Reactive oxygen species mediate Epstein-Barr virus reactivation by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine

N-nitroso compounds (NOCs) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) reactivation have been suggested to play a role in the development of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Although chemicals have been shown to be a risk factor contributing to the carcinogenesis of NPC, the underlying mechanism is not fully understood. We demonstrated recently that N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) enhances the genomic instability and tumorigenicity of NPC cells via induction of EBV reactivation. However, the mechanisms that trigger EBV reactivation from latency remain unclear. Here, we address the role of ROS in induction of EBV reactivation under MNNG treatment. EBV reactivation was induced in over 70% of EBV-positive NA cells and the promoter of Rta (Rp) was activated after MNNG treatment. Inhibitor experiments revealed ATM, p38 MAPK and JNK were activated by ROS and involved in MNNG-induced EBV reactivation. Significantly, ROS scavengers N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), catalase and reduced glutathione inhibited EBV reactivation under MNNG and H₂O₂ treatment, suggesting ROS mediate EBV reactivation. The p53 was essential for EBV reactivation and the Rp activation by MNNG. Moreover, the p53 was phosphorylated, translocated into nucleus, and bound to Rp following ROS stimulation. The results suggest ROS play an important role in initiation of EBV reactivation by MNNG through a p53-dependent mechanism. Our findings demonstrate novel signaling mechanisms used by NOCs to induce EBV reactivation and provide a novel insight into NOCs link the EBV reactivation in the contribution to the development of NPC. Notably, this study indicates that antioxidants might be effective for inhibiting N-nitroso compound-induced EBV reactivation and therefore could be promising preventive and therapeutic agents for EBV reactivation-associated malignancies.

Food borne yeasts as DNA-bioprotective agents against model genotoxins

Yeasts isolated from Italian beverages and foods (wine and cheeses) were identified as Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Debaryomyces hansenii by sequencing the D1/D2 domain of the 26S rRNA gene and differentiated, at strain level, by microsatellite PCR fingerprinting and RAPD-PCR. All the strains showed antioxidant activity, as demonstrated by their ability to scavenge the free radical diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Furthermore, tested strains revealed high in vitro inhibitory activity against two model genotoxins, 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4-NQO) and N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG), as showed by short-term methods with different target cells: SOS-Chromotest with Escherichia coli PQ37 and Comet assay with HT-29 enterocytes. High inhibitory activity towards 4-NQO was associated with cell viability, while heat-inactivated cells showed a reduced antigenotoxic capability. Surprisingly, high inhibition of MNNG genotoxicity was observed even with heat-treated cells. Moreover, the strains able to inhibit the genotoxins induced some changes in the spectroscopic properties of the original compound. This result perfectly agrees with the information obtained by the two bioassays. Interestingly, strains characterized for antioxidant and antigenotoxic properties, also presented acid-bile tolerance, indicating that food autochthonous yeasts could be expected to reach gut in viable form and thus prevent genotoxin DNA damage in situ.

The Escherichia coli alkylation response protein AidB is a redox partner of flavodoxin and binds RNA and acyl carrier protein

Microorganisms are exposed to a wide variety of exogenous and endogenous chemical agents that alkylate DNA. Escherichia coli cells exhibit an adaptive response that recognizes and repairs alkylated DNA lesions using Ada, AlkA, and AlkB enzymes. Another alkylation response protein, the DNA-binding flavoprotein AidB, was proposed to repair DNA or protect it from chemical alkylating agents, but direct evidence for its role is lacking. Here, AidB was shown to form tight complexes with both flavodoxin and acyl carrier protein. In addition, electron transfer between 1-electron and 2-electron reduced flavodoxin to oxidized AidB was observed, although with very small rate constants. AidB was found to bind to RNA, raising the prospect that the protein may have a role in protection of RNA from chemical alkylation. Finally, the reagent N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine was eliminated as a direct substrate of the enzyme.

Enhanced vanillin production from recombinant E. coli using NTG mutagenesis and adsorbent resin

Vanillin production was tested with different concentrations of added ferulic acid in E. coli harboring plasmid pTAHEF containing fcs (feruloyl-CoA synthase) and ech (enoyl-CoA hydratase/aldolase) genes cloned from Amycolatopsis sp. strain HR104. The maximum production of vanillin from E. coli DH5alpha harboring pTAHEF was found to be 1.0 g/L at 2.0 g/L of ferulic acid for 48 h of culture. To improve the vanillin production by reducing its toxicity, two approaches were followed: (1) generation of vanillin-resistant mutant of NTG-VR1 through NTG mutagenesis and (2) removal of toxic vanillin from the medium by XAD-2 resin absorption. The vanillin production of NTG-VR1 increased to three times at 5 g/L of ferulic acid when compared with its wild-type strain. When 50% (w/v) of XAD-2 resin was employed in culture with 10 g/L of ferulic acid, the vanillin production of NTG-VR1 was 2.9 g/L, which was 2-fold higher than that obtained with no use of the resin.

Chemical carcinogen, N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine, is a specific activator of oncogenic Ras

N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) is a well-known chemical carcinogen that is widely used for animal carcinogenesis model. Treatment of MNNG, through drinking-water, can evoke multiple tumors in gastro-intestinal tract. In addition, MNNG shows the synergic effect with infection such as H. pylori on gastric cancer formation. Although tumorigenic ability of MNNG is known to be related with DNA alkylation, however, recent reports suggested that MNNG-induced tumors do not show the difference in DNA methylation, and genetic mutation profile is quite different from similar DNA alkylating agent, MNU-inducing cancer. Otherwise, genetic mutation of Ras is frequently detected in MNNG-induced tumors. Considering them, tumorigenic property of MNNG would be related with Ras. So we checked the effect of MNNG on Ras pathway. In this study, we demonstrated that MNNG could activate Ras-MAPK pathway as oncogenic Ras dependent manner. Activation of Erk by MNNG could not suppressed by cycloheximide and ALLN. In addition, Inhibition of PI3K, p38/HOG1, Raf, and CDK could not block the MNNG-induced p-Erk activation, whereas U0126 and PD98059 abolished it. Moreover, MNNG could reduce the expression of E-cadherin and promote dissociation of beta-catenin from E-cadherin through oncogenic-Ras-MAPK pathway. These results strongly suggested that oncogenic Ras would be direct target of MNNG and provided new insight that carcinogen also possesses it specific target.

Homologous recombination rescues mismatch-repair-dependent cytotoxicity of S(N)1-type methylating agents in S. cerevisiae

Resistance of mammalian cells to S(N)1-type methylating agents such as N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) generally arises through increased expression of methylguanine methyltransferase (MGMT), which reverts the cytotoxic O(6)-methylguanine ((Me)G) to guanine, or through inactivation of the mismatch repair (MMR) system, which triggers cell death through aberrant processing of (Me)G/T mispairs generated during DNA replication when MGMT capacity is exceeded. Given that MMR and (Me)G-detoxifying proteins are functionally conserved through evolution, and that MMR-deficient Escherichia coli dam(-) strains are also resistant to MNNG, the finding that MMR status did not affect the sensitivity of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to MNNG was unexpected. Because (Me)G residues in DNA trigger homologous recombination (HR), we wondered whether the efficient HR in S. cerevisiae might alleviate the cytotoxic effects of (Me)G processing. We now show that HR inactivation sensitizes S. cerevisiae to MNNG and that, as in human cells, defects in the MMR genes MLH1 and MSH2 rescue this sensitivity. Inactivation of the EXO1 gene, which encodes the only exonuclease implicated in MMR to date, failed to rescue the hypersensitivity, which implies that scExo1 is not involved in the processing of (Me)G residues by the S. cerevisiae MMR system.

Apoptotic signaling in response to a single type of DNA lesion, O(6)-methylguanine

Until now, it has been difficult to establish exactly how a specific DNA lesion signals apoptosis because each DNA damaging agent produces a collection of distinct DNA lesions and produces damage in RNA, protein, and lipids. We have developed a system in human cells that focuses on the response to a single type of DNA lesion, namely O(6)-methylguanine (O(6)MeG). We dissect the signaling pathways involved in O(6)MeG-induced apoptosis, a response dependent on the MutSalpha heterodimer that is normally involved in DNA mismatch repair. O(6)MeG triggers robust activation of caspases associated with both death receptor- and mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis. Despite this, O(6)MeG/MutSalpha-triggered apoptosis is only partly dependent on caspase activation; moreover, it is mediated solely by mitochondrial signaling and not at all by death receptor signaling. Finally, while Bcl-2 and Bcl-x(L), negative regulators of mitochondrial-regulated apoptosis, could effectively block O(6)MeG/MutSalpha-dependent apoptosis, they were unable to prevent the cells from ultimately dying.

Effect of volume of culture medium on enhanced citric acid productivity by a mutant culture of Aspergillus niger in stirred fermentor

AIMS

The present study deals with the effect of volume of culture medium on enhanced citric acid productivity by a mutant culture of Aspergillus niger.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A laboratory scale stirred fermentor of 15-l capacity was employed for all microbial cultivations. Blackstrap molasses, a by-product of sugar industries is easily and abundantly available for its exploitation as a carbon source in fermentation processes. The parental culture of A. niger was improved by mutation using ultraviolet radiations and N-methyl N-nitro N-nitroso guanidine, i.e. mutagen MNNG. Six MUV and eight MNNG-treated mutant strains were isolated after extensive screening and optimization. Mutant strain of A. niger MNNG-2 showed enhanced citric productivity (87.60 g l-1) over the parental strain BTL-45 (19.53 g l-1) and other mutant derivatives (49.85 g l-1 citric acid in case of mutant MUV-5 and 76.82 g l-1 in case of mutant MNNG-7). The optimal sugar level was found to be 150 g l-1 (optimum volume of the medium, 60%) after 6 days of inoculation, which is economically significant. Specific productivity of the mutant culture MNNG-2 (qp = 0.057 g/g cells h-1) was several folds higher than other strains.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The results of the present study are of commercial level. All kinetic parameters including yield coefficients and volumetric rates revealed the hyper-producibility of citric acid by mutant MNNG-2 using blackstrap molasses as the basal medium in stirred fermentor.

Physiological alterations and regulation of heterocyst and nitrogenase formation in Het(-) Fix(-) mutant strain of Anabaena variabilis

Physiological alterations and regulation of heterocyst and nitrogenase formation have been studied in Het(-) Fix(-) mutant strain of diazotrophic cyanobacterium Anabaena variabilis. Het(-) Fix(-) mutant strain of A. variabilis has been isolated by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N"-nitrosoguanidine (NTG) mutagenesis and was screened with the penicillin enrichment (500 microg ml(-1)). Growth, heterocyst differentiation, nitrogenase and glutamine synthetase (biosynthetic and transferase), (14)CO(2)-fixation, nitrate reductase (NR), nitrite reductase (NiR), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), and isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) activities, and NO(3)(-), NO(2)(-), and NH(4)(+) uptake and whole cell protein profile in different metabolic conditions were studied in the Het(-) Fix(-) mutant strain taking wild-type A. variabilis as reference. Het(-) Fix(-) mutant strain was incapable of assimilating elemental nitrogen (N(2)) due to its inability to form heterocysts and nitrogenase and this was the reason for its inability to grow in BG-11(0) medium (free from combined nitrogen). In contrast, wild-type strain grew reasonably well in the absence of combined nitrogen sources and also showed heterocyst differentiation (8.5%) and nitrogenase activity (10.8 etamol C(2)H(4) formed microg(-1) Chl a h(-1)) in N(2)-medium. Wild-type strain also exhibited higher NR, NiR, and GS activities compared to its Het(-) Fix(-) mutant strain, which may presumably be due to acquisition of high uptake of NO(3)(-), NO(2)(-), and NH(2)(+). Wild-type strain in contrast to its Het(-) Fix(-) mutant strain also exhibited high level of G6PDH, IDH, and (14)CO(2) fixation activities. Low levels of G6PDH and IDH activities in Het(-) Fix(-) mutant strain further confirmed the lack of heterocyst differentiation and nitrogenase activity in the Het(-) Fix(-) mutant strain.NR, NiR, and GS activities in both the strains were energy-dependent and the energy required is mainly derived from photophosphorylation. Furthermore, it was found that de novo protein synthesis is necessarily required for the activities of NR, NiR, and GS in both wild-type and its Het(-) Fix(-) mutant strain.

Production of hydroxyl free radical in the xanthine oxidase system with addition of 1-methyl-3-nitro-1-nitrosoguanidine

We have examined the mechanism of 1-methyl-3-nitro-1-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG)-induced gastric cancer with respect to the production of hydroxyl free radical (OH). Nucleophilic attack by H2O2 on the nitroso group of MNNG produces 1-methyl-3-nitroguanidine (MNG) and the intermediate peroxynitric acid (ONOOH), which splits into hydroxyl free radical (OH) and nitrogen dioxide leading to the formation of nitric and nitrate ions in water. Xanthine oxidase (XO) induces the production of O2.- or H2O2 from molecular oxygen, depending on the overall level of enzyme reduction. In this study, we examined OH production by the reaction of MNNG with H2O2 derived from the XO-HX system containing XO and the purine substrate hypoxanthine by ESR using the spin trapping reagent 5,5'-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO). OH was produced in the XO-HX-DMPO system with addition of MNNG (the MNNG-XO-HX-DMPO system) under aerobic conditions, but was not in the XO-HX-DMPO system, and production of OH was inhibited by catalase but not by superoxide dismutase, suggesting that OH was produced by the reaction of MNNG with H2O2 derived from the XO-HX system. The production of OH was significantly increased with increase in the reducing activity of XO, though that of O2.- was not, also suggesting the O2(.-)-independent .OH production. The productions of nitrite ion and MNG in the MNNG-XO-HX system were determined by the colorimetric method and HPLC, respectively. Based on these findings, we conclude that .OH was produced by homolytic split of the intermediate ONOOH formed by nucleophilic attack of H2O2 derived from the XO-HX system on MNNG.

N-nitrososdimethylamine is activated in microsomes from hepatocytes to reactive metabolites which damage DNA of non-parenchymal cells in rat liver

The liver carcinogen N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) has to be metabolically activated by specific cytochromes before it can react with cellular macromolecules (e.g. proteins or DNA). Although hepatocytes are believed to be responsible for this activation, the liver tumours originate mainly from non-parenchymal cells (NPC). To investigate their activation capacity we determined NDMA-demethylase activity in isolated microsomes from both liver cell types. The results demonstrate that only hepatocytes have activation capacity. Additional experiments were performed with hepatocytes and NPC using the single cell microgel electrophoresis assay (MGE). DNA damage appears in both cell types following in vivo exposure. Tested in vitro, however, the carcinogens induce DNA damages only in hepatocytes (the cells which activate these compounds). N-nitroso-hydroxymethyl-methylamine could be the responsible metabolite as it is stable enough to be transported from hepatocytes to NPC in an intact liver.

A comparison of mutation spectra detected by the Escherichia coli lac(+) reversion assay and the Salmonella typhimurium his(+) reversion assay

Each of the Escherichia coli tester strains in the WP3101P-WP3106P series contains an F' plasmid with a different base substitution mutation within the lacZ gene. Each of the six possible base substitution mutations, therefore, can be assayed with these strains by Lac(+) reversion. We used the strains to characterize the mutational profiles of 21 chemical mutagens, including alkylating agents, base analogs and oxidative compounds. We also assayed the mutagens with Salmonella typhimurium tester strains TA7002, TA7004 and TA7005, which detect A.T-->T.A, G.C-->A.T and G.C-->T.A mutations, respectively, and we compared the sensitivity and specificity of the two systems. Escherichia coli strain WP3102P was more sensitive than the S.TYPHIMURIUM: strains to G.C-->A.T transitions induced by N(4)-aminocytidine, 5-azacytidine, cumene hydroperoxide (CHP), t-butyl hydroperoxide (BHP), N-ethyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (ENNG), methyl methane sulfonate and N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU), while the reverse was true for G.C-->A.T transitions induced by 2-aminopurine and phosmet. Escherichia coli strain WP3104P, which detects G.C-->T.A transversions, was superior to the S.TYPHIMURIUM: strains in detecting transversions induced by N(4)-aminocytidine, 5-azacytidine, 5-diazouracil, CHP, BHP, ENNG, ENU, 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4-NQO) and 3-chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone (MX). Escherichia coli WP3105P was also more sensitive than S. TYPHIMURIUM: to A.T-->T.A transversions induced by N-methyl-N- nitrosourea (MNU), CHP and 4-NQO, but it was less sensitive to those induced by ENNG, ENU and 2-aminopurine. The present results indicate that the E.COLI: Lac(+) reversion system with tester strains WP3101P-WP3106P is as sensitive as the S.TYPHIMURIUM: His(+) reversion system for the detection of specific mutations induced by a variety of direct mutagens.

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase is a mediator of necrotic cell death by ATP depletion

Apoptotic and necrotic cell death are well characterized and are influenced by intracellular ATP levels. Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), a nuclear enzyme activated by DNA strand breaks, physiologically participates in DNA repair. Overactivation of PARP after cellular insults can lead to cell death caused by depletion of the enzyme's substrate beta-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and of ATP. In this study, we have differentially elicited apoptosis or necrosis in mouse fibroblasts. Fibroblasts from PARP-deficient (PARP(-/-)) mice are protected from necrotic cell death and ATP depletion but not from apoptotic death. These findings, together with cell death patterns in PARP(-/-) animals receiving other types of insults, indicate that PARP activation is an active trigger of necrosis, whereas other mechanisms mediate apoptosis.

Suppression of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine- and S-nitrosoglutathione-induced apoptosis by Bcl-2 through inhibiting glutathione-S-transferase pi in NIH3T3 cells

In this study, both NIH3T3 and Bcl-2 transfected NIH3T3 cells were examined for their propensity to undergo nitroso compound-induced apoptosis. Bcl-2-expressing NIH3T3 prevented N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG)- and S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO)-induced apoptosis as compared with the control NIH3T3 cells. Flow cytometry revealed that NIH3T3 cells treated with MNNG undergo apoptotic death, which occurred after G2-M arrest in the second cycle of cell proliferation. The mechanism of MNNG-induced NIH3T3 cells apoptosis was observed throughout the activation of caspase-3 protease, PARP degradation and cytochrome c release; it was independent of p53 activation. Glutathione-S-transferanse pi (GST pi) is activated through the transcription activation of antioxidant response element (ARE) during MNNG- and GSNO-induced cell apoptosis. Moreover, overexpression of Bcl-2 in NIH3T3 cells can prevent these features of cell death. Furthermore, both MNNG- and GSNO-induced apoptosis of NIH3T3 cells were accompanied with a decrease in the level of glutathione (GSH); whereas Bcl-2 overexpression led to an increase in total cellular glutathione. MNNG was metabolized rapidly to nitric oxide that reacted with glutathione under the catalysis of GSH transferase in NIH3T3 cell to form GSNO. In short, the production of GSNO in cells was found capable of apoptosis initiation while the overexpression of Bcl-2 can prevent MNNG-mediated cell apoptosis through the elevation of glutathione levels.

Effect of gastric secretion on penetration of N-3H-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine into gastric mucosa of rats

Clinical conditions with low gastric acid secretion have been associated with increased risk of gastric cancer. There has also been concern about gastric acid inhibition and N-nitroso compound formation in the stomach. This study investigates the effect of gastric acid secretion on the penetration of N-3H-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine, an N-nitroso compound and gastric carcinogen, into the gastric mucosa of rats. Gastric acid secretion was stimulated by pentagastrin (40 microg/kg/hr) and inhibited by omeprazole (40 micromol/kg) before mucosal exposure to N-3H-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine. Penetration of the carcinogen was evaluated by light microscopic identification of cells in the S-phase labeled with N-3H-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine. This population of double-labeled cells is considered at risk from N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine-induced carcinogenesis. The percentage of double-labeled cells was significantly higher in antrum than in corpus mucosa (P < 0.0001). Stimulation or inhibition of gastric acid secretion did not affect the penetration of N-3H-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in antrum or corpus mucosa. We conclude that modulation of gastric acid secretion does not affect the penetration of the carcinogen into the gastric mucosa nor does it explain the different penetration of the carcinogen into corpus and antrum mucosa.

Nucleocytoplasmic functionality of metallothionein

Appropriate nucleocytoplasmic partitioning of proteins can direct diverse cellular processes. Metallothioneins (MTs) are thiol-rich, stress-inducible proteins that can afford protection against oxidants, mutagens, and anticancer drugs. MTs display discrete nucleocytoplasmic sequestration patterns despite their small size (Mr 6,000). We demonstrate subcellular location-specific functionality of MT using a regulated expression system that restricts MT expression to the nucleus or the cytoplasm in MT-null fibroblasts. Specifically, we found that cytoplasmic but not nuclear expression of MT decreases the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species and is more cytoprotective against the prototypic oxidizing agent tert-butyl hydroperoxide. Cytoplasmic MT expression also protects against the cytotoxicity of the heavy metal CdCl2, whereas nuclear expression protects against the cytotoxicity of the mutagenic agent N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine. These data support the hypothesis that essential cytotoxic targets of both oxidants and heavy metals reside in the cytoplasm and establish the importance of nucleocytoplasmic partitioning for the function of small protective proteins such as MTs.

A new Salmonella typhimurium NM5004 strain expressing rat glutathione S-transferase 5-5: use in detection of genotoxicity of dihaloalkanes using an SOS/umu test system

The Escherichia coli mu operon was subcloned into a pKK233-2 vector containing rat glutathione S-transferase (GST) 5-5 cDNA and the plasmid thus obtained was introduced into Salmonella typhimurium TA1535. The newly developed strain S.typhimurium NM5004, was found to have 52-fold greater GST activity than the original umu strain S.typhimurium TA1535/pSK1002. We compared sensitivities of these two tester strains, NM5004 and TA1535/pSK1002, for induction of umuC gene expression with several dihaloalkanes which are activated or inactivated by GST 5-5 activity. The induction of umuC gene expression by these chemicals was monitored by measuring the cellular beta-galactosidase activity produced by umuC"lacZ fusion gene in these two tester strains. Ethylene dibromide, 1-bromo-2-chloroethane, 1,2-dichloroethane, and methylene dichloride induced umuC gene expression more strongly in the NM5004 strain than the original strain. 4-Nitroquinoline 1-oxide and N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine were found to induce umuC gene expression to similar extents in both strains. In the case of 1-nitropyrene and 2-nitrofluorene, however, NM5004 strain showed weaker umuC gene expression responses than the original TA1535/pSK1002 strain. 1,2-Epoxy-3-(4'-nitrophenoxy)propane, a known substrate for GST 5-5, was found to inhibit umuC induction caused by 1-bromo-2-chloroethane. These results indicate that this new tester NM5004 strain expressing a mammalian GST theta class enzyme may be useful for studies of environmental chemicals proposed to be activated or inactivated by GST activity.

Cytotoxicity induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine may involve S-nitrosyl glutathione and nitric oxide

1. The mutagenic/carcinogenic activity of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N- nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) is generally thought to involve direct methylation of DNA guanine by methyldiazohydroxide, an alkylating hydrolysis product. The molecular cytotoxic mechanism of MNNG was studied in order to determine if and how MNNG is metabolically activated. 2. MNNG was rapidly metabolized by glutathione (GSH) and GSH transferase in rat hepatocyte to form S-nitrosylglutathione (GNSO). After GSH depletion, mitochondrial respiration inhibition, ATP depletion and lipid peroxidation ensued before cell death occurred. However, depleting hepatocyte GSH beforehand prevented MNNG cytotoxicity, lipid peroxidation and the inhibition of mitochondrial respiration, suggesting that GSNO initiated the cytotoxic process. 3. The iron chelator desferoxamine or various antioxidants prevented both cytotoxicity and lipid peroxidation, even when added after MNNG metabolism, suggesting a free radical-mediated mechanism of cytotoxicity. The P450 inhibitors phenylimidazole, metyrapone and imidazole also prevented MNNG cytotoxicity. 4. Similar results were previously obtained for butyl nitrite induced hepatocyte cytotoxicity, which suggest that MNNG cytotoxicity can be attributed to metabolic activation to GSNO rather than direct methylation of macromolecules.

Xeroderma pigmentosum group E binding factor recognizes a broad spectrum of DNA damage

Xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group E binding factor (XPE-BF) is a damaged DNA binding protein that is deficient in a subset of patients from complementation group E of xeroderma pigmentosum. The protein recognizes various forms of DNA damage including some cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers, 6-4 photoproducts, cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) adducts, and single-stranded DNA. We now show that it also recognizes damage induced by nitrogen mustard; N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine, and depurination, but has no detectable affinity for DNA adducts generated by trans-diamminedichloroplatinum(II), 4-nitroquinoline-N-oxide, 8-methoxypsoralen, or enzymatically methylated cytosine and adenine. The failure to recognize 4-nitroquinoline-N-oxide and 8-methoxypsoralen adducts is consistent with previous reports that XPE cells carry out wild-type levels of repair synthesis after DNA damage by those drugs. These results demonstrate that XPE-BF is a versatile damage recognition protein, but suggest that other proteins must contribute to the recognition of DNA lesions for the human excision repair pathway.

Effect of salt on cell proliferation and N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine penetration to proliferative cells in the forestomach of rats

We have studied the effect of intragastric instillation of 4.5 M NaCl on cell proliferation and carcinogen penetration into the forestomach of Wistar rats at different time intervals after salt exposure. Cells in the S-phase were labelled by incorporation of bromodeoxyuridine and located after immunohistochemistry. N-[3H]Methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine ([3H]MNNG) was used as the carcinogen and penetration of [3H]MNNG to proliferative cells was determined by autoradiography. The number of cells in S-phase per millimetre epithelium length 12 h and 24 h after salt exposure (32.2 +/- 11.9 and 20.6 +/- 7.4) was significantly higher than in the control animals (9.4 +/- 3.6). No increase in cell proliferation occurred during the first 2 h after salt exposure. Microscopy also revealed oedema in the lamina propia. The forestomach blood flow was not influenced by the application of hypertonic saline. [3H]MNNG at a concentration of 40 micrograms/ml did not penetrate to the proliferative cells in the forestomach and no effect of salt pretreatment on carcinogen penetration was seen. The low penetration of [3H]MNNG to proliferative cells in the forestomach epithelium may explain why this concentration of MNNG given in drinking water over several weeks usually does not induce squamous cell carcinomas in the forestomach. The previously observed cocarcinogenic effect of salt on squamous cell cercinogenesis in the upper gastrointestinal tract could be due to the observed increase in cell proliferation after salt exposure.

The excretion of 7-methyladenine in the urine of rats exposed to carcinogenic methylating agents

Earlier studies showed that urine of rats which had been injected with the methylating agent N-[3H-methyl]-N-nitrosourea contained a previously undetected metabolic product, 7-[3H-methyl]adenine. This methylpurine, undoubtedly derived from alkylation of nucleic acids followed by depurination, was not labeled when 14C-methyl-labeled methionine was administered concurrently. To establish whether urinary 7-methyladenine (7-MA) might serve as a marker of exposure to exogenous and carcinogenic methylating agents, the excretion of 7-MA following injection of methylating agents was measured. A GC-MS method, using pentafluorobenzyl derivatives and an internal standard of tri-deutero-7-MA, was developed to assay levels of 7-MA. Increasing the i.p. dose of N-methylnitrosourea (MNU) from 2 to 80 mg/kg/rat resulted in a linear increase in urinary 7-MA, which at the highest dose was 1.6 micrograms during the first day and another 0.4 microgram during day 2. Doses of 5 mg/kg MNU led to elevated urinary levels of 7-MA (144 ng) compared to controls (26 ng). Other methylating agents, such as dimethylnitrosamine, N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine and dimethyl sulfate, also provided urinary 7-MA. To determine the fate of injected 7-MA, the administration of 2 micrograms 7-[3H-methyl]adenine led to an 80% recovery of radioactivity in the urine, almost all of it during the first 24 h. No other labeled metabolites were detected. At least for the rat, urinary 7-MA serves as an indicator of exposure to methylating agents.

Inhibition of the bacterial mutagenicity of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine by ascorbic acid and ascorbyl palmitate

The mechanism of antimutagenic activity of ascorbic acid (AA) and its derivatives was studied using the Salmonella typhimurium TA100 bacterial test system. All substances studied inhibited N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG)-induced mutagenesis. Ascorbyl palmitate (AP) markedly decreased the numbers of his+ revertants, behaving as a membrane-active antimutagen. A comparative study of the antioxidative activity of the investigated substances in the methyl oleate (MO) system has demonstrated that AA and its derivatives have pro-oxidant properties within the limits of the concentrations studied. The results obtained do not agree with the common view of the mode of action of these antimutagens, including both inhibition of free radical processes and MNNG reductive inactivation.

Effect of salt-induced mucosal damage and healing on penetration of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine to proliferative cells in the gastric mucosa of rats

We have studied the effect of gastric exposure to 4.5 M NaCl on penetration of a carcinogen, N-[3H]methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (3H-MNNG) from the gastric lumen to proliferative cells in the gastric mucosa of Wistar rats at different time intervals after salt exposure. Cells in S-phase were labeled by incorporation of bromodeoxyuridine. Cells in S-phase labeled with 3H-MNNG (double-labeled cells) are the cell population at risk of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG)-induced gastric carcinogenesis. Ten minutes after salt damage the average percentage S-phase cells labeled with 3H-MNNG in pylorus was significantly decreased compared to control (1.2 +/- 0.6 and 9.5 +/- 0.7). Ten minutes after salt exposure a marked increase in gastric mucosal blood flow and leakage of fluid from the mucosa into the gastric lumen were observed, and the damaged gastric mucosa was covered by a thick mucoid layer. These factors may contribute to the reduced 3H-MNNG penetration into mucosa immediately after damage. Two hours after salt exposure the number of double-labeled cells (8.6 +/- 3.7/mm) and percentage S-phase cells labeled with 3H-MNNG (10.4 +/- 3.1) in pylorus did not differ from control (6.1 +/- 0.9/mm and 9.5 +/- 0.7). Twelve and 24 h after salt exposure the number of double-labeled cells (79.6 +/- 13.4/mm and 32.4 +/- 2.4/mm) and the percentage S-phase cells labeled with 3H-MNNG (29.7 +/- 2.8 and 18.9 +/- 1.3) in pylorus were significantly increased compared to control. Increased number of S-phase cells, a higher location of the proliferative zone in the glandular layer were observed 12-24 h after salt exposure and increased permeability of the mucosa to carcinogen was observed 12 h after salt exposure. These factors explain the increased number of double-labeled cells and the increased penetration of carcinogens to the proliferative cells, and may contribute to explain the previously described cocarcinogenic effect of salt on gastric carcinogenesis.

Tissue and cell specific methylation, repair and synthesis of DNA in the upper gastrointestinal tract of Wistar rats treated with N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine via the drinking water

Several potential cancer risk factors have been monitored concurrently in the upper gastrointestinal tract of young male Wistar rats given N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) via the drinking water, a regimen that induces a high yield of tumours in the pylorus and to a lesser extent in the duodenum. Radioimmunoassay was used to determine the amounts of O6-methyl-2'-deoxyguanosine (O6-MedG) formed in the tissue DNA of rats given MNNG at doses of 40 or 80 micrograms/ml for periods of 3, 6 and 12 weeks. The highest adduct concentration was found in the pylorus with progressively lower concentrations in the corpus and duodenum, jejunum, forestomach and oesophagus. Between 3 and 12 weeks these adduct levels decreased in all tissues and there was no evidence of a dose dependent accumulation of O6-MedG. When analysed by immunohistochemistry the distribution of cells with nuclei containing O6-MedG was seen to be heterogeneous in the various tissues. O6-Alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase activity increased during the 12 weeks of MNNG treatment in oesophagus and forestomach, but decreased to approximately 50% of the initial value in the corpus, pylorus, duodenum and jejunum. The major changes in DNA synthesis and cell proliferation were the marked upward expansion (i.e. towards the lumen) of the zone of replicating cells in the glands of the pylorus and the greatly increased numbers of replicating damaged cells (i.e. cells that contained O6-MedG whilst undergoing DNA synthesis) as determined by sequential immunohistochemical analysis and autoradiography. Such cells are the probable target cells in this chronic dose carcinogenesis regime. Although similar changes also occurred in the glands of the corpus these were of lesser extent and the changes of labelling index in the oesophagus and forestomach were relatively minor. In the duodenum, MNNG treatment led to erosion of the upper part of the glands so that the zone of cells containing O6-MedG overlapped with the zone of proliferating cells resulting in the formation of many replicating damaged cells. Thus, as in the single dose study (see preceding paper) the distribution of replicating damaged cells coincides with the tumour yield in the tissues of the upper gastrointestinal tract. As in the case of single doses of MNNG the risk factors for carcinogenesis are, a significant level of DNA damage, a lower capacity for DNA repair and an increased DNA synthetic activity, again suggesting that carcinogenic risk cannot readily be determined by studying risk factors individually.

Tissue and cell specific methylation, repair and synthesis of DNA in the upper gastrointestinal tract of Wistar rats treated with single doses of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine

Several potential cancer risk factors have been monitored concurrently in the upper gastrointestinal tract of young adult male Wistar rats given single (i.g.) doses of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) which readily induces forestomach tumours under these conditions. Radioimmunoassay was used to determine the formation of O6-methyl-2'-deoxyguanosine (O6-MedG) in DNA after MNNG doses of 1, 5, 25 or 50 mg/kg and was found to be highest in the pylorus, with progressively lower levels in the corpus, forestomach, duodenum, oesophagus and jejunum. Immunohistochemical procedures showed that cells with nuclei containing O6-MedG were heterogeneously distributed in these tissues. O6-Alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase activity in untreated animals was highest in the mucosae of the corpus, lower and relatively similar in that of the pylorus, duodenum and jejunum and lowest in the tissues of oesophagus and forestomach. Estimates of DNA synthesis and cell proliferation indicated a 5-fold increase in the DNA labelling index in the forestomach whereas perturbations of DNA synthetic activity in the other tissues of the upper gastrointestinal tract were much less marked. As a result of these changes, cells with nuclei that contained O6-MedG and were also undergoing DNA synthesis (determined by sequential immunohistochemical analysis and autoradiography) were found most commonly in the forestomach and to a lesser extent in the pylorus. This distribution of replicating damaged cells corresponds with the relative tumour yields in these upper gastrointestinal tract tissues and such cells are the probable targets in this single dose carcinogenesis regime. Thus, whilst the highest concentration of O6-MedG did not correlate tumour incidence, the overall risk for tumour induction did correlate with a significant level of DNA damage, a lower capacity for DNA repair and a marked increase in DNA synthesis over the constitutive level in the target cells. Carcinogenic risk in this system is therefore more readily determined by studying several risk factors simultaneously.

Interaction of pine cone extract fraction VI with mutagens

Pine cone extract fraction VI (PC-VI) inhibited the mutagenicity of the promutagens tested: the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) dose-dependently, and the aromatic amines 2-aminoanthracene (AA) and 2-acetylaminofluorene (AAF) at high concentrations. PC-VI had no effect on the mutagenicity of the direct-acting mutagens 2-(2-furyl)-3-(5-nitrofuryl)acrylamide (AF-2) and N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG), but inhibited the mutagenicity of the direct-acting mutagen N-hydroxy 2-acetylaminofluorene (N-OH AAF, proximate mutagen of AAF). The addition of PC-VI to rat hepatic microsomes resulted in a decrease of their enzyme activities, especially NADPH-cytochrome c reductase. By gas-chromatographic analysis of B[a]P or AA contents after incubation of B[a]P or AA and PC-VI and S9 mix, the inhibition of hepatic metabolizing enzymes and the interaction between AA and PC-VI were confirmed. On the other hand, PC-VI had no effect on the DNA repair systems for B[a]P- or AA-induced mutagenesis. We conclude that PC-VI shows indirect antimutagenicity by interfering with cytochrome P-450-dependent bioactivation and by direct interaction with AA and the proximate mutagenic product of AAF.

Penetration of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine to proliferative cells in gastric mucosa of rats is different in pylorus and fundus and depends on exposure time and solvent

We have studied the penetration of a labeled gastric carcinogen, N-(3H)methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (3H-MNNG), from the gastric lumen to proliferative cells in the gastric mucosa of Wistar rats. 3H-MNNG was dissolved in deionized water or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and given intragastrically through a tube in the forestomach. Cells in the S-phase were labeled by incorporation of bromodeoxy-uridine. Penetration of the carcinogen was evaluated by light microscopy after immunohistochemistry and autoradiography. Cells in S-phase labeled with 3H-MNNG (double-labeled cells) are considered to represent the cell population at risk of MNNG-induced carcinogenesis. When deionized water was used as solvent for the carcinogen, the average percentage of double-labeled cells in the pylorus was 12.0, 22.4 and 32.5 respectively, after 10, 30 and 60 min of mucosal exposure to 3H-MNNG. The corresponding percentages for the fundus mucosa were 1.7, 3.1 and 3.4, which are significantly lower than the pylorus values. When DMSO was used as solvent for the carcinogen, the percentage of double-labeled cells was 0.3 and 1.1 in the pylorus and 0.1 and 1.3 in the fundus after 10 and 30 min exposure to 3H-MNNG. Dimethyl sulfoxide caused superficial mucosal damage to the gastric mucosa and increased secretion of fluid into the stomach. Our results strongly suggest that gastric cancer develops in the pylorus because the carcinogen penetrates more easily into pyloric than fundic mucosa. The results support the view that delayed gastric emptying is a risk factor in gastric carcinogenesis, and show that DMSO counteracts the penetration of MNNG into the mucosa.

Use of fluorescently tagged DNA and an automated DNA sequencer for the comparison of the sequence selectivity of SN1 and SN2 alkylating agents

This paper describes the application of the novel nonradioactive technique for studying the sequence selectivity of selected alkylating agents. N-Nitroso-N-methylurea (MNU) and N-methyl-N'-nitro-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) were chosen from the SN1 group of alkylating agents. Dimethyl sulphate (DMS) was used to represent alkylation profile produced by the SN2 compounds. Results of SN1 compounds indicated that in a run (G)3 the latter two Gs are more susceptible to alkylation than the most 5' G. Moreover, in a GG sequence the 3' G seems to be more alkylated. This effect is more evident when the GG site was preceded by a 5' pyrimidine. These findings suggest that a regio-selective mechanism, rather than the formation of diazonium ions, accounts for DNA alkylation by SN1 compounds. On the other hand, DMS showed preferential alkylation of the 5' end in a (G)3 run. However, at GG sequences no clear preferred site of alkylation could be distinguished. Lack of specificity of SN2 compound would seem to suggest that other factors as well as the primary DNA structure may play a role in determining the extent of alkylation at a certain site.

Mechanisms of chemical mediated cytotoxicity and chemoprotection in isolated rat hepatocytes

Although N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) and methylmethanesulfonate (MMS) cause injury and malondialdehyde formation in rat hepatocytes, MNNG toxicity is much more sensitive to inhibition by antioxidants. In order to quantify the relationship between toxicity and antioxidation potential, we compared 14 antioxidants that protected against MNNG and MMS toxicity. Chemoprotection was quantified as the concentration that delayed by 1 h the decline in trypan blue exclusion to less than or equal to 50%. While chemoprotection against MNNG and antioxidant efficacy were directly related (R = 0.86), chemoprotection against MMS and antioxidant efficacy were unrelated (R = 0.37). Since we hypothesized that protection against MMS involved stabilization of membranes, the capacity of the 14 compounds to stabilize membranes in an unrelated system (i.e. prevention of erythrocyte osmotic rupture) was assayed. Chemoprotection against both MNNG and MMS correlated with reduced RBC fragility (R = 0.97 and 0.70, respectively). One of the better protecting compounds, 4b,5,9b,10-tetrahydroindeno[1,2-b]indole, was also protective against hepatocellular toxicity mediated by acetaminophen, carbon tetrachloride and tert-butyl hydroperoxide, suggesting a fundamental basis in the mechanism of chemoprotection. We propose that methylating agents and perhaps other chemical toxicants destabilize cellular membranes resulting in hepatocellular injury. For MNNG, radical mediated events may result in membrane destabilization; for MMS, membranes are destabilized without concurrent radical events. The current studies provide a basis for future work to determine structure-activity relationships of chemoprotective agents, examine protection mechanisms, and develop better protective compounds.

Microsomally-mediated denitrosation of nitrosoguanidinium compounds

A major metabolic fate of 1-methyl-2-nitro-1-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) and nitrosocimetidine (NC) in rodents is denitrosation to generate the unmodified, parent guanidinium compound. MNNG is a potent, locally-acting carcinogen. NC is the nitrosated derivative of cimetidine, an important clinical drug administered orally for the treatment of stomach ulcers. Contrary to expectations based on the results of various short-term in vitro tests for carcinogenic potential, NC is not a carcinogen when administered to rats or mice. Rat liver microsomal enzymes have been found to be capable of catalyzing the denitrosation of MNNG, NC and an NC analog, 1,3-dimethyl-2-cyano-1-nitrosoguanidine (CyanoDMNG) in an NADPH-dependent reaction. The denitrosated guanidinium compound generated accounts for 50-70% of the nitroso compound metabolized in a microsomal incubate; nitrite is generated with a yield which represents 40-60% of the guanidinium compound produced. The cytochrome P450 inhibitors metyrapone, n-octylamine, 1-n-hexylimidazole and ellipticine inhibit the conversion of CyanoDMNG to 1,3-dimethyl-2-cyanoguanidine (Cyano-DMG) and nitrite. Microsomal NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activity is not perturbed by this series of organic compound inhibitors. Diethyl maleate at high concentrations weakly stimulates the reaction. The rates of production of the CyanoDMNG degradation products CyanoDMG, nitrite and nitrate are markedly diminished in nitrogen-saturated and in carbon dioxide-saturated microsomal incubates. Preincubating microsomes for 1 h at 37 degrees C prior to substrate and NADPH addition has no effect on the denitrosation activity. Kinetic analysis of the conversion of CyanoDMNG to CyanoDMG indicates a Km of 1.0 mM and a Vmax of 2.7 nmol/min/mg protein. Microsomes isolated from rats pretreated with the cytochrome P450 inducers pyrazole or phenobarbital show enhanced denitrosation activity. The denitrosation capacity of hamster liver microsomes is similar to that observed for rat microsomes.

Rat, mouse and hamster isozyme specificity in the glutathione transferase-mediated denitrosation of nitrosoguanidinium compounds

The major isozymes from affinity column-purified glutathione transferases isolated from Sprague-Dawley rat liver, kidney, and testis cytosol and also from BALB/c mouse and Syrian golden hamster liver cytosol have been resolved by chromatofocusing and tested for their ability to denitrosate and thus detoxicate the DNA-methylating agents and potential carcinogens nitrosocimetidine and 1,3-dimethyl-2-cyano-1-nitrosoguanidine (CyanoDMNG). The isozymes have been kinetically characterized using a battery of substrates permitting, in the rat and mouse cases, subunit composition identification. It has been found that the rat and mouse isozymes belonging to the mu class are uniquely and highly active in the denitrosation of nitrosocimetidine and CyanoDMNG. A specific set of hamster glutathione transferase isozymes were also found to be active in these reactions. We have identified the reaction products produced by the rat liver 3-4 isozyme activity. The glutathione transferase-mediated degradations of 1-methyl-2-nitro-1-nitrosoguanidine and CyanoDMNG generate one molecule of S-nitrosoglutathione per molecule of denitrosated guanidinium compound produced. In the CyanoDMNG incubations essentially all degradation was via denitrosation; nitrite and glutathione disulfide were minor products. In the 1-methyl-2-nitro-1-nitrosoguanidine case nonenzymic degradation of the nitroso compound in the presence of reduced glutathione was evident but little of this decomposition produced S-nitrosoglutathione or 1-methyl-2-nitroguanidine. In the presence of rat transferase 3-4 isozyme, glutathione-dependent 1-methyl-2-nitro-1-nitrosoguanidine degradation was shifted markedly towards denitrosation with the concomitant production of S-nitrosoglutathione.

Non-random alkylation of DNA sequences induced in vivo by chemical mutagens

Previous studies of the interaction of alkylating agents on the eukaryotic genome support the idea that induction of DNA adducts is at specific genomic sites. Here we show molecular and cytological evidence that alkylation is rather specific. Mammalian cell cultures were exposed to different doses of mutagens and the DNA was analyzed by density gradient ultracentrifugation, hydroxylapatite fractionation, and by restriction enzyme analysis. Studies with the labelled mutagens N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea and N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine show that there is a non-random distribution of the adducts. The adducts are found more frequently in A-T, G-C rich satellite DNA and highly repetitive sequences. Analysis with restriction enzymes shows that both methyl and ethyl groups influence the restriction patterns of the enzymes HpaII and MspI that recognize specific endogenous DNA methylation. These data suggest, as a subsequent mechanism, a modification in the pattern of the normal endogenous methylation of 5-methylcytosine.

Hyperthermia-induced modulation of killing and mutation by UV and N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in V79 cells

Hyperthermic exposures of V79 cells did not affect the killing by UV light, whereas it enhanced MNNG-induced killing. Such hyperthermic exposure increased the mutation induction (resistance to 6-thioguanine) by both UV and MNNG. The timing of heat exposure, before or after the treatments, had no effect on the result in cases of cytotoxicity and mutagenesis.

Interaction between N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine and 2 steroid hormones in the glandular stomach of mouse. I. Acceleration of hydrocortisone turnover by use of a salt-rich diet and the carcinogen

The present study has investigated the question of whether or not hydrocortisone as a gene regulator plays a role in the expression of carcinogenic and cocarcinogenic actions of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) and NaCl at the gastric epithelium. The interaction of local hydrocortisone, MNNG and NaCl was studied in vitro and in vivo using Swiss/ICR mice of both sexes. MNNG inhibited specific hydrocortisone binding with the cytoplasmic receptor from the glandular stomach of mouse. The intake of both excess NaCl and MNNG induced an increase in hydrocortisone turnover in the glandular stomach of mouse. Likewise, administration of either excess NaCl or MNNG increased the activity of ornithine decarboxylase in the glandular stomach of mouse. Long-term use of a salt-rich diet and MNNG drink induced an irreversible reduction in water consumption without affecting NaCl consumption, a dissociation of the hydrocortisone effect. The aforementioned MNNG effect on water turnover was more marked in female than in male mice. It is suggested that NaCl and MNNG produce a state of corticosteroid stimulation and androgen depression at the glandular stomach epithelium of mouse--a reproduction of the hormonal markers of gastric cancer.

Interaction between N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine and 2 steroid hormones in the glandular stomach of mouse. II. Retardation of local dihydrotestosterone turnover by use of a rice-rich diet and the carcinogen

We investigated the question of whether or not N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG), a gastrocarcinogen with a structural resemblance to the antiandrogenic gastrosuppressant cimetidine, had a similar antiandrogenic activity in the glandular stomach of mouse. Possible influence of a rice-rich diet on the interaction of androgen with the same tissue was also studied in relation to its gastrosuppressive effect. The results obtained were as follows: 1) excess MNNG non-competitively inhibited the specific binding of 3H-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) with the cytoplasmic receptor of the glandular stomach of mouse; 2) the MNNG intake slowed down local 3H-DHT turnover in the glandular stomach of mouse; 3) evidence was presented to indicate that MNNG action was antiandrogenic in nature; 4) a rice-rich diet, exerting a weight-decreasing influence on the glandular stomach, also slowed down the 3H-DHT turnover in the same tissue. It was indicated that both MNNG and a rice-rich diet produced a state of androgen depression in the glandular stomach of mouse by slowing down the turnover of local androgen and/or competing with local androgen for its receptor in the target tissue. The significance of the results was discussed in relation to the etiology of gastric cancer.

DNA methylation in rat stomach and duodenum following chronic exposure to N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine and the effect of dietary taurocholate

N-Methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) induces a high incidence of carcinomas in the glandular stomach of rats following chronic administration in the drinking water. We determined the level of 7-methylguanine and O6-methylguanine in gastric and duodenal DNA during chronic exposure to MNNG (80 p.p.m.). After considerable fluctuations during the initial 3 weeks, levels of methylpurines reached a steady state which was approximately three times higher in the pylorus (i.e. the preferential site of tumor induction) than in the fundus and duodenum, with 7-methylguanine and O6-methylguanine values in the range of 520 and 110 mumol/mol guanine, respectively. When rats were given MNNG in the drinking water at concentrations ranging from 10 to 80 p.p.m. for 3 weeks, levels of methylpurines reached maximum values already at 10-20 p.p.m. At higher MNNG concentrations, there was no further increase in DNA alkylation. The reason for this lack of dose response remained unclear. Immunohistochemical analyses showed that DNA methylation by MNNG is restricted to epithelial cells bordering the luminal surface. The possibility exists that in this target cell population the content of free thiols is a limiting factor for the decomposition of MNNG and its reaction with macromolecules in the gastric mucosa. Addition to the diet of sodium taurocholate, a bile acid previously shown to enhance MNNG-induced stomach carcinogenesis, did not influence the extent of DNA methylation, indicating that it acts as a promoter.

Modifying role of vitamins on the mutagenic action of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine

Several vitamin compounds have been tested for their ability to suppress the mutagenicity of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine, a direct acting mutagen/carcinogen, in Salmonella typhimurium strain TA100. Menadione, alpha-tocopherol, retinal and retinol have displayed high inhibitory activity. The antimutagenic activity of menadione, in particular, has been found to be remarkable in as much as less than equimolar amount can reduce the mutagenic potency of the carcinogen by 50%. In vitro data suggest that its action is mediated by accelerating the deactivation of the N-nitroso carcinogen, possibly involving the formation of a quinone radical.

Evidence for cytosolic glutathione transferase-mediated denitrosation of nitrosocimetidine and 1-methyl-2-nitro-1-nitrosoguanidine

Nitrosocimetidine (NC) and 1-methyl-2-nitro-1-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) are closely related N-nitrosamidines. NC is the nitrosated derivative of cimetidine (Tagamet), an orally administered compound used extensively in the treatment of gastric ulcers. MNNG is a potent carcinogen capable of initiating tumors close to the site of administration and used experimentally to produce stomach cancer. It has become evident that the primary metabolic fate of both of these agents is denitrosation. We have discovered an activity in the cytosol fraction of hamster liver which is capable of denitrosating these nitrosamidines with an efficiency approaching 100%. The activity is heat sensitive and requires reduced glutathione as a cofactor. Inhibition of the denitrosating activity with compounds which inhibit in parallel the conjugation of glutathione with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) provides evidence that the activity is glutathione transferase. One molecule of reduced glutathione is consumed in each denitrosation event. Nitrite is formed as denitrosation proceeds with a yield equivalent to 25-50% of the denitrosated product produced. Glutathione disulfide is a minor reaction product, representing 3% of the denitrosation product yield in the MNNG case and 12% in the NC case. Thus far in our survey of N-nitrosamines, N-nitrosamides and N-nitrosamidines, only the nitrosamidines appear to be vulnerable to the cytosolic denitrosating activity. In an attempt to evaluate the importance of the glutathione-dependent reaction in the intact hamster, we have depleted glutathione by pretreatment with the commonly used agents diethyl maleate (DEM) and L-buthionine-S,R-sulfoximine (L-BSO). Nitroso compound was administered i.v. and the circulating blood levels of intact and denitrosated compound 5 min after dosing quantified. NC- and MNNG-derived methylation of organ DNA was also monitored. Pretreatment had no effect on the cytosolic denitrosating or CDNB-conjugating activities. L-BSO pretreatment had no apparent effect on the denitrosative metabolism of NC or MNNG. With DEM pretreatment we obtained clear indications of a decreased rate of denitrosation and observed a 10-fold increase in MNNG-derived liver DNA methylation. The differential effects of these pretreatments are taken as an indication that DEM-sensitive processes other than those requiring glutathione dominate N-nitrosamidine denitrosation in the hamster.

Methyl transferases induced during chemical adaptation of M. luteus

Three peaks of methyltransferase activity specific for MNNG alkylated DNA have been identified from extracts of chemically adapted M. luteus. They are designated as TI to TIII in order to their elution from a Sephadex G-75 column. The first one of these peaks has been purified to homogeneity. TI, is an inducible, unusually salt resistant, heat labile protein which corrects O6-methylguanine in alkylated DNA by the transfer of the O6-alkyl group to a cysteine amino acid in the TI protein. There is a stoichiometric relationship between the loss of O6-methylguanine from the DNA and the production of S-methylcysteine. Partially purified TII & TIII proteins show specificity for O4-alkylthymine and methyl phosphotriesters respectively. The mode of repair by the isolated methyltransferases is similar yet there is no competition for substrate specificity. The apparent molecular weights of TI, TII & TIII proteins are 31Kd, 22Kd, and 13Kd respectively.

Multiple species of Bacillus subtilis DNA alkyltransferase involved in the adaptive response to simple alkylating agents

Three molecular species of methyl-accepting proteins exist in Bacillus subtilis cells, which collect methyl groups from methylated DNA. A 20-kilodalton (kDa) protein was constitutively present in the cells of the ada+ (proficient in adaptive response) strain as well as in those of six ada (deficient in adaptive response) mutant strains and was assigned to the O6-methylguanine:DNA methyltransferase. Another species of O6-methylguanine:DNA methyltransferase, which had a molecular size of 22 kDa, emerged after adaptive treatment of the ada+ but not any of the ada mutant cells. A 27-kDa methyl-accepting protein, which preferred methylated poly(dT) to methylated calf thymus DNA as a substrate, was assigned to the methylphosphotriester:DNA methyltransferase. It was produced, after adaptive treatment, in the cells of ada+, ada-3, ada-4, and ada-6 strains but not in the cells of ada-1, ada-2, or ada-5 strains. These results support and extend our proposition that ada mutants can be classified into two groups; one (the ada-4 group) is defective only in the inducible synthesis of O6-methylguanine:DNA methyltransferase (22-kDa protein), and the other (the ada-1 group) is deficient in the adaptive response in toto. The finding that inducible and constitutive methyltransferases reside in different molecular species of methyl-accepting proteins is intriguing compared with the regulatory mechanisms of the adaptive response to simple alkylating agents in other organisms.

[The effect of reflux of bile juice on the development of residual stomach cancer]

An experimental study was performed using an organ culture method to evaluate the effect of a duodenal juice reflux on the development of cancer in the residual stomach. The following results were as follows. An intracellular DNA levels to combine with carcinogenic agents was significantly increased in the mucosa of the residual stomach compared to the parietal mucosa in the whole stomach (control group). In the human gastric mucosa exposed to the bile acid, the intracellular DNA level to combined with carcinogenic agents was increased, and thus the effect of the bile acid as a surfactant on the experimental development of gastric cancer was suggested. An atrophic change was main feature of the residual stomach. Autoradiographic findings revealed that the proliferative zone was extended and a number of immature cells appeared which became to be target cells. Therefore, the residual stomach might provide a situation where the cancer would easily develop.

Patterns of mutagen binding and penetration in multicell spheroids

Mutagen damage to a cell located at some distance from the site of application of the mutagen will depend, in part, on how effectively it can penetrate through cells composing different tissues. Chinese hamster V79 spheroids were used to model mutagen "penetrability" by providing several layers of cells growing with tissue-like packing. By treating cells of intact and trypsin-dissociated spheroids at the same drug-to-cell ratio, an estimate relative sensitivity to nine mutagens was determined. The effective toxicity index (ETI) was defined as the ratio of the concentrations of mutagen required to kill 50% of cells (measured after a 1-hr treatment at 37 degrees C) in dissociated versus intact spheroids and similarly for mutation at the HGPRT locus (EMI). Values for ETI were consistent with values for EMI and varied from 0.01 for 4NQO to 2 for AF-2. Direct information on mutagen penetration was obtained for fluorescent mutagens by flow cytometry. Values for EFI (effective fluorescence index) varied from 0.07 for Hoechst 33342 to 1 for AF-2. These results can be interpreted as reflecting differences in ability of mutagens to penetrate spheroids; some direct-acting mutagens are likely to be effective only near their site of application (ie, UV, Hoechst 33342, 4NQO) while others are able to penetrate through successive cell layers with little difficulty (ie, monobromobimane, AF-2).

Inhibition of the mutagenic activity of some heterocyclic dietary carcinogens and other mutagenic/carcinogenic compounds by rat organ preparations

The mutagenic activity of some dietary mutagens, 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ), 2-amino-6-methyldipyrido[1,2-a:3',2'-d]imidazole (Glu-P-1) and 2-amino-dipyrido[1,2-a:3',2'-d]imidazole (Glu-P-2), was inhibited in the Salmonella-plate test preincubated with heat-inactivated rat intestinal preparations. A similar inhibition was observed by preincubating intestinal preparations with 2-acetylaminofluorene (AAF) and benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P). The effect was not specific for small intestine and was also obtained with spleen, liver, lung, colon and stomach preparations. Mutagenic activity was not inhibited by beef muscle proteins. Lipids extracted from intestinal mucosa preparations were equally effective as inhibitors of the mutagenic activity. Lipid fractions from intestinal mucosa were capable of inhibiting the formation of activated IQ by mammalian S9, and other components of the intestinal preparations were able to bind the promutagens and their active metabolites. The mutagenic activity of 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-methyl-5-nitroimidazole (metronidazole) and of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) was also inhibited by intestinal preparations, but not by their lipid fractions. A binding of IQ to intestinal preparations was also demonstrated with HPLC techniques. The data indicate that tissue components may reduce the mutagenic activity of chemicals by interfering with the activation process and by reducing the concentration of the promutagens and their active metabolites at target sites.

Aristolochic acid induces 6-thioguanine-resistant mutants in an extrahepatic tissue in rats after oral application

The mutagenic activity of the natural plant product aristolochic acid (AA) was tested in the Granuloma Pouch Assay, which detects gene mutations induced in a subcutaneous granuloma tissue of rats. After direct exposure of the target tissue, AA induced high frequencies of mutants at a relatively low cytostatic/cytotoxic level. AA was more potent that N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) at equimolar doses. After oral application of AA, a dose-dependent mutagenic activity was seen. In contrast a very weak and inconsistent mutagenic effect was seen after systemic application of MNNG. These observations suggest that after oral application AA is not detoxified efficiently and can exert its mutagenic activity in extrahepatic tissues whereas MNNG is detoxified to a large extent at the site of administration.

Methylation-induced blocks to in vitro DNA replication

Single-stranded primed M13mp2 templates and double-stranded templates were treated with either dimethyl sulfate (DMS) or N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine and used for DNA synthesis in vitro. Methylation inhibits the ability of the molecules to serve as templates. When either E. coli DNA polymerase I or AMV reverse transcriptase were used as polymerases, DNA synthesis terminated one nucleotide 3' to the site of adenine residues in the template. Heating of the templates resulted in the appearance of additional termination bands one nucleotide before the site of G's in the template. We assume that methylated A's but not methylated G's are blocks to in vitro DNA synthesis and that heating converts a portion of the sites of methylated G to AP sites which are blocks to synthesis.

Biochemical mechanisms on species differences in gastric carcinogenesis

The biochemical denitrosation of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) in tissues from four strains of rat, inbred Buffalo, Lewis, B-N, and the random-bred Sprague-Dawley, with different sensitivities to MNNG-induced gastric carcinomas was investigated as a possible explanation for the species/strain differences in MNNG-induced carcinogenesis. An analytical HPLC method was developed to assay denitrosation of MNNG to N-methyl-N'-nitroguanidine (MNG) by cytosolic, microsomal, mitochondrial, and nuclear cell fractions. All the activity was contained in the microsomal and cytosolic fractions, with the major portion occurring in the cytosol. The activity in both fractions was NADPH-dependent, but denitrosation was not reduced by inhibitors of the cytochrome P-450 system. Denitrosation of MNNG post-mitochondrial supernatant (S9) fractions from liver, glandular stomach mucosa, and duodenal mucosa of the four rat strains was determined. In all strains, denitrosation activities were highest in liver. Comparisons between the three strains most sensitive to MNNG-induced gastric carcinogenesis indicated no large differences for any tissue. However, Buffalo, the most resistant strain, did have a higher level of denitrosating activity in all three tissues, which is consistent with the hypothesis that higher levels of detoxifying enzymes may lead to a decreased incidence of tumors. On the other hand, denitrosation accounts for less than 3% of the MNNG that disappears during the incubation period so that the relevance of denitrosation as a mechanism in strain-specific sensitivity to MNNG-induced gastric carcinoma requires additional studies.

Relationship of methyl purines produced by MNNG in adenovirus 5 DNA to viral inactivation in repair-deficient (Mer-) human tumor cell strains

Adenovirus 5 treated with MNNG (N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine) has greater plaque-forming ability in cell strains having the Mer+ phenotype than in strains having the Mer- phenotype. MNNG-treated Mer- strains repair the N3-methyladenine (N3MeA) but not the O6-methylguanine (O6MeG) produced in their DNA, while MNNG-treated Mer+ strains repair both of these adducts. The fate of N7-methylguanine (another DNA adduct produced by MNNG) is similar in Mer+ and Mer- strains. We show in this paper that 2.3 +/- 0.4 O6MeG and 1.4 N3MeA per adenovirus genome correlate with one lethal hit when the survival assay is done using Mer- strains as viral hosts. We suggest that O6MeG is the lesion lethal to the virus.