3-aminobenzanthrone, a human metabolite of the environmental pollutant 3-nitrobenzanthrone, forms DNA adducts after metabolic activation by human and rat liver microsomes: evidence for activation by cytochrome P450 1A1 and P450 1A2

Induction of the Antioxidant Response by the Transcription Factor NRF2 Increases Bioactivation of the Mutagenic Air Pollutant 3-Nitrobenzanthrone in Human Lung Cells

3-Nitrobenzanthrone (3-NBA) is a suspected human carcinogen present in diesel exhaust. It requires metabolic activation via nitroreduction in order to form DNA adducts and promote mutagenesis. We have determined that human aldo-keto reductases (AKR1C1-1C3) and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) contribute equally to the nitroreduction of 3-NBA in lung epithelial cell lines and collectively represent 50% of the nitroreductase activity. The genes encoding these enzymes are induced by the transcription factor NF-E2 p45-related factor 2 (NRF2), which raises the possibility that NRF2 activation exacerbates 3-NBA toxification. Since A549 cells possess constitutively active NRF2, we examined the effect of heterozygous (NRF2-Het) and homozygous NRF2 knockout (NRF2-KO) by CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing on the activation of 3-NBA. To evaluate whether NRF2-mediated gene induction increases 3-NBA activation, we examined the effects of NRF2 activators in immortalized human bronchial epithelial cells (HBEC3-KT). Changes in AKR1C1-1C3 and NQO1 expression by NRF2 knockout or use of NRF2 activators were confirmed by qPCR, immunoblots, and enzyme activity assays. We observed decreases in 3-NBA activation in the A549 NRF2 KO cell lines (53% reduction in A549 NRF2-Het cells and 82% reduction in A549 NRF2-KO cells) and 40-60% increases in 3-NBA bioactivation due to NRF2 activators in HBEC3-KT cells. Together, our data suggest that activation of the transcription factor NRF2 exacerbates carcinogen metabolism following exposure to diesel exhaust which may lead to an increase in 3-NBA-derived DNA adducts.

Co-exposure to polystyrene plastic beads and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon contaminants in fish gill (RTgill-W1) and intestinal (RTgutGC) epithelial cells derived from rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Microscopic plastic (MP) particles are a ubiquitous contaminant in aquatic environments, which may bind hydrophobic chemicals, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), altering their environmental fate and interactions with biota. Using rainbow trout gill (RTgill-W1) and intestinal (RTgutGC) epithelial cells we investigated the effects of polystyrene microbeads (PS-MBs; 220 nm) on the cyto- and genotoxicity of the environmental pollutants benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and 3-nitrobenzanthrone (3-NBA) over 48 h (0, 0.1, 1 and 10 μM). The Alamar Blue bioassay, used to assess cytotoxicity, showed that both pollutants significantly decreased cell viability by 10-20% at 10 μM in both cell lines after 48 h whereas PS-MBs (5 or 50 μg mL^-1) were non-toxic. Cytotoxicity in cells treated with PS-MBs together with BaP or 3-NBA were similar to those observed after exposure to BaP or 3-NBA alone. Using the formamidopyrimidine-DNA glycosylase (FPG)-modified comet assay 3-NBA, but not BaP, induced DNA damage in RTgutGC cells at 10 μM (∼10% tail DNA in the absence and ∼15% tail DNA in the presence of FPG versus ∼1% in controls), whereas PS-MBs alone showed no detrimental effects. Interestingly, comet formation was substantially increased (∼4-fold) when RTgutGC cells were exposed to PS-MBs (50 μg mL^-1) and 10 μM 3-NBA compared to cells treated with 3-NBA alone. Further, using ³²P-postlabelling we observed strong DNA adduct formation in 3-NBA-exposed RTgutGC cells (∼900 adducts/10⁸ nucleotides). 3-NBA-derived DNA adduct formation was significantly decreased (∼20%) when RTgutGC cells were exposed to MB and 3-NBA compared to cells treated with 3-NBA alone. Our results show that PS-MBs impact on the genotoxicity of 3-NBA, causing a significant increase in DNA damage as measured by the comet assay in the intestinal cell line, providing proof of principle that MPs may alter the genotoxic potential of PAHs in fish cells.

Role of Human Aldo-Keto Reductases in the Metabolic Activation of the Carcinogenic Air Pollutant 3-Nitrobenzanthrone

3-Nitrobenzanthrone (3-NBA) is a potent mutagen and suspected human carcinogen detected in diesel exhaust particulate and ambient air pollution. It requires metabolic activation via nitroreduction to promote DNA adduct formation and tumorigenesis. NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) has been previously implicated as the major nitroreductase responsible for 3-NBA activation, but it has recently been reported that human aldo-keto reductase 1C3 (AKR1C3) displays nitroreductase activity toward the chemotherapeutic agent PR-104A. We sought to determine whether AKR1C isoforms could display nitroreductase activity toward other nitrated compounds and bioactivate 3-NBA. Using discontinuous enzymatic assays monitored by UV-HPLC, we determined that AKR1C1-1C3 catalyze three successive two-electron nitroreductions toward 3-NBA to form the reduced product 3-aminobenzanthrone (3-ABA). Evidence of the nitroso- and hydroxylamino- intermediates were obtained by UPLC-HRMS. K_m, k_cat, and k_cat/ K_m values were determined for recombinant AKR1C and NQO1 and compared. We found that AKR1C1, AKR1C3, and NQO1 have very similar apparent catalytic efficiencies (8 vs 7 min^-1 mM^-1) despite the higher k_cat of NQO1 (0.058 vs 0.012 min^-1). AKR1C1-1C3 possess a K_m much lower than that of NQO1, which suggests that they may be more important than NQO1 at the low concentrations of 3-NBA to which humans are exposed. Given that inhalation represents the primary source of 3-NBA exposure, we chose to evaluate the relative importance of AKR1C1-1C3 and NQO1 in human lung epithelial cell lines. Our data suggest that the combined activities of AKR1C1-1C3 and NQO1 contribute equally to the reduction of 3-NBA in A549 and HBEC3-KT cell lines and together represent approximately 50% of the intracellular nitroreductase activity toward 3-NBA. These findings have significant implications for the metabolism of nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and suggest that the hitherto unrecognized nitroreductase activity of AKR1C enzymes should be further investigated.

The impact of p53 function on the metabolic activation of the carcinogenic air pollutant 3-nitrobenzanthrone and its metabolites 3-aminobenzanthrone and N-hydroxy-3-aminobenzanthrone in human cells

The tumour suppressor p53, encoded by TP53, is a key player in a wide network of signalling pathways. We investigated its role in the bioactivation of the environmental carcinogen 3-nitrobenzanthrone (3-NBA)found in diesel exhaust and its metabolites 3-aminobenzanthrone (3-ABA) and N-hydroxy-3-aminobenzanthrone (N-OH-3-ABA) in a panel of isogenic human colorectal HCT116 cells differing only with respect to their TP53 status [i.e. TP53(+/+), TP53(+/-), TP53(-/-), TP53(R248W/+) or TP53(R248W/-)]. As a measure of metabolic competence, DNA adduct formation was determined using 32P-postlabelling. Wild-type (WT) p53 did not affect the bioactivation of 3-NBA; no difference in DNA adduct formation was observed in TP53(+/+), TP53(+/-) and TP53(-/-) cells. Bioactivation of both metabolites 3-ABA and N-OH-3-ABA on the other hand was WT-TP53 dependent. Lower 3-ABA- and N-OH-3-ABA-DNA adduct levels were found in TP53(+/-) and TP53(-/-) cells compared to TP53(+/+) cells, and p53's impact was attributed to differences in cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1 expression for 3-ABA whereas for N-OH-3-ABA, an impact of this tumour suppressor on sulphotransferase (SULT) 1A1/3 expression was detected. Mutant R248W-p53 protein function was similar to or exceeded the ability of WT-p53 in activating 3-NBA and its metabolites, measured as DNA adducts. However, identification of the xenobiotic-metabolising enzyme(s) (XMEs), through which mutant-p53 regulates these responses, proved difficult to decipher. For example, although both mutant cell lines exhibited higher CYP1A1 induction after 3-NBA treatment compared to TP53(+/+) cells, 3-NBA-derived DNA adduct levels were only higher in TP53(R248W/-) cells but not in TP53(R248W/+) cells. Our results show that p53's influence on carcinogen activation depends on the agent studied and thereby on the XMEs that mediate the bioactivation of that particular compound. The phenomenon of p53 regulating CYP1A1 expression in human cells is consistent with other recent findings; however, this is the first study highlighting the impact of p53 on sulphotransferase-mediated (i.e. SULT1A1) carcinogen metabolism in human cells.

Formation of Covalent DNA Adducts by Enzymatically Activated Carcinogens and Drugs In Vitro and Their Determination by 32P-postlabeling

Covalent DNA adducts formed by chemicals or drugs with carcinogenic potency are judged as one of the most important factors in the initiation phase of carcinogenic processes. This covalent binding, which is considered the cause of tumorigenesis, is now evaluated as a central dogma of chemical carcinogenesis. Here, methods are described employing the reactions catalyzed by cytochrome P450 and additional biotransformation enzymes to investigate the potency of chemicals or drugs for their activation to metabolites forming these DNA adducts. Procedures are presented describing the isolation of cellular fractions possessing biotransformation enzymes (microsomal and cytosolic samples with cytochromes P450 or other biotransformation enzymes, i.e., peroxidases, NADPH:cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase, NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase, or xanthine oxidase). Furthermore, methods are described that can be used for the metabolic activation of analyzed chemicals by these enzymes as well as those for isolation of DNA. Further, the appropriate methods capable of detecting and quantifying chemical/drug-derived DNA adducts, i.e., different modifications of the ³²P-postlabeling technique and employment of radioactive-labeled analyzed chemicals, are shown in detail.

Synthesis of Oligodeoxynucleotides Containing a C8-2'-Deoxyguanosine Adduct Formed by the Carcinogen 3-Nitrobenzanthrone

This unit describes the detailed procedure in five parts for the synthesis of the C8-2'-deoxyguanosine-3-aminobenzanthrone adduct located in a desired site in an oligonucleotide. The synthesis of the protected 2'-deoxyguanosine, O⁶ -benzyl-N² -DMTr-3'-5'-bisTBDMS-C8-Br-2'-deoxyguanosine, is described in the first part. The synthesis of the reduced carcinogen 3-aminobenzanthrone is detailed in part two. The third part outlines the key step of the adduct formation between the reduced carcinogen and the protected nucleoside by a palladium-catalyzed cross coupling reaction. The final two parts describe phosphoramidite synthesis from the nucleoside-carcinogen adduct followed by its site-specific incorporation into DNA by solid-phase oligonucleotide synthesis. The adducted oligonucleotides are purified by reversed-phase HPLC and characterized by mass spectrometry. © 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Species-specific differences in peroxisome proliferation, catalase, and SOD2 upregulation as well as toxicity in human, mouse, and rat hepatoma cells induced by the explosive and environmental pollutant 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene

2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (TNT) has been widely used as an explosive substance and its toxicity is still of interest as it persisted in polluted areas. TNT is metabolized in hepatocytes which are prone to its toxicity. Since analysis of the human liver or hepatocytes is restricted due to ethical reasons, we investigated the effects of TNT on cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, peroxisome proliferation, and antioxidative enzymes in human (HepG2), mouse (Hepa 1-6), and rat (H4IIEC3) hepatoma cell lines. Under control conditions, hepatoma cells of all three species were highly comparable exhibiting identical proliferation rates and distribution of their cell cycle phases. However, we found strong differences in TNT toxicity with the lowest IC₅₀ values (highest cell death rate) for rat cells, whereas human and mouse cells were three to sevenfold less sensitive. Moreover, a strong decrease in cellular dehydrogenase activity (MTT assay) and increased ROS levels were noted. TNT caused peroxisome proliferation with rat hepatoma cells being most responsive followed by those from mouse and human. Under control conditions, rat cells contained fivefold higher peroxisomal catalase and mitochondrial SOD2 activities and a twofold higher capacity to reduce MTT than human and mouse cells. TNT treatment caused an increase in catalase and SOD2 mRNA and protein levels in human and mouse, but not in rat cells. Similarly, human and mouse cells upregulated SOD2 activity, whereas rat cells failed therein. We conclude that TNT induced oxidative stress, peroxisome proliferation and mitochondrial damage which are highest in rat cells rendering them most susceptible toward TNT. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 989-1006, 2017.

Genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of the environmental pollutant 3-nitrobenzanthrone on bladder cancer cells

3-Nitrobenzanthrone (3-NBA), a potential human carcinogen, is present in diesel exhaust. The main metabolite of 3-NBA, 3-aminobenzanthrone, was detected in urine of miners occupationally exposed to diesel emissions. Environmental and occupational factors play an important role in development of bladder cancer (BC), one of the most frequent malignancies. It is expected that exposure of urothelium to 3-NBA and its metabolites may induce BC initiation and/or progression. To test this hypothesis, we studied geno- and cytotoxicity of 3-NBA using an in vitro BC model. 3-NBA induced higher levels of DNA adducts, reactive oxygen species and DNA breaks in aggressive T24 cells than in more differentiated RT4 cells. To understand the nature of this difference we examined the role of several enzymes that were identified as 3-NBA bio activators. However, the difference in DNA adduct formation cannot be directly linked to the different activity of any of the examined enzymes. Conversely, the difference of tested cell lines in p53 status can partly explain the distinct levels of 3-NBA-DNA adducts and DNA damage induced by 3-NBA. Therefore, we assume that more aggressive T24 cells are more predisposed for DNA adduct formation, DNA damage and, possibly, mutations and as a result further tumorigenesis.

Vibrational and electronic spectra of 2-nitrobenzanthrone: An experimental and computational study

The environmental pollutant 2-nitrobenzanthrone (2-NBA) poses human health hazards, and is formed by atmospheric reactions of NOX gases with atmospheric particulates. Though its mutagenic effects have been studied in biological systems, its comprehensive spectroscopic experimental data are scarce. Thus, vibrational and optical spectroscopic analysis (UV-Vis, and fluorescence) of 2-NBA was studied using both experimental and density functional theory employing B3LYP method with 6-311+G(d,p) basis set. The scaled theoretical vibrational frequencies show good agreement to experiment to within ~5 cm(-1) and <20 cm(-1) for frequencies <1800 cm(-1) and 2700-3200 cm(-1), respectively. In addition, predictions of the DFT frequencies below 1800 cm(-1) yield an overall root mean square (RMS) of ±20.1 and ±20.6 cm(-1) for benzanthrone and 2-NBA, respectively. On the basis of normal coordinate analysis complete assignments of harmonic experimental infrared and Raman bands are made. The influence of the nitro group substitution upon the benzanthrone structure and symmetric CH vibrations, and electronic spectra is noted. This study is useful for the development of spectroscopy-mutagenicity relationships in nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

The Hepatic Reductase Null (HRN™) and Reductase Conditional Null (RCN) mouse models as suitable tools to study metabolism, toxicity and carcinogenicity of environmental pollutants

This review describes the applicability of the Hepatic Reductase Null (HRN) and Reductase Conditional Null (RCN) mouse models to study carcinogen metabolism.

Mechanisms of enzyme-catalyzed reduction of two carcinogenic nitro-aromatics, 3-nitrobenzanthrone and aristolochic acid I: Experimental and theoretical approaches

This review summarizes the results found in studies investigating the enzymatic activation of two genotoxic nitro-aromatics, an environmental pollutant and carcinogen 3-nitrobenzanthrone (3-NBA) and a natural plant nephrotoxin and carcinogen aristolochic acid I (AAI), to reactive species forming covalent DNA adducts. Experimental and theoretical approaches determined the reasons why human

NAD(P)H

quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1) and cytochromes P450 (CYP) 1A1 and 1A2 have the potential to reductively activate both nitro-aromatics. The results also contributed to the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms of these reactions. The contribution of conjugation enzymes such as N,O-acetyltransferases (NATs) and sulfotransferases (SULTs) to the activation of 3-NBA and AAI was also examined. The results indicated differences in the abilities of 3-NBA and AAI metabolites to be further activated by these conjugation enzymes. The formation of DNA adducts generated by both carcinogens during their reductive activation by the NOQ1 and CYP1A1/2 enzymes was investigated with pure enzymes, enzymes present in subcellular cytosolic and microsomal fractions, selective inhibitors, and animal models (including knock-out and humanized animals). For the theoretical approaches, flexible in silico docking methods as well as ab initio calculations were employed. The results summarized in this review demonstrate that a combination of experimental and theoretical approaches is a useful tool to study the enzyme-mediated reaction mechanisms of 3-NBA and AAI reduction.

Nitroaromatic compounds: Environmental toxicity, carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, therapy and mechanism

Vehicle pollution is an increasing problem in the industrial world. Aromatic nitro compounds comprise a significant portion of the threat. In this review, the class includes nitro derivatives of benzene, biphenyls, naphthalenes, benzanthrone and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, plus nitroheteroaromatic compounds. The numerous toxic manifestations are discussed. An appreciable number of drugs incorporate the nitroaromatic structure. The mechanistic aspects of both toxicity and therapy are addressed in the context of a unifying mechanism involving electron transfer, reactive oxygen species, oxidative stress and antioxidants.

Pyranoflavones: a group of small-molecule probes for exploring the active site cavities of cytochrome P450 enzymes 1A1, 1A2, and 1B1

Selective inhibition of P450 enzymes is the key to block the conversion of environmental procarcinogens to their carcinogenic metabolites in both animals and humans. To discover highly potent and selective inhibitors of P450s 1A1, 1A2, and 1B1, as well as to investigate active site cavities of these enzymes, 14 novel flavone derivatives were prepared as chemical probes. Fluorimetric enzyme inhibition assays were used to determine the inhibitory activities of these probes toward P450s 1A1, 1A2, 1B1, 2A6, and 2B1. A highly selective P450 1B1 inhibitor 5-hydroxy-4'-propargyloxyflavone (5H4'FPE) was discovered. Some tested compounds also showed selectivity between P450s 1A1 and 1A2. α-Naphthoflavone-like and 5-hydroxyflavone derivatives preferentially inhibited P450 1A2, while β-naphthoflavone-like flavone derivatives showed selective inhibition of P450 1A1. On the basis of structural analysis, the active site cavity models of P450 enzymes 1A1 and 1A2 were generated, demonstrating a planar long strip cavity and a planar triangular cavity, respectively.

Adduct formation and repair, and translesion DNA synthesis across the adducts in human cells exposed to 3-nitrobenzanthrone

3-Nitrobenzanthrone (3-nitro-7H-benz[d,e]anthracen-7-one, 3-NBA) is a potent environmental mutagen that is found in diesel exhaust fumes and airborne particulates. It is known to produce several DNA adducts, including three major adducts N-(2'-deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-3-aminobenzanthrone (dG-C8-N-ABA), 2-(2'-deoxyadenosin-N(6)-yl)-3-aminobenzanthrone (dA-N(6)-C2-ABA), and 2-(2'-deoxyguanosin-N(2)-yl)-3-aminobenzanthrone (dG-N(2)-C2-ABA) in mammalian cells. In the present study, we measured the quantity of the formation and subsequent reduction of these adducts in human hepatoma HepG2 cells that had been treated with 3-NBA using LC-MS/MS analysis. As a result, dG-C8-N-ABA and dG-N(2)-C2-ABA were identified as major adducts in the HepG2 cells, and dA-N(6)-C2-ABA was found to be a minor adduct. Treatment with 1μg/mL 3-NBA for 24h induced the formation of 2835±1509 dG-C8-N-ABA and 3373±1173 dG-N(2)-C2-ABA per 10(7) dG and 877±330 dA-N(6)-C2-ABA per 10(7) dA in the cells. The cellular DNA repair system removed the dG-C8-N-ABA and dA-N(6)-C2-ABA adducts more efficiently than the dG-N(2)-C2-ABA adducts. After a 24-h repair period, 86.4±11.1% of the dG-N(2)-C2-ABA adducts remained, whereas only 51.7±2.7% of the dG-C8-N-ABA adducts and 37.8±1.7% of the dA-N(6)-C2-ABA adducts were present in the cells. We also evaluated the efficiency of bypasses across these three adducts and their mutagenic potency by introducing site-specific mono-modified plasmids into human cells. This translesion DNA synthesis (TLS) assay showed that dG-C8-N-ABA blocked DNA replication markedly (its replication frequency was 16.9±2.7%), while the replication arrests induced by dG-N(2)-C2-ABA and dA-N(6)-C2-ABA were more moderate (their replication frequencies were 33.3±6.2% and 43.1±7.5%, respectively). Mutagenic TLS was observed more frequently in replication across dG-C8-N-ABA (30.6%) than in replication across dG-N(2)-C2-ABA (12.1%) or dA-N(6)-C2-ABA (12.1%). These findings provide important insights into the molecular mechanism of 3-NBA-mutagenesis.

Contributions of human enzymes in carcinogen metabolism

Considerable support exists for the roles of metabolism in modulating the carcinogenic properties of chemicals. In particular, many of these compounds are pro-carcinogens that require activation to electrophilic forms to exert genotoxic effects. We systematically analyzed the existing literature on the metabolism of carcinogens by human enzymes, which has been developed largely in the past 25 years. The metabolism and especially bioactivation of carcinogens are dominated by cytochrome P450 enzymes (66% of bioactivations). Within this group, six P450s--1A1, 1A2, 1B1, 2A6, 2E1, and 3A4--accounted for 77% of the P450 activation reactions. The roles of these P450s can be compared with those estimated for drug metabolism and should be considered in issues involving enzyme induction, chemoprevention, molecular epidemiology, interindividual variations, and risk assessment.

Metabolic activation of diesel exhaust carcinogens in primary and immortalized human TP53 knock-in (Hupki) mouse embryo fibroblasts

Approximately 50% of human tumors have a mutation in TP53. The pattern and spectra of TP53 mutations often differ between cancer types, perhaps due to different etiological factors. The Hupki (human TP53 knock-in) mouse embryo fibroblast (HUF) immortalization assay is useful for studying mutagenesis in the human TP53 gene by environmental carcinogens. Prior to initiating an immortalization assay, carcinogen treatment conditions must be optimized, which can require a large number of cells. As primary HUF cultures senesce within 2 weeks, restricting their use, we investigated whether immortalized HUFs retaining wild-type TP53 can be surrogates for primary HUFs in initial treatment optimization. DNA damage by eight compounds found in diesel exhaust, benzo[a]pyrene, 3-nitrobenzanthrone, 1-nitropyrene, 1,3-dinitropyrene, 1,6-dinitropyrene, 1,8-dinitropyrene, 6-nitrochrysene, and 3-nitrofluorene, was assessed by (32) P-postlabeling and the alkaline comet assay in primary HUFs and in an immortal HUF cell line J201. For most compounds, higher levels of DNA adducts accumulated in J201 cells than in primary HUFs. This difference was not reflected in the comet assay or by cell viability changes. Experiments in three additional immortal HUF cell lines (AAI49, U56, and E2-143) confirmed strong differences in DNA adduct levels compared with primary HUFs. However, these did not correlate with the protein expression of Nqo1 or Nat1/2, or with gene expression of Cyp1a1 or Cyp1b1. Our results show that using immortal HUFs as surrogates for primary HUFs in genotoxicity screening has limitations and that DNA adduct formation is the best measure of genotoxicity of the nitro-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons tested in HUFs.

Incorporation of 3-aminobenzanthrone into 2'-deoxyoligonucleotides and its impact on duplex stability

3-Nitrobenzanthrone (3NBA), an environmental pollutant and potent mutagen, causes DNA damage via the reaction of its metabolically activated form with the exocyclic amino groups of purines and the C-8 position of guanine. The present work describes a synthetic approach to the preparation of oligomeric 2′-deoxyribonucleotides containing a 2-(2′-deoxyguanosin-N²-yl)-3-aminobenzanthrone moiety, one of the major DNA adducts found in tissues of living organisms exposed to 3NBA. The NMR spectra indicate that the damaged oligodeoxyribonucleotide is capable of forming a regular double helical structure with the polyaromatic moiety assuming a single conformation at room temperature; the spectra suggest that the 3ABA moiety resides in the duplex minor groove pointing toward the 5′-end of the modified strand. Thermodynamic studies show that the dG(N²)-3ABA lesion has a stabilizing effect on the damaged duplex, a fact that correlates well with the long persistence of this damage in living organisms.

Rat cytochromes P450 oxidize 3-aminobenzanthrone, a human metabolite of the carcinogenic environmental pollutant 3-nitrobenzanthrone

3-Aminobenzanthrone (3-ABA) is a human metabolite of carcinogenic 3-nitrobenzanthrone (3-NBA), which occurs in diesel exhaust and air pollution. Understanding which cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes are involved in metabolic activation and/or detoxication of this toxicant is important in the assessment of an individual's susceptibility to this substance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of rat hepatic CYPs to oxidize 3-ABA and to examine the metabolites formed during such an oxidation. The metabolites formed by CYPs in rat hepatic microsomes were separated by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). 3-ABA is oxidized by these enzymes to three metabolites, which were separated by HPLC as distinguish product peaks. Using co-chromatography with synthetic standards, two of them were identified to be oxidative metabolites of 3-ABA, N-hydroxy-3-ABA and 3-NBA. The structure of another 3-ABA metabolite remains to be characterized. To define the role of rat hepatic CYP enzymes in metabolism of 3-ABA, we investigated the modulation of its oxidation using different inducers of CYPs for treatment of rats to enrich the liver microsomes with individual CYPs. Based on these studies, we attribute most of 3-ABA oxidation in rat hepatic microsomes to CYP2B, followed by CYP1A, although a role of other hepatic CYPs cannot be ruled out. Inhibition of 3-ABA oxidation by selective inhibitors of individual CYPs, supported this finding.

Induction of biotransformation enzymes by the carcinogenic air-pollutant 3-nitrobenzanthrone in liver, kidney and lung, after intra-tracheal instillation in rats

3-Nitrobenzanthrone (3-NBA), a carcinogenic air pollutant, was investigated for its ability to induce cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1/2 and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1) in liver, kidney and lung of rats treated by intra-tracheal instillation. The organs used were from a previous study performed to determine the persistence of 3-NBA-derived DNA adducts in target and non-target tissues (Bieler et al., Carcinogenesis 28 (2007) 1117-1121, [22]). NQO1 is the enzyme reducing 3-NBA to N-hydroxy-3-aminobenzanthrone (N-OH-3-ABA) and CYP1A enzymes oxidize a human metabolite of 3-NBA, 3-aminobenzanthrone (3-ABA), to yield the same reactive intermediate. 3-NBA and 3-ABA are both activated to species forming DNA adducts by cytosols and/or microsomes isolated from rat lung, the target organ for 3-NBA carcinogenicity, and from liver and kidney. Each compound generated the same five DNA adducts detectable by (32)P-postlabelling. When hepatic cytosols from rats treated with 0.2 or 2mg/kg body weight of 3-NBA were incubated with 3-NBA, DNA adduct formation was 3.2- and 8.6-fold higher, respectively, than in incubations with cytosols from control animals. Likewise, cytosols isolated from lungs and kidneys of rats exposed to 3-NBA more efficiently activated 3-NBA than those of control rats. This increase corresponded to an increase in protein levels and enzymatic activities of NQO1. Incubations of hepatic, pulmonary or renal microsomes of 3-NBA-treated rats with 3-ABA led to an 9.6-fold increase in DNA-adduct formation relative to controls. The highest induction in DNA-adduct levels was found in lung. The stimulation of DNA-adduct formation correlated with expression of CYP1A1/2 induced by the intra-tracheal instillation of 3-NBA. The results demonstrate that 3-NBA induces NQO1 and CYP1A1/2 in livers, lungs and kidneys of rats after intra-tracheal instillation, thereby enhancing its own genotoxic and carcinogenic potential.

Mechanisms of the different DNA adduct forming potentials of the urban air pollutants 2-nitrobenzanthrone and carcinogenic 3-nitrobenzanthrone

2-Nitrobenzanthrone (2-NBA) has recently been detected in ambient air particulate matter. Its isomer 3-nitrobenzanthrone (3-NBA) is a potent mutagen and suspected human carcinogen identified in diesel exhaust. We compared the efficiencies of human enzymatic systems [hepatic microsomes and cytosols, NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), xanthine oxidase, NADPH:cytochrome P450 reductase, N,O-acetyltransferases, and sulfotransferases] and human primary hepatocytes to activate 2-NBA and its isomer 3-NBA to species forming DNA adducts. In contrast to 3-NBA, 2-NBA was not metabolized at detectable levels by the tested human enzymatic systems and enzymes expressed in human hepatocytes, and no DNA adducts detectable by (32)P-postlabeling were generated by 2-NBA. Even NQO1, the most efficient human enzyme to bioactive 3-NBA, did not activate 2-NBA. Molecular docking of 2-NBA and 3-NBA to the active site of NQO1 showed similar binding affinities; however, the binding orientation of 2-NBA does not favor the reduction of the nitro group. This was in line with the inhibition of 3-NBA-DNA adduct formation by 2-NBA, indicating that 2-NBA can compete with 3-NBA for binding to NQO1, thereby decreasing the metabolic activation of 3-NBA. In addition, the predicted equilibrium conditions favor a 3 orders of magnitude higher dissociation of N-OH-3-ABA in comparison to N-OH-2-ABA. These findings explain the very different genotoxicity, mutagenicity, and DNA adduct forming potential of the two compounds. Collectively, our results suggest that 2-NBA possesses a relatively lower risk to humans than 3-NBA.

Quantification of 3-nitrobenzanthrone-DNA adducts using online column-switching HPLC-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry

The aromatic nitroketone 3-nitrobenzanthrone (3-nitro-7H-benz[de]anthracen-7-one; 3-NBA) is an extremely potent mutagen and a suspected human carcinogen detected in the exhaust of diesel engines and in airborne particulate matter. 3-NBA is metabolically activated via reduction of the nitro group to the hydroxylamine (N-OH-3-ABA) to form covalent DNA adducts. Thus far, the detection and quantification of covalent 3-NBA-DNA adducts has relied solely on (32)P-postlabeling methodologies. In order to expand the range of available techniques for the detection and improved quantification of 3-NBA-DNA adducts, we have developed a method based upon online column-switching HPLC coupled to electrospray tandem mass spectrometry, with isotopic dilution of (15)N-labeled internal standards. This methodology was applied to the determination of three 3-NBA-derived adducts: 2-(2'-deoxyguanosin-N(2)-yl)-3-aminobenzanthrone (dG-N(2)-3-ABA), N-(2'-deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-3-aminobenzanthrone (dG-C8-N-3-ABA) and 2-(2'-deoxyguanosine-8-yl)-3-aminobenzanthrone (dG-C8-C2-3-ABA). Dose-dependent increases were observed for all three adducts when salmon testis DNA was reacted with N-acetoxy-3-aminobenzanthrone (N-AcO-3-ABA). dG-C8-C2-3-ABA was detected at much lower levels (overall 1%) than the other two adducts. DNA samples isolated from tissues of rats treated either intratracheally with 3-NBA or intraperitoneally with N-OH-3-ABA were analyzed by mass spectrometry, and the results compared to those obtained by (32)P-postlabeling. The method required 50 microg of hydrolyzed animal DNA on column and the limit of detection was 2.0 fmol for each adduct. dG-C8-C2-3-ABA was not observed in any of the samples providing confirmation that it is not formed in vivo. Linear regression analysis of the levels of dG-N(2)-3-ABA and dG-C8-N-3-ABA in the rat DNA showed a reasonable correlation between the two methods (R(2) = 0.88 and 0.93, respectively). In summary, the mass spectrometric method is a faster, more automated analytical approach that also provides structural confirmation of the adducts detected by (32)P-postlabeling, and it has sufficient sensitivity and precision to analyze DNA adducts in animals exposed to 3-NBA or its hydroxylamine metabolite.

3-Nitrobenzanthrone and 3-aminobenzanthrone induce DNA damage and cell signalling in Hepa1c1c7 cells

3-Nitrobenzanthrone (3-NBA) is a mutagenic and carcinogenic environmental pollutant found in diesel exhaust and urban air pollution. In the present work we have characterised the effects of 3-NBA and its metabolite 3-aminobenzanthrone (3-ABA) on cell death and cytokine release in mouse hepatoma Hepa1c1c7 cells. These effects were related to induced DNA damage and changes in cell signalling pathways. 3-NBA resulted in cell death and caused most DNA damage as judged by the amount of DNA adducts ((32)P-postlabelling assay), single strand (ss)DNA breaks and oxidative DNA lesions (comet assay) detected. An increased phosphorylation of H2AX, chk1, chk2 and partly ATM was observed using flow cytometry and/or Western blotting. Both compounds increased phosphorylation of p53 and MAPKs (ERK, p38 and JNK). However, only 3-NBA caused an accumulation of p53 in the nucleus and a translocation of Bax to the mitochondria. The p53 inhibitor pifithrin-alpha inhibited 3-NBA-induced apoptosis, indicating that cell death was a result of the triggering of DNA signalling pathways. The highest phosphorylation of Akt and degradation of IkappaB-alpha (suggesting activation of NF-kappaB) were also seen after treatment with 3-NBA. In contrast 3-ABA increased IL-6 release, but caused little or no toxicity. Cytokine release was inhibited by PD98059 and curcumin, suggesting that ERK and NF-kappaB play a role in this process. In conclusion, 3-NBA seems to have a higher potency to induce DNA damage compatible with its cytotoxic effects, while 3-ABA seems to have a greater effect on the immune system.

The genotoxic air pollutant 3-nitrobenzanthrone and its reactive metabolite N-hydroxy-3-aminobenzanthrone lack initiating and complete carcinogenic activity in NMRI mouse skin

3-Nitrobenzanthrone (3-NBA), a genotoxic mutagen found in diesel exhaust and ambient air pollution and its active metabolite N-hydroxy-3-aminobenzanthrone (N-OH-3-ABA) were tested for initiating and complete carcinogenic activity in the NMRI mouse skin carcinogenesis model. Both compounds were found to be inactive as either tumour initiators or complete carcinogens in mouse skin over a dose range of 25-400nmol. Topical application of 3-NBA and N-OH-3-ABA produced DNA adduct patterns in epidermis, detected by (32)P-postlabelling, similar to those found previously in other organs of rats and mice. 24h after a single treatment of 100nmol DNA adduct levels produced by 3-NBA (18+/-4 adducts/10(8) nucleotides) were 6 times lower than those by 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA; 114+/-37 adducts/10(8) nucleotides). In contrast, identical treatment with N-OH-3-ABA resulted in adduct levels in the same range as with DMBA (136+/-25 adducts/10(8) nucleotides), indicating that initial DNA adduct levels do not parallel tumour initiating activity. When compounds were tested for tumour initiating activity by a single treatment followed by twice-weekly applications of TPA, DNA adducts formed by DMBA, but not by 3-NBA or N-OH-3-ABA, were still detectable 40weeks after treatment. When tested for activity as complete carcinogens by twice-weekly topical application, 3-NBA and N-OH-3-ABA produced identical DNA adduct profiles in mouse skin, with adducts still detectable after 40weeks. Only 3-NBA produced detectable adducts in other organs.

3-aminobenzanthrone, a human metabolite of the carcinogenic environmental pollutant 3-nitrobenzanthrone, induces biotransformation enzymes in rat kidney and lung

3-aminobenzanthrone (3-ABA) is the metabolite of the carcinogenic air pollutant 3-nitrobenzanthrone (3-NBA). 3-ABA was investigated for its ability to induce cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1) in kidney and lung of rats, and for the influence of such induction on DNA adduct formation by 3-ABA and 3-NBA. NQO1 is the enzyme that reduces 3-NBA to N-hydroxy-3-aminobenzanthrone (N-OH-3-ABA) and CYP1A enzymes oxidize 3-ABA to the same intermediate. When activated by cytosolic and and/or microsomal fractions isolated from rat lung, the target organ for 3-NBA carcinogenicity, and kidney, both compounds generated the same DNA-adduct pattern, consisting of five adducts. When pulmonary cytosols isolated from rats that had been treated i.p. with 40 mg/kg bw of 3-ABA were incubated with 3-NBA, DNA adduct formation was up to 1.7-fold higher than in incubations with cytosols from control animals. This increase corresponded to an increase in protein level and enzymatic activity of NQO1. In contrast, no induction of NQO1 expression by 3-ABA treatment was found in the kidney. Incubations of 3-ABA with renal and pulmonary microsomes of 3-ABA-treated rats led to an increase of up to a 4.5-fold in DNA-adduct formation relative to controls. The stimulation of DNA-adduct formation correlated with a higher protein expression and activity of CYP1A1 induced by 3-ABA. These results show that by inducing lung and kidney CYP1A1 and NQO1, 3-ABA increases its own enzymatic activation as well as that of the environmental pollutant, 3-NBA, thereby enhancing the genotoxic and carcinogenic potential of both compounds.

The mechanism of cytotoxicity and DNA adduct formation by the anticancer drug ellipticine in human neuroblastoma cells

Ellipticine is an antineoplastic agent, whose mode of action is based mainly on DNA intercalation, inhibition of topoisomerase II and formation of covalent DNA adducts mediated by cytochromes P450 and peroxidases. Here, the molecular mechanism of DNA-mediated ellipticine action in human neuroblastoma IMR-32, UKF-NB-3 and UKF-NB-4 cancer cell lines was investigated. Treatment of neuroblastoma cells with ellipticine resulted in apoptosis induction, which was verified by the appearance of DNA fragmentation, and in inhibition of cell growth. These effects were associated with formation of two covalent ellipticine-derived DNA adducts, identical to those formed by the cytochrome P450- and peroxidase-mediated ellipticine metabolites, 13-hydroxy- and 12-hydroxyellipticine. The expression of these enzymes at mRNA and protein levels and their ability to generate ellipticine-DNA adducts in neuroblastoma cells were proven, using the real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting analyses and by analyzing ellipticine-DNA adducts in incubations of this drug with neuroblastoma S9 fractions, enzyme cofactors and DNA. The levels of DNA adducts correlated with toxicity of ellipticine to IMR-32 and UKF-NB-4 cells, but not with that to UKF-NB-3 cells. In addition, hypoxic cell culture conditions resulted in a decrease in ellipticine toxicity to IMR-32 and UKF-NB-4 cells and this correlated with lower levels of DNA adducts. Both these cell lines accumulated in S phase, suggesting that ellipticine-DNA adducts interfere with DNA replication. The results demonstrate that among the multiple modes of ellipticine antitumor action, formation of covalent DNA adducts by ellipticine is the predominant mechanism of cytotoxicity to IMR-32 and UKF-NB-4 neuroblastoma cells.

Tissue-specific metabolic activation and mutagenicity of 3-nitrobenzanthrone in MutaMouse

3-Nitrobenzanthrone (3-NBA) is a mutagen and suspected human carcinogen detected in diesel exhaust, airborne particulate matter, and urban soil. We investigated the tissue specific mutagenicity of 3-NBA at the lacZ locus of transgenic MutaMouse following acute single dose or 28-day repeated-dose oral administration. In the acute high dose (50 mg/kg) exposure, increased lacZ mutant frequency was observed in bone marrow and colonic epithelium, but not in liver and bladder. In the repeated-dose study, a dose-dependent increase in lacZ mutant frequency was observed in bone marrow and liver (2- and 4-fold increase above control), but not in lung or intestinal epithelium. In addition, a concentration-dependent increase in mutant frequency (8.5-fold above control) was observed for MutaMouse FE1 lung epithelial cells exposed in vitro. 1-Nitropyrene reductase, 3-NBA reductase, and acetyltransferase activities were measured in a variety of MutaMouse specimens in an effort to link metabolic activation and mutagenicity. High 3-NBA nitroreductase activities were observed in lung, liver, colon and bladder, and detectable N-acetyltransferase activities were found in all tissues except bone marrow. The relatively high 3-NBA nitroreductase activity in MutaMouse tissues, as compared with those in Salmonella TA98 and TA100, suggests that 3-NBA is readily reduced and activated in vivo. High 3-NBA nitroreductase levels in liver and colon are consistent with the elevated lacZ mutant frequency values, and previously noted inductions of hepatic DNA adducts. Despite an absence of induced lacZ mutations, the highest 3-NBA reductase activity was detected in lung. Further studies are warranted, especially following inhalation or intratracheal exposures.

Ellipticine and benzo(a)pyrene increase their own metabolic activation via modulation of expression and enzymatic activity of cytochromes P450 1A1 and 1A2

Two compounds known to covalently bind to DNA after their activation with cytochromes P450 (CYPs), carcinogenic benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) and an antineoplastic agent ellipticine, were investigated for their potential to induce CYP and NADPH:CYP reductase (POR) enzymes in rodent livers, the main target organ for DNA adduct formation. Two animal models were used in the study: (i) rats as animals mimicking the fate of ellipticine in humans and (ii) mice, especially wild-type (WT) and hepatic POR null (HRN™) mouse lines. Ellipticine and BaP induce expression of CYP1A enzymes in livers of experimental models, which leads to increase in their enzymatic activity. In addition, both compounds are capable of generating DNA adducts, predominantly in livers of studied organisms. As determined by (32)P postlabelling analysis, levels of ellipticine-derived DNA adducts formed in vivo in the livers of HRN™ mice were reduced (by up to 65%) relative to levels in WT mice, indicating that POR mediated CYP enzyme activity is important for the activation of ellipticine. In contrast to these results, 6.4 fold higher DNA binding of BaP was observed in the livers of HRN™ mice than in WT mice. This finding suggests a detoxication role of CYP1A in BaP metabolism in vivo. In in vitro experiments, DNA adduct formation in calf thymus DNA was up to 25 fold higher in incubations of ellipticine or BaP with microsomes from pretreated animals than with controls. This stimulation effect was attributed to induction of CYP1A1/2 enzymes, which are responsible for oxidative activation of both compounds to the metabolites generating major DNA adducts in vitro. Taken together, these results demonstrate that by inducing CYP1A1/2, ellipticine and BaP modulate their own enzymatic metabolic activation and detoxication, thereby modulating their either pharmacological (ellipticine) and/or genotoxic potential (both compounds).

Genotoxicity of 3-nitrobenzanthrone and 3-aminobenzanthrone in MutaMouse and lung epithelial cells derived from MutaMouse

FE1 lung epithelial cells derived from MutaMouse are a new model system to provide in vitro mutagenicity data with the potential to predict the outcome of an in vivo MutaMouse test. 3-Nitrobenzanthrone (3-NBA) is a potent mutagen and suspected human carcinogen identified in diesel exhaust and urban air pollution. We investigated the mutagenicity and DNA binding of 3-NBA and its main metabolite 3-aminobenzanthrone (3-ABA) in vitro and in vivo in the MutaMouse assay. Mice were treated with 3-NBA or 3-ABA (0, 2 or 5 mg/kg body weight/day) by gavage for 28 days and 28 days later lacZ mutant frequency (MF) was determined in liver, lung and bone marrow. For both compounds, dose-related increases in MF were seen in liver and bone marrow, but not in lung; mutagenic activity was approximately 2-fold lower for 3-ABA than for 3-NBA. With 3-NBA, highest DNA adduct levels (measured by (32)P-post-labelling) were found in liver (approximately 230 adducts per 10(8) nucleotides) with levels 20- to 40-fold lower in bone marrow and lung. With 3-ABA, DNA adduct levels were again highest in the liver, but approximately 4-fold lower than for 3-NBA. FE1 cells were exposed to up to 10 microg/ml 3-NBA or 3-ABA for 6 h with or without exogenous activation (S9) and harvested after 3 days. For 3-NBA, there was a dose-related increase in MF both with and without S9 mix, which was >10 times higher than observed in vivo. At the highest concentration of 3-ABA (10 microg/ml), we found only around a 2-fold increase in MF relative to controls. DNA adduct formation in FE1 cells was dose-dependent for both compounds, but 10- to 20-fold higher for 3-NBA compared to 3-ABA. Collectively, our data indicate that MutaMouse FE1 cells are well suited for cost-effective testing of suspected mutagens with different metabolic activation pathways as a guide for subsequent in vivo MutaMouse testing.

Applications of CYP-450 expression for biomonitoring in environmental health

Cytochrome P450s (CYPs) are one of the first steps in the metabolism of xenobiotics, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are bioactivated into carcinogens. As such, changes in CYP expression are potential biomarkers in human biomonitoring applications. For the proper biomonitoring of environmental toxicants, it is important to understand the biological relevance of each biomarker and the associations among the biomarkers for uses as exposure, effects, and susceptibility biomarkers. Here, we have reviewed various aspects of CYPs for biomonitoring environmental health in terms of the CYP substrates, such as PAHs, aromatic amines, benzene/toluene, and tobacco smoking-related nitrosamines. This review also includes association studies between CYP phenotypical alterations and other exposure, susceptibility, and effect biomarkers. The association studies were mainly performed in CYP gene-transfected cells and noninvasive human biospecies, such as urine and peripheral blood. In conclusion, we suggest that phenotypical alterations in CYPs with exposure to environmental toxicants are useful as susceptibility or effect biomarkers, particularly when the phenotype-related genotypes are unknown.

The environmental carcinogen 3-nitrobenzanthrone and its main metabolite 3-aminobenzanthrone enhance formation of reactive oxygen intermediates in human A549 lung epithelial cells

The environmental contaminant 3-nitrobenzanthrone (3-NBA) is highly mutagenic and a suspected human carcinogen. We aimed to evaluate whether 3-NBA is able to deregulate critical steps in cell cycle control and apoptosis in human lung epithelial A549 cells. Increased intracellular Ca(2+) and caspase activities were detected upon 3-NBA exposure. As shown by cell cycle analysis, an increased number of S-phase cells was observed after 24 h of treatment with 3-NBA. Furthermore, 3-NBA was shown to inhibit cell proliferation when added to subconfluent cell cultures. The main metabolite of 3-NBA, 3-ABA, induced statistically significant increases in tail moment as judged by alkaline comet assay. The potential of 3-NBA and 3-ABA to enhance the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was demonstrated by flow cytometry using 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein-diacetate (DCFH-DA). The enzyme inhibitors allopurinol, dicumarol, resveratrol and SKF525A were used to assess the impact of metabolic conversion on 3-NBA-mediated ROS production. Resveratrol decreased dichlorofluorescein (DCF) fluorescence by 50%, suggesting a role for CYP1A1 in 3-NBA-mediated ROS production. Mitochondrial ROS production was significantly attenuated (20% reduction) by addition of rotenone (complex I inhibition) and thenoyltrifluoroacetone (TTFA, complex II inhibition). Taken together, the results of the present study provide evidence for a genotoxic potential of 3-ABA in human epithelial lung cells. Moreover, both compounds lead to increased intracellular ROS and create an environment favorable to DNA damage and the promotion of cancer.

Assessment of 4-nitro-1,8-naphthalic anhydride reductase activity in homogenates of bakers’ yeast by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

A simple reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic (RP-HPLC) method was developed for the simultaneous determination of yield and conversion ratio of 4-nitro-1,8-naphthalic anhydride to 4-amino-1,8-naphthalic anhydride following incubation with a crude bakers' yeast homogenate. The analytes were separated on a C18 column in gradient mode. The detection limit of 4-amino-1,8-naphthalic anhydride is 10ng/microl when using a 10microl sample injection volume. The nitroreductase activity in the homogenate system can be assessed during the bioconversion process. The method can be used for the simultaneous detection of 4-hydroxylamino-1,8-naphthalic anhydride, an intermediate with limited stability.

The Anticancer Drug Ellipticine is an Inducer of Rat NAD(P)H:Quinone Oxidoreductase

The antineoplastic agent ellipticine was investigated for its ability to induce the biotransformation enzyme NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (DT-diaphorase, EC 1.6.99.2) in male Wistar rats. Using the real-time polymerase chain reaction, the levels of NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase mRNA were determined in livers, kidneys and lungs of rats treated intraperitoneally with ellipticine (40 mg/kg body weight) and of control (untreated) rats. Cytosolic fractions were isolated from the same tissues of control and ellipticine-treated rats and tested for NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase protein expression and its enzymatic activity. The results demonstrate that ellipticine is a potent inducer of NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase in rat livers and kidneys, while no induction of this enzyme was detectable in rat lungs. The increase in levels of NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase mRNA correlates with the increase in expression of its protein and enzymatic activity, measured with menadione and 3-nitrobenzanthrone as substrates. The results, the identification of the potential of ellipticine to induce NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase, suggest that this drug is capable of modulating biological efficiencies of the toxicants and/or drugs that are reductively metabolized by this enzyme.

Formation and persistence of DNA adducts formed by the carcinogenic air pollutant 3-nitrobenzanthrone in target and non-target organs after intratracheal instillation in rats

Sprague-Dawley rats were treated by intratracheal instillation with a single dose of 0.2 mg/kg body wt of 3-nitrobenzanthrone (3-NBA), and whole blood, lungs, pancreases, kidneys, urinary bladders, hearts, small intestines and livers were removed at various times after administration. At five posttreatment times (2 days, 2, 10, 20 and 36 weeks), DNA adducts were analysed in each tissue by (32)P-postlabelling to study their long-term persistence. 3-NBA-derived DNA adducts consisting of the same adduct pattern were observed in all tissues from animals killed between 2 days and 36 weeks and between 2 days and 20 weeks in blood. DNA isolated from whole blood contained the same 3-NBA-specific adduct pattern as that found in tissues. Although total adduct levels in the blood were much lower than those found in the lung, the target organ of 3-NBA tumourigenicity, they were related (20-25%, R(2) = 0.98) to the levels found in lung. In all organs, total adduct levels decreased over time to 20-30% of the initial levels till the latest time point (36 weeks) and showed a biphasic profile, with a rapid loss during the first 2 weeks followed by a much slower decline that reached a stable plateau at 20 weeks after treatment. These results show that uptake of 3-NBA by the lung induces high levels of specific DNA adducts in target and non-target organs of the rat. The correlation between DNA adducts in lung and blood suggests that persistent 3-NBA-DNA adducts in the blood may be useful biomarkers for human respiratory exposure to 3-NBA.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTANT AND CARCINOGEN 3-NITROBENZANTHRONE AND ITS HUMAN METABOLITE 3-AMINOBENZANTHRONE ARE POTENT INDUCERS OF RAT HEPATIC CYTOCHROMES P450 1A1 AND -1A2 AND NAD(P)H:QUINONE OXIDOREDUCTASE

3-Nitrobenzanthrone (3-NBA), a suspected human carcinogen occurring in diesel exhaust and air pollution, and its human metabolite 3-aminobenzanthrone (3-ABA) were investigated for their ability to induce biotransformation enzymes in rat liver and the influence of such induction on DNA adduct formation by the compounds. Rats were treated (i.p.) with 0.4, 4, or 40 mg/kg body weight 3-NBA or 3-ABA. When hepatic cytosolic fractions from rats treated with 40 mg/kg body weight 3-NBA or 3-ABA were incubated with 3-NBA, DNA adduct formation, measured by 32P-postlabeling analysis, was 10-fold higher in incubations with cytosols from pretreated rats than with controls. The increase in 3-NBA-derived DNA adduct formation corresponded to a dose-dependent increase in protein levels and enzymatic activity of NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1). NQO1 is the major enzyme reducing 3-NBA in human and rat livers. Incubations of 3-ABA with hepatic microsomes of rats treated with 3-NBA or 3-ABA (40 mg/kg body weight) led to as much as a 12-fold increase in 3-ABA-derived DNA adduct formation compared with controls. The observed stimulation of DNA adduct formation by both compounds was attributed to their potential to induce protein expression and enzymatic activity of cytochromes P450 1A1 and/or -1A2 (CYP1A1/2), the major enzymes responsible for 3-ABA activation in human and rat livers. Collectively, these results demonstrate for the first time, to our knowledge, that by inducing hepatic NQO1 and CYP1A1/2, both 3-NBA and 3-ABA increase the enzymatic activation of these two compounds to reactive DNA adduct-forming species, thereby enhancing their own genotoxic potential.

Identification of three major DNA adducts formed by the carcinogenic air pollutant 3-nitrobenzanthrone in rat lung at the C8 and N2 position of guanine and at the N6 position of adenine

3-Nitrobenzanthrone (3-NBA) is a potent mutagen and potential human carcinogen identified in diesel exhaust and ambient air particulate matter. Previously, we detected the formation of 3-NBA-derived DNA adducts in rodent tissues by 32P-postlabeling, all of which are derived from reductive metabolites of 3-NBA bound to purine bases, but structural identification of these adducts has not yet been reported. We have now prepared 3-NBA-derived DNA adduct standards for 32P-postlabeling by reacting N-acetoxy-3-aminobenzanthrone (N-Aco-ABA) with purine nucleotides. Three deoxyguanosine (dG) adducts have been characterised as N-(2'-deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-3-aminobenzanthrone-3'-phosphate (dG3'p-C8-N-ABA), 2-(2'-deoxyguanosin-N2-yl)-3-aminobenzanthrone-3'-phosphate (dG3'p-N2-ABA) and 2-(2'-deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-3-aminobenzanthrone-3'-phosphate (dG3'p-C8-C2-ABA), and a deoxyadenosine (dA) adduct was characterised as 2-(2'-deoxyadenosin-N6-yl)-3-aminobenzanthrone-3'-phosphate (dA3'p-N6-ABA). 3-NBA-derived DNA adducts formed experimentally in vivo and in vitro were compared with the chemically synthesised adducts. The major 3-NBA-derived DNA adduct formed in rat lung cochromatographed with dG3'p-N2-ABA in two independent systems (thin layer and high-performance liquid chromatography). This is also the major adduct formed in tissue of rats or mice treated with 3-aminobenzanthrone (3-ABA), the major human metabolite of 3-NBA. Similarly, dG3'p-C8-N-ABA and dA3'p-N6-ABA cochromatographed with two other adducts formed in various organs of rats or mice treated either with 3-NBA or 3-ABA, whereas dG3'p-C8-C2-ABA did not cochromatograph with any of the adducts found in vivo. Utilizing different enzymatic systems in vitro, including human hepatic microsomes and cytosols, and purified and recombinant enzymes, we found that a variety of enzymes [NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase, xanthine oxidase, NADPH:cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase, cytochrome P450s 1A1 and 1A2, N,O-acetyltransferases 1 and 2, sulfotransferases 1A1 and 1A2, and myeloperoxidase] are able to catalyse the formation of 2-(2'-deoxyguanosin-N2-yl)-3-aminobenzanthrone, N-(2'-deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-3-aminobenzanthrone and 2-(2'-deoxyadenosin-N6-yl)-3-aminobenzanthrone in DNA, after incubation with 3-NBA and/or 3-ABA.

Bioactivation of 3-aminobenzanthrone, a human metabolite of the environmental pollutant 3-nitrobenzanthrone: evidence for DNA adduct formation mediated by cytochrome P450 enzymes and peroxidases

3-Nitrobenzanthrone (3-NBA) is a suspected human carcinogen found in diesel exhaust and ambient air pollution. The main metabolite of 3-NBA, 3-aminobenzanthrone (3-ABA), was detected in the urine of salt mining workers occupationally exposed to diesel emissions. We evaluated the role of hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes in the activation of 3-ABA in vivo by treating hepatic cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (POR)-null mice and wild-type littermates intraperitoneally with 0.2 and 2mg/kg body weight of 3-ABA. Hepatic POR-null mice lack POR-mediated CYP enzyme activity in the liver. Using the (32)P-postlabelling method, multiple 3-ABA-derived DNA adducts were observed in liver DNA from wild-type mice, qualitatively similar to those formed in incubations using human hepatic microsomes. The adduct pattern was also similar to those formed by the nitroaromatic counterpart 3-NBA and which derive from reductive metabolites of 3-NBA bound to purine bases in DNA. DNA binding by 3-ABA in the livers of the null mice was undetectable at the lower dose and substantially reduced (by up to 80%), relative to wild-type mice, at the higher dose. These data indicate that POR-mediated CYP enzyme activities are important for the oxidative activation of 3-ABA in livers, confirming recent results indicating that CYP1A1 and -1A2 are mainly responsible for the metabolic activation of 3-ABA in human hepatic microsomes. No difference in DNA binding was found in kidney and bladder between null and wild-type mice, suggesting that cells in these extrahepatic organs have the metabolic capacity to oxidize 3-ABA to species forming the same 3-ABA-derived DNA adducts, independently from the CYP-mediated oxidation in the liver. We determined that different model peroxidases are able to catalyse DNA adduct formation by 3-ABA in vitro. Horseradish peroxidase (HRP), lactoperoxidase (LPO), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and prostaglandin H synthase (PHS) were all effective in activating 3-ABA in vitro, forming DNA adducts qualitatively similar to those formed in vivo in mice treated with 3-ABA and to those found in DNA reacted with N-hydroxy-3-aminobenzanthrone (N-OH-ABA). Collectively, these results suggest that both CYPs and peroxidases may play an important role in metabolizing 3-ABA to reactive DNA adduct forming species.

Molecular mechanism of genotoxicity of the environmental pollutant 3-nitrobenzanthrone

3-Nitrobenzanthrone (3-NBA) is a suspected human carcinogen identified in diesel exhaust and air pollution. This article reviews the results of our laboratories showing which of the phase I and II enzymes are responsible for 3-NBA genotoxicity, participating in activation of 3-NBA and its human metabolite, 3-aminobenzanthrone (3-ABA), to species generating DNA adducts. Among the phase I enzymes, the most of the activation of 3-NBA in vitro is attributable to cytosolic NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1), while N,O-acetyltransferase (NAT), NAT2, followed by NAT1, sulfotransferase (SULT), SULT1A1 and, to a lesser extent, SULT1A2 are the major phase II enzymes activating 3- NBA. To evaluate the importance of hepatic cytosolic enzymes in relation to microsomal NADPH:cytochrome P450 (CYP) oxidoreductase (POR) in the activation of 3-NBA in vivo, we treated hepatic POR-null and wild-type C57BL/6 mice with 3-NBA or 3-ABA. The results indicate that 3-NBA is predominantly activated by cytosolic nitroreductases such as NQO1 rather than microsomal POR. In the case of 3-ABA, CYP1A1/2 enzymes are essential for the oxidative activation of 3-ABA in liver. However, cells in the extrahepatic organs have the metabolic capacity to activate 3-ABA to form DNA adducts, independently from CYP-mediated oxidation in the liver. Peroxidases such as prostaglandin H synthase, lactoperoxidase, myeloperoxidase, abundant in several extrahepatic tissues, generate DNA adducts, which are formed in vivo by 3-ABA or 3-NBA. The results suggest that both CYPs and peroxidases may play an important role in metabolism of 3-ABA to reactive species forming DNA adducts, participating in genotoxicity of this compound and its parental counterpart, 3-NBA.

DNA adduct formation by the environmental contaminant 3-nitrobenzanthrone after intratracheal instillation in rats

3-Nitrobenzanthrone (3-NBA) is an environmental pollutant and suspected human carcinogen found in emissions from diesel and gasoline engines and on the surface of ambient air particulate matter; human exposure to 3-NBA is likely to occur primarily via the respiratory tract. In our study female Sprague Dawley rats were treated by intratracheal instillation with a single dose of 0.2 or 2 mg/kg body weight of 3-NBA. Using the butanol enrichment version of the (32)P-postlabeling method, DNA adduct formation by 3-NBA 48 hr after intratracheal administration in different organs (lung, pancreas, kidney, urinary bladder, heart, small intestine and liver) and in blood was investigated. The same adduct pattern consisting of up to 5 DNA adduct spots was detected by thin layer chromatography in all tissues and blood and at both doses. Highest total adduct levels were found in lung and pancreas (350 +/- 139 and 620 +/- 370 adducts per 10(8) nucleotides for the high dose and 39 +/- 18 and 55 +/- 34 adducts per 10(8) nucleotides for the low dose, respectively) followed by kidney, urinary bladder, heart, small intestine and liver. Adduct levels were dose-dependent in all organs (approximately 10-fold difference between doses). It was demonstrated by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) that all 5 3-NBA-derived DNA adducts formed in rats after intratracheal instillation are identical to those formed by other routes of application and are, as previously shown, formed from reductive metabolites bound to purine bases. Although total adduct levels in the blood were much lower (41 +/- 27 and 9.5 +/- 1.9 adducts per 10(8) nucleotides for the high and low dose, respectively) than those found in the lung, they were related to dose and to the levels found in lung. These results show that uptake of 3-NBA by the lung induces high levels of specific DNA adducts in several organs of the rat and an identical adduct pattern in DNA from blood. Therefore, 3-NBA-DNA adducts present in the blood are useful biomarkers for exposure to 3-NBA and may help to assess the effective biological dose in humans exposed to it.

3-Nitrobenzanthrone, a potential human cancer hazard in diesel exhaust and urban air pollution: a review of the evidence

Epidemiological studies have shown that exposure to diesel exhaust and urban air pollution is associated with an increased risk of lung cancer. 3-Nitrobenzanthrone [3-nitro-7H-benz[de]anthracen-7-one (3-NBA)] is an extremely potent mutagen and suspected human carcinogen identified in diesel exhaust and ambient air particulate matter. The main metabolite of 3-NBA, 3-aminobenzanthrone (3-ABA), was found in the urine of salt mine workers occupationally exposed to diesel emissions, indicating that human exposure to 3-NBA due to diesel emissions can be significant and is detectable. There is clear evidence that 3-NBA is a genotoxic mutagen forming DNA adducts after metabolic activation through simple reduction of the nitro group. Several human enzymes have been shown to activate 3-NBA and its metabolites in vitro and in cells to form electrophilic arylnitrenium and rearranged carbenium ions, leading to the formation of purine adducts at the C8 and N2 position of guanine and at the C8 and N6 position of adenine. The predominant DNA adducts in vivo, 2-(2'-deoxyguanosin-N2-yl)-3-aminobenzanthrone and N-(2'-deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-3-aminobenzanthrone are also the most persistent adducts in target tissue in rodents, and are most probably responsible for the induction of GC-->TA transversion mutations observed in vivo. It is concluded that these adducts not only represent premutagenic lesions in DNA but are of primary importance for the initiation of the carcinogenic process and subsequent tumour formation in target tissue. Indeed, 3-NBA is carcinogenic in rats after intratracheal instillation, inducing mainly squamous cell carcinoma in lung. The intention of this article is to provide a critical review on the potential genotoxic effects of 3-NBA on human health. However, in general, there is a need for more mechanistic studies that relate 3-NBA to all processes that are considered to orchestrate tumour development and of studies on the ability of particles to promote 3-NBA genotoxicity. Because of its widespread environmental presence, 3-NBA may represent not only an occupational health hazard but also a hazard for larger sections of the general population. For an accurate risk assessment more epidemiological studies on 3-NBA-exposed individuals and a broader monitoring of environmental levels of 3-NBA are required.

Synthesis, characterization, and 32p-postlabeling analysis of DNA adducts derived from the environmental contaminant 3-nitrobenzanthrone

3-Nitrobenzanthrone (3-NBA) is a potent mutagen and potential human carcinogen identified in diesel exhaust and ambient air particulate matter. 3-NBA forms DNA adducts in rodent tissues that arise principally through reduction to N-hydroxy-3-aminobenzanthrone (N-OH-ABA), esterification to its acetate or sulfate ester, and reaction of this activated ester with DNA. We detected 3-NBA-derived DNA adducts in rodent tissues by (32)P-postlabeling and generated them chemically by acid-catalyzed reaction of N-OH-ABA with DNA, but their structural identification has not yet been reported. We have now prepared 3-NBA-derived adducts by reaction of a possible reactive metabolite, N-acetoxy-N-acetyl-3-aminobenzanthrone (N-Aco-N-Ac-ABA), with purine nucleosides and nucleotides, characterized them, and have shown that they are present in DNA treated with this 3-NBA derivative. Three of these adducts have been characterized as the C-C adduct N-acetyl-3-amino-2-(2'-deoxyguanosin-8-yl)benzanthrone, the C-N adduct N-acetyl-N-(2'-deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-3-aminobenzanthrone, and an unusual 3-acetylaminobenzanthrone adduct of deoxyadenosine, which involves a double linkage between adenine and benzanthrone (N1 to C1, N(6) to C11b), creating a five-membered imidazo type ring system. According to IUPAC fused ring conventions, we propose the following systematic name for this adduct: (9'-(2' '-deoxyribofuranosyl))purino[6',1':2,3]imidazo[5,4-p](1,11b-dihydro-(N-acetyl-3-amino))benzanthrone. The 3'-phosphates of these novel adducts could be 5'-postlabeled using [gamma-(32)P]ATP, although the efficiency of labeling was found to be low (less than 20%). However, none of these adducts could be detected in DNA from 3-NBA-treated rats by (32)P-postlabeling. Two of these synthetic adducts were treated with alkali to generate nonacetylated adducts, and these were also shown by HPLC to differ from those adducts found in rat DNA. Therefore, a different approach to the synthesis of authentic standards is needed for the structural characterization of 3-NBA-derived DNA adducts formed in vivo.

Environmental pollutant and potent mutagen 3-nitrobenzanthrone forms DNA adducts after reduction by NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase and conjugation by acetyltransferases and sulfotransferases in human hepatic cytosols

3-Nitrobenzanthrone (3-nitro-7H-benz[de]anthracen-7-one, 3-NBA) is a potent mutagen and suspected human carcinogen identified in diesel exhaust and air pollution. We compared the ability of human hepatic cytosolic samples to catalyze DNA adduct formation by 3-NBA. Using the (32)P-postlabeling method, we found that 12/12 hepatic cytosols activated 3-NBA to form multiple DNA adducts similar to those formed in vivo in rodents. By comparing 3-NBA-DNA adduct formation in the presence of cofactors of NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1) and xanthine oxidase, most of the reductive activation of 3-NBA in human hepatic cytosols was attributed to NQO1. Inhibition of adduct formation by dicoumarol, an NQO1 inhibitor, supported this finding and was confirmed with human recombinant NQO1. When cofactors of N,O-acetyltransferases (NAT) and sulfotransferases (SULT) were added to cytosolic samples, 3-NBA-DNA adduct formation increased 10- to 35-fold. Using human recombinant NQO1 and NATs or SULTs, we found that mainly NAT2, followed by SULT1A2, NAT1, and, to a lesser extent, SULT1A1 activate 3-NBA. We also evaluated the role of hepatic NADPH:cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (POR) in the activation of 3-NBA in vivo by treating hepatic POR-null mice and wild-type littermates i.p. with 0.2 or 2 mg/kg body weight of 3-NBA. No difference in DNA binding was found in any tissue examined (liver, lung, kidney, bladder, and colon) between null and wild-type mice, indicating that 3-NBA is predominantly activated by cytosolic nitroreductases rather than microsomal POR. Collectively, these results show the role of human hepatic NQO1 to reduce 3-NBA to species being further activated by NATs and SULTs.

DNA adduct and tumor formations in rats after intratracheal administration of the urban air pollutant 3-nitrobenzanthrone

3-Nitrobenzanthrone (3-NBA) has been isolated from diesel exhaust and airborne particles and identified as a potent direct-acting mutagen in vitro and genotoxic agent in vivo. In order to evaluate the in vivo toxicity and carcinogenicity of 3-NBA in a situation corresponding to inhalation, a combined short-term and lifetime study with intratracheal (i.t.) instillation in female F344 rats was performed. DNA adduct formation, as a marker for the primary effect and analyzed by 32P-HPLC after single instillation, showed a few major DNA adducts and a rapid increase with a peak after 2 days, followed by a decline. No DNA adducts above the background level were observed after 16 days. The highest DNA adduct formation was observed in lung [approximately 250 DNA adducts/10(8) normal nucleotides (NN)] closely followed by kidney (approximately 200 DNA adducts/10(8) NN), whereas liver contained only 12% (approximately 30 DNA adducts/10(8) NN) of the levels of DNA adducts found in lung. In the tumor study, squamous cell carcinomas were found after 7-9 months in the high-dose group (total dose of 2.5 mg 3-NBA) and after 10-12 months in the low-dose group (total dose of 1.5 mg 3-NBA). The fraction of squamous cell carcinoma out of the total amount of tumors observed at the end of experiment at 18 months, corresponded to 3/16 and 11/16 in the low- and high-dose group, respectively. A single case of adenocarcinoma was also observed in each group. In the control group, no tumors were observed during the entire study of 18 months. In addition, a few cases of squamous metaplasia were also observed in the lung in both dose groups but not in the controls. In conclusion, 3-NBA forms DNA adducts in the lung immediately after i.t. administration but almost all DNA adducts were eliminated after 16 days. Tumor formation in two dose groups was observed in a dose-dependent manner with squamous cell carcinomas as the predominant tumor type at high exposure.

Mutagens in contaminated soil: a review

The intentional and accidental discharges of toxic pollutants into the lithosphere results in soil contamination. In some cases (e.g., wood preserving wastes, coal-tar, airborne combustion by-products), the contaminated soil constitutes a genotoxic hazard. This work is a comprehensive review of published information on soil mutagenicity. In total, 1312 assessments of genotoxic activity from 118 works were examined. The majority of the assessments (37.6%) employed the Salmonella mutagenicity test with strains TA98 and/or TA100. An additional 37.6% of the assessments employed a variety of plant species (e.g., Tradescantia clone 4430, Vicia faba, Zea mays, Allium cepa) to assess mutagenic activity. The compiled data on Salmonella mutagenicity indicates significant differences (p<0.0001) in mean potency (revertents per gram dry weight) between industrial, urban, and rural/agricultural sites. Additional analyses showed significant empirical relationships between S9-activated TA98 mutagenicity and soil polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentration (r2=0.19 to 0.25, p<0.0001), and between direct-acting TA98 mutagenicity and soil dinitropyrene (DNP) concentration (r2=0.87, p<0.0001). The plant assay data revealed excellent response ranges and significant differences between heavily contaminated, industrial, rural/agricultural, and reference sites, for the anaphase aberration in Allium cepa (direct soil contact) and the waxy locus mutation assay in Zea mays (direct soil contact). The Tradescantia assays appeared to be less responsive, particularly for exposures to aqueous soil leachates. Additional data analyses showed empirical relationships between anaphase aberrations in Allium, or mutations in Arabidopsis, and the 137Cs contamination of soils. Induction of micronuclei in Tradescantia is significantly related to the soil concentration of several metals (e.g., Sb, Cu, Cr, As, Pb, Cd, Ni, Zn). Review of published remediation exercises showed effective removal of genotoxic petrochemical wastes within one year. Remediation of more refractory genotoxic material (e.g., explosives, creosote) frequently showed increases in mutagenic hazard that remained for extended periods. Despite substantial contamination and mutagenic hazards, the risk of adverse effect (e.g., mutation, cancer) in humans or terrestrial biota is difficult to quantify.