alpha-hOgg1 protein show that it is a DNA glycosylase/AP lyase that excises 8-OH-G and Fapy-G from gamma-irradiated DNA. Several approaches have been used to study the biological role of OGG1 in mammalian cells, ranging from its overexpression in cell lines to the generation of homozygous ogg1-/- null mice. Furthermore, to explore a possible role in the prevention of cancer, the cDNA coding for alpha-hOgg1 has been sequenced in human tumors. All these results point to 8-OH-G as an endogenous source of mutations in eukaryotes and to its likely involvement in the process of carcinogenesis. A review of the recent literature on the mammalian Ogg1 proteins, the main repair system involved in the elimination of this mutagenic lesion, is presented.

Urinary 8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine--source, significance and supplements

Oxidative damage to cellular biomolecules, in particular DNA, has been proposed to play an important role in a number of pathological conditions, including carcinogenesis. A much studied consequence of oxygen-centred radical damage to DNA is 8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG). Using numerous techniques, this lesion has been quantified in various biological matrices, most notably DNA and urine. Until recently, it was understood that urinary 8-oxodG derives solely from DNA repair, although the processes which may yield the modified deoxynucleoside have never been thoroughly discussed. This review suggests that nucleotide excision repair and the action of a specific endonuclease may, in addition to the nucleotide pool, contribute significantly to levels of 8-oxodG in the urine. On this basis, urinary 8-oxodG represents an important biomarker of generalised, cellular oxidative stress. Current data from antioxidant supplementation trials are examined and the potential for such compounds to modulate DNA repair is considered. It is stressed that further work is required to link DNA, serum and urinary levels of 8-oxodG such that the kinetics of formation and clearance may be elucidated, facilitating greater understanding of the role played by oxidative stress in disease.

Accumulation of premutagenic DNA lesions in mice defective in removal of oxidative base damage

DNA damage generated by oxidant byproducts of cellular metabolism has been proposed as a key factor in cancer and aging. Oxygen free radicals cause predominantly base damage in DNA, and the most frequent mutagenic base lesion is 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG). This altered base can pair with A as well as C residues, leading to a greatly increased frequency of spontaneous G.C-->T.A transversion mutations in repair-deficient bacterial and yeast cells. Eukaryotic cells use a specific DNA glycosylase, the product of the OGG1 gene, to excise 8-oxoG from DNA. To assess the role of the mammalian enzyme in repair of DNA damage and prevention of carcinogenesis, we have generated homozygous ogg1(-/-) null mice. These animals are viable but accumulate abnormal levels of 8-oxoG in their genomes. Despite this increase in potentially miscoding DNA lesions, OGG1-deficient mice exhibit only a moderately, but significantly, elevated spontaneous mutation rate in nonproliferative tissues, do not develop malignancies, and show no marked pathological changes. Extracts of ogg1 null mouse tissues cannot excise the damaged base, but there is significant slow removal in vivo from proliferating cells. These findings suggest that in the absence of the DNA glycosylase, and in apparent contrast to bacterial and yeast cells, an alternative repair pathway functions to minimize the effects of an increased load of 8-oxoG in the genome and maintain a low endogenous mutation frequency.

Expression and differential intracellular localization of two major forms of human 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase encoded by alternatively spliced OGG1 mRNAs

We identified seven alternatively spliced forms of human 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase (OGG1) mRNAs, classified into two types based on their last exons (type 1 with exon 7: 1a and 1b; type 2 with exon 8: 2a to 2e). Types 1a and 2a mRNAs are major in human tissues. Seven mRNAs are expected to encode different polypeptides (OGG1-1a to 2e) that share their N terminus with the common mitochondrial targeting signal, and each possesses a unique C terminus. A 36-kDa polypeptide, corresponding to OGG1-1a recognized only by antibodies against the region containing helix-hairpin-helix-PVD motif, was copurified from the nuclear extract with an activity introducing a nick into DNA containing 8-oxoguanine. A 40-kDa polypeptide corresponding to a processed form of OGG1-2a was detected in their mitochondria using antibodies against its C terminus. Electron microscopic immunocytochemistry and subfractionation of the mitochondria revealed that OGG1-2a locates on the inner membrane of mitochondria. Deletion mutant analyses revealed that the unique C terminus of OGG1-2a and its mitochondrial targeting signal are essential for mitochondrial localization and that nuclear localization of OGG1-1a depends on the NLS at its C terminus.

Base excision repair of 8-hydroxyguanine protects DNA from endogenous oxidative stress

A particularly important stress for all cells is the one produced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) that are formed as a byproduct of endogenous metabolism or the exposure to environmental oxidizing agents. An oxidatively damaged guanine, 8-hydroxyguanine (8-OH-G), is abundantly produced in DNA exposed to ROS. The biological relevance of this kind of DNA damage has been unveiled by the study of two mutator genes in E. coli, fpg and mutY. Both genes code for DNA glycosylases that cooperate to prevent the mutagenic effects of 8-OH-G. Inactivation of any of those two genes leads to a spontaneous mutator phenotype characterized by the exclusive increase in G:C to T:A transversions. In the simple eukaryote Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the OGG1 gene encodes an 8-OH-G DNA glycosylase which is the functional homolog of the bacterial fpg gene product. Moreover, the inactivation of OGG1 in yeast creates a mutator phenotype that is also specific for the generation of G:C to T:A transversions. The presence of such system in mammals has been confirmed by the cloning of the OGG1 gene coding for a human homolog of the yeast enzyme. Human cells also possess a MutY homolog encoded by the MYH gene. Analysis of the human OGG1 gene and its transcripts in normal and tumoral tissues reveals alternative splicing, polymorphisms and somatic mutations. The aim of this review is to summarize recent findings dealing with the biochemical properties and the biological functions of 8-OH-G DNA glycosylases in bacterial, yeast, insect and mammalian cells. These results point to 8-OH-G as an endogenous source of mutations and to its likely involvement in the process of carcinogenesis.

2-Hydroxyadenine, a mutagenic form of oxidative DNA damage, is not repaired by a glycosylase type mechanism in rat organs

Oxygen radicals are known to play a role in causing cellular DNA damage, which is involved in carcinogenesis. 8-Hydroxyguanine (8-OH-Gua) is a major form of oxidative DNA damage and is known as a useful marker of DNA oxidation. Recently, we found another type of oxidative DNA damage, 2-hydroxyadenine (2-OH-Ade), which has a mutation frequency comparable to that of 8-OH-Gua. We compared the repair activities for two types of oxidative DNA damage, 8-OH-Gua and 2-OH-Ade, in 7-week-old male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat organs. The repair activities were measured by an endonuclease nicking assay using 22 mer [32P]-end-labeled double-stranded DNA substrates, which contained either 8-OH-Gua (opposite C) or 2-OH-Ade (opposite T or C). In all of the SD rat organs we studied, the nicking activity for 2-OH-Ade was not detected, while that for 8-OH-Gua was clearly detected with the same conditions. Moreover, the 2-OH-Ade nicking activity was not induced in Wistar rat kidney extracts prepared after ferric nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA) treatment, which is known to increase 8-OH-Gua repair activity. These results suggest that 2-OH-Ade might not be repaired by the glycosylase type mechanism in mammalian cells.

Infrequent mutations of the hOGG1 gene, that is involved in the excision of 8-hydroxyguanine in damaged DNA, in human gastric cancer

DNA glycosylase, encoded by the hOGG1 gene, repairs 8-hydroxyguanine (oh8Gua), which is an oxidatively damaged mutagenic base. To clarify whether the DNA repair activity of hOGG1 protein is involved in gastric carcinogenesis, we examined 9 gastric cancer cell lines and 35 primary gastric cancers for mutations and genetic polymorphisms of the hOGG1 gene by polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism analysis. A G-to-A transition was detected in a gastric cancer cell line, MKN1. This nucleotide change caused the conversion of the amino acid from Arg to His at codon 154, which is located in a domain highly conserved among human, mouse, and yeast OGG1 proteins. No mutation was detected in primary gastric cancers. We compared the distribution of the polymorphic alleles associated with enzymatic activity (hOGG1-Ser326 vs. hOGG1-Cys326) between 35 gastric cancer patients and 42 healthy individuals. Although the frequency of the Cys326 allele, associated with low enzymatic activity, in gastric cancer patients was a little higher than that in healthy individuals, the difference did not reach statistical significance. These results suggest that low hOGG1 activity due to mutations and genetic polymorphisms is involved in the development of only a small subset of gastric cancers.