Mechanisms of DNA damage induced by morin, an inhibitor of amyloid β-peptide aggregation

Reactive oxygen species-mediated cytotoxic and DNA-damaging mechanism of N4-hydroxycytidine, a metabolite of the COVID-19 therapeutic drug molnupiravir

Molnupiravir is a prodrug of the antiviral ribonucleoside analogue N4-hydroxycytidine (NHC), for use in the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, it is generally considered that NHC-triphosphate is incorporated into the host genome to induce mutations. In our previous preliminary report, we proposed oxidative DNA damage by NHC via cytidine deaminase (CDA)-mediated ROS formation. In the present study, we investigated cell viability using the HL-60 human leukemia cell line and its H2O2-resistant clone, HP100 cells. The survival rate was significantly reduced in HL-60 cells treated with NHC, but not in HP100 cells. LC-MS analysis revealed that uridine formation occurred from CDA-treated NHC, suggesting that CDA metabolizes NHC to uridine and hydroxylamine. We clarified mechanisms of CDA-mediated reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and DNA damage by NHC using isolated DNA. CDA-treated NHC induced DNA damage in the presence of Cu(II). The DNA damage was enhanced by NADH addition and piperidine treatment. CDA-treated NHC and Cu(II) caused piperidine-labile sites at thymine, cytosine, and guanine, and the DNA cleavage pattern was similar to that of hydroxylamine. Catalase and bathocuproine inhibited the DNA damage, indicating the involvement of H2O2 and Cu(I). An indicator of oxidative DNA damage, 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine formation by CDA-treated NHC, was lower under hypoxic conditions than under normal conditions. Therefore, hydroxylamine, possibly produced from NHC treated with CDA, could induce metal-dependent H2O2 generation during the redox reactions, suggesting that oxidative DNA damage induced by ROS plays an important role in molnupiravir-related cytotoxicity and mutagenicity.

Myricetin causes site-specific DNA damage via reactive oxygen species generation by redox interactions with copper ions

Myricetin (MYR), found in tea and berries, may have preventive effects on diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and cancer. However, MYR is also a mutagen, inducing DNA damage in the presence of metal ions. We have studied the molecular mechanisms of DNA damage by MYR in the presence of Cu(II) (MYR+Cu). Using 32P-5'-end-labeled DNA fragments, we analyzed site-specific DNA damage caused by MYR+Cu. MYR+Cu caused concentration-dependent DNA strand breaks and base alterations, leading to cleavage of DNA at thymine, cytosine, and guanine nucleotides. Formation of the oxidative DNA damage indicator, 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG), in calf thymus DNA was increased by MYR+Cu. The production of 8-oxodG in MYR-treated HL-60 cells was significantly higher than in HP100 cells, which are more resistant to H2O2 than are HL-60 cells. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavengers were used to elucidate the mechanism of DNA damage. DNA damage was not inhibited by typical free hydroxyl radical (•OH) scavengers such as ethanol, mannitol, or sodium formate. However, methional, catalase, and bathocuproine inhibited DNA damage induced by MYR+Cu. These results suggest that H2O2, Cu(I), and ROS other than •OH are involved in MYR+Cu-induced DNA damage. We conclude that the Cu(I)/Cu(II) redox cycle and concomitant H2O2 production via autoxidation of MYR generate a complex of H2O2 and Cu(I), probably Cu(I)-hydroperoxide, which induces oxidative DNA damage.

Natural polyphenols convert proteins into histone-binding ligands

Antioxidants are sensitive to oxidation and are immediately converted into their oxidized forms that can react with proteins. We have recently found that proteins incubated with oxidized vitamin C (dehydroascorbate) gain a new function as a histone-binding ligand. This finding led us to predict that antioxidants, through conversion to their oxidized forms, may generally have similar functions. In the present study, we identified several natural polyphenols as a source of histone ligands and characterized the mechanism for the interaction of protein-bound polyphenols with histone. Through screening of 25 plant-derived polyphenols by assessing their ability to convert bovine serum albumin into histone ligands, we identified seven polyphenols, including (-)-epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (EGCG). Additionally, we found that the histone tail domain, which is a highly charged and conformationally flexible region, is involved in the interaction with the polyphenol-modified proteins. Further mechanistic studies showed the involvement of a complex heterogeneous group of the polyphenol-derived compounds bound to proteins as histone-binding elements. We also determined that the interaction of polyphenol-modified proteins with histones formed aggregates and exerted a protective effect against histone-mediated cytotoxicity toward endothelial cells. These findings demonstrated that histones are one of the major targets of polyphenol-modified proteins and provide important insights into the chemoprotective functions of dietary polyphenols.

Current perspective on veterinary drug and chemical residues in food of animal origin

The marked increase in the demand for animal protein of high quality necessitates protecting animals from infectious diseases. This requires increasing the use of veterinary therapeutics. The overuse and misuse of veterinary products can cause a risk to human health either as short-term or long-term health problems. However, the biggest problem is the emergence of resistant strains of bacteria or parasites. This is in addition to economic losses due to the discarding of polluted milk or condemnation of affected carcasses. This paper discusses three key points: possible sources of drug and chemical residues, human health problems, and the possible method of control and prevention of veterinary drug residues in animal products.

Mechanism of reactive oxygen species generation and oxidative DNA damage induced by acrylohydroxamic acid, a putative metabolite of acrylamide

Acrylamide is formed during the heating of food and is also found in cigarette smoke. It is classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as a probable human carcinogen (Group 2A). Glycidamide, an epoxide metabolite of acrylamide, is implicated in the mechanism of acrylamide carcinogenicity. Acrylamide causes oxidative DNA damage in target organs. We sought to clarify the mechanism of acrylamide-induced oxidative DNA damage by investigating site-specific DNA damage and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation by a putative metabolite of acrylamide, acrylohydroxamic acid (AA). Our results, using ³²P-5'-end-labeled DNA fragments, indicated that, although AA alone did not damage DNA, AA treated with amidase induced DNA damage in the presence of Cu(II). DNA cleavage occurred preferentially at T and C, and particularly at T in 5'-TG-3' sequences, and the DNA cleavage pattern was similar to that of hydroxylamine. The DNA damage was inhibited by methional, catalase, and Cu(I)-chelator bathocuproine, suggesting that H₂O₂ and Cu(I) are involved in the mechanism of DNA damage induced by AA treated with amidase. In addition, amidase-treated AA increased 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine formation in calf thymus DNA, an indicator of oxidative DNA damage, in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, hydroxylamine, possibly produced from AA treated with amidase, was autoxidized via the Cu(II)/Cu(I) redox cycle and H₂O₂ generation, suggesting that oxidative DNA damage induced by ROS plays an important role in acrylamide-related carcinogenesis.

Recent Progress in the Drug Development for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease Especially on Inhibition of Amyloid-peptide Aggregation

As the world 's population is aging, Alzheimer's disease (AD) has become a big concern since AD has started affecting younger people and the population of AD patients is increasing worldwide. It has been revealed that the neuropathological hallmarks of AD are typically characterized by the presence of neurotoxic extracellular amyloid plaques in the brain, which are surrounded by tangles of neuronal fibers. However, the causes of AD have not been completely understood yet. Currently, there is no drug to effectively prevent AD or to completely reserve the symptoms in the patients. This article reviews the pathological features associated with AD, the recent progress in research on the drug development to treat AD, especially on the discovery of natural product derivatives to inhibit Aβ peptide aggregation as well as the design and synthesis of Aβ peptide aggregation inhibitors to treat AD.

Catechol-Type Flavonoids from the Branches of Elaeagnus glabra f. oxyphylla Exert Antioxidant Activity and an Inhibitory Effect on Amyloid-β Aggregation

Elaeagnus glabra f. oxyphylla (Elaeagnaceae) is a small evergreen tree with narrow lanceolate leaves that is native to Korea. In this work, we studied the chemical composition of E. glabra f. oxyphylla branches (EGFOB) for the first time. Additionally, we evaluated the effects of the ethanol extract of EGFOB and each of its chemical components on key mediators of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), namely, amyloid-β (Aβ) aggregation and oxidative stress. The ethanol extract of EGFOB decreased Aβ aggregation (IC₅₀ = 32.01 µg/mL) and the levels of the oxidative free radicals 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) (IC₅₀ = 11.35 and 12.32 µg/mL, respectively). Sixteen compounds were isolated from EGFOB. Among them, procyanidin B3 (8), procyanidin B4 (9), and helichrysoside (13) significantly inhibited Aβ aggregation (IC₅₀ = 14.59, 32.64, and 44.45 μM, respectively), indicating their potential as bioactive compounds to control Aβ aggregation. Furthermore, these compounds markedly enhanced in vitro scavenging activity against ABTS (IC₅₀ = 3.21–4.61 µM). In the DPPH test, they showed lower scavenging activity than in the ABTS test (IC₅₀ ≥ 54.88 µM). Thus, these results suggest that EGFOB and specifically compounds 8, 9, and 13 may be beneficial in AD prevention and treatment through their antioxidant and anti-Aβ aggregation activities.

Polyphenols with Anti-Amyloid β Aggregation Show Potential Risk of Toxicity Via Pro-Oxidant Properties

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia among older people. Amyloid β (Aβ) aggregation has been the focus for a therapeutic target for the treatment of AD. Naturally occurring polyphenols have an inhibitory effect on Aβ aggregation and have attracted a lot of attention for the development of treatment strategies which could mitigate the symptoms of AD. However, considerable evidence has shown that the pro-oxidant mechanisms of polyphenols could have a deleterious effect. Our group has established an assay system to evaluate the pro-oxidant characteristics of chemical compounds, based on their reactivity with DNA. In this review, we have summarized the anti-Aβ aggregation and pro-oxidant properties of polyphenols. These findings could contribute to understanding the mechanism underlying the potential risk of polyphenols. We would like to emphasize the importance of assessing the pro-oxidant properties of polyphenols from a safety point of view.