Mutagenic Effect during Combined Exposure to Ionizing and Non-Ionizing Electromagnetic Radiation

Using the method of dominant lethal mutations, we assessed the frequency of the death of Drosophila melanogaster embryos under combined exposure to ionizing γ-radiation and non-ionizing pulsed magnetic field at various doses and modes of exposure. Mutagenic effect of combined exposure is antagonistic in nature. The antagonism is more pronounced when the following mode of exposure was used: exposure to non-ionizing pulsed magnetic field for 5 h followed by exposure to γ-radiation at doses of 3, 10, and 60 Gy. In case of reverse sequence of exposures, the antagonistic effect was statistically significant after exposure to γ-radiation at doses of 3 and 10 Gy, whereas at a dose of 20 Gy, a synergistic interaction was noted.

In Vitro Gamma Mutagenesis Techniques in Rice (Oryza sativa L. var. Lazarroz FL)

Gamma radiation (60Co)-induced mutagenesis offers an alternative to develop rice lines by accelerating the spontaneous mutation process and increasing the pool of allelic variants available for breeding. Ionizing radiation works by direct or indirect damage to DNA and subsequent mutations. The technique can take advantage of in vitro protocols to optimize resources and accelerate the development of traits. This is achieved by exposing mutants to a selection agent of interest in controlled conditions and evaluating large numbers of plants in reduced areas. This chapter describes the protocol for establishing gamma radiation dosimetry and in vitro protocols for optimization at the laboratory level using seeds as the starting material, followed by embryogenic cell cultures, somatic embryogenesis, and regeneration. The final product of the protocol is a genetically homogeneous population of Oryza sativa that can be evaluated for breeding against abiotic and biotic stresses.

UVB mutagenesis differs in Nras- and Braf-mutant mouse models of melanoma

BRAF-mutant melanomas are more likely than NRAS-mutant melanomas to arise in anatomical locations protected from chronic sun damage. We hypothesized that this discrepancy in tumor location is a consequence of the differential sensitivity of BRAF and NRAS-mutant melanocytes to ultraviolet light (UV)-mediated carcinogenesis. We tested this hypothesis by comparing the mutagenic consequences of a single neonatal, ultraviolet-AI (UVA; 340-400 nm) or ultraviolet-B (UVB; 280-390 nm) exposure in mouse models heterozygous for mutant Braf or homozygous for mutant Nras Tumor onset was accelerated by UVB, but not UVA, and the resulting melanomas contained recurrent mutations affecting the RING domain of MAP3K1 and Actin-binding domain of Filamin A. Melanomas from UVB-irradiated, Braf-mutant mice averaged twice as many single-nucleotide variants and five times as many dipyrimidine variants than tumors from similarly irradiated Nras-mutant mice. A mutational signature discovered in UVB-accelerated tumors mirrored COSMIC signatures associated with human skin cancer and was more prominent in Braf- than Nras-mutant murine melanomas. These data show that a single UVB exposure yields a greater burden of mutations in murine tumors driven by oncogenic Braf.

Applied mutagenesis could improve economically important traits in bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.)

Mutants with unique characters have played a key role in discovery of gene, mapping, functional genomics and breeding in many vegetable crops, but information on bitter gourd is lacking. Induction of mutation by gamma rays (Co⁶⁰ source) at five different doses (50 Gy, 100 Gy, 150 Gy, 200 Gy and 250 Gy) was studied in four widely divergent bitter gourd genotypes BG-1346501, Meghna-2, Special Boulder and Selection-1 in M₁ generation. Reduction in seed germination percentage, vine length and pollen fertility occurred in M1 generation with the increasing doses of mutagens. LD₅₀ dose for BG-1346501, Meghna-2, Special Boulder and Selection-1 corresponded to 290.76 Gy, 206.12 Gy, 212.81 Gy and 213.49 Gy ᵞ radiation, respectively suggested low to medium doses (200-250 Gy) of gamma rays would be helpful in producing useful and exploitable mutants for further breeding. No remarkable effect of ᵞ radiation on fruit physicochemical characters in M₁ generation were observed. M₂ generation, raised from two widely divergent genotypes, BG-1346501 and Meghna-2, were screened critically and observed no significant reduction in seed germination and pollen viability, however little damage occurred particularly in vine length. There is possibility of isolating segregates in M₂ generation with enhanced nutrient contents at low radiation dose. Highest mutation frequency resulted by treating Meghna-2 at 200 Gy and BG-1346501 at 100 Gy. Both genotype and mutagenic doses influenced mutagenic effectiveness. Spectrum of mutation was very low; number of putative mutants isolated from M₂ generation was five in Meghna-2 and three in BG-1346501. Among six putative macro mutants isolated from M₃ generation, we could identify two putative mutants, namely Meghna-2 with gynoecious sex form and BG-1346501 with high charantin, appreciable β-carotene and high ascorbic acid contents having ample promise for further utilization in bitter gourd breeding after critical testing in subsequent generations for estimation of genetic gain and trait heritability to confirm the mutant stability.

Meiotic susceptibility for induction of sperm with chromosomal aberrations in patients receiving combination chemotherapy for Hodgkin lymphoma

Improvements in survival rates with gonad-sparing protocols for childhood and adolescence cancer have increased the optimism of survivors to become parents after treatment. Findings in rodents indicate that chromosomal aberrations can be induced in male germ cells by genotoxic exposures and transmitted to offspring and future generations with effects on development, fertility and health. Thus, there is a need for effective technologies to identify human sperm carrying chromosomal aberrations to assess the germ-line risks, especially for cancer survivors who have received genotoxic therapies. The time-dependent changes in the burden of sperm carrying structural chromosomal aberrations were assessed for the first time in a cancer setting, using the AM8 sperm FISH protocol which simultaneously detects abnormalities in chromosomal structure and number in sperm. Nine Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) patients provided 20 semen samples before, during, and after NOVP therapy (Novantrone, Oncovin, Velban and Prednisone) and radiation therapy that produced scattered gonadal doses from <0.05 to 0.6 Gy. Late meiosis was found to be the most sensitive to NOVP treatment for the production of sperm with chromosomal abnormalities, both in structure and number. Earlier stages of spermatogenesis were less sensitive and there was no evidence that therapy-exposed stem cells resulted in increased frequencies of sperm with abnormalities in chromosomal structure or number. This indicates that NOVP therapy may increase the risks for paternal transmission of chromosomal structural aberrations for sperm produced 32 to 45 days after a treatment with these drugs and implies that there are no excess risks for pregnancies conceived more than 6 months after this therapy. This clinical evaluation of the AM8 sperm FISH protocol indicates that it is a promising tool for assessing an individual's burden of sperm carrying chromosomal structural aberrations as well as aneuploidies after cancer therapy, with broad applications in other clinical and environmental situations that may pose aneugenic or clastogenic risks to human spermatogenesis.

In vivo functional screening for systems-level integrative cancer genomics

With the genetic portraits of all major human malignancies now available, we next face the challenge of characterizing the function of mutated genes, their downstream targets, interactions and molecular networks. Moreover, poorly understood at the functional level are also non-mutated but dysregulated genomes, epigenomes or transcriptomes. Breakthroughs in manipulative mouse genetics offer new opportunities to probe the interplay of molecules, cells and systemic signals underlying disease pathogenesis in higher organisms. Herein, we review functional screening strategies in mice using genetic perturbation and chemical mutagenesis. We outline the spectrum of genetic tools that exist, such as transposons, CRISPR and RNAi and describe discoveries emerging from their use. Genome-wide or targeted screens are being used to uncover genomic and regulatory landscapes in oncogenesis, metastasis or drug resistance. Versatile screening systems support experimentation in diverse genetic and spatio-temporal settings to integrate molecular, cellular or environmental context-dependencies. We also review the combination of in vivo screening and barcoding strategies to study genetic interactions and quantitative cancer dynamics during tumour evolution. These scalable functional genomics approaches are transforming our ability to interrogate complex biological systems.

Histone H4 LRS mutations can attenuate UV mutagenesis without affecting PCNA ubiquitination or sumoylation

UV is a significant environmental agent that damages DNA. Translesion synthesis (TLS) is a DNA damage tolerance pathway that utilizes specialized DNA polymerases to replicate through the damaged DNA, often leading to mutagenesis. In eukaryotic cells, genomic DNA is organized into chromatin that is composed of nucleosomes. To date, if and/or how TLS is regulated by a specific nucleosome feature has been undocumented. We found that mutations of multiple histone H4 residues mostly or entirely embedded in the nucleosomal LRS (loss of ribosomal DNA-silencing) domain attenuate UV mutagenesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The attenuation is not caused by an alteration of ubiquitination or sumoylation of PCNA (proliferating cell nuclear antigen), the modifications well-known to regulate TLS. Also, the attenuation is not caused by decreased chromatin accessibility, or by alterations of methylation of histone H3 K79, which is at the center of the LRS surface. The attenuation may result from compromised TLS by both DNA polymerases ζ and η, in which Rad6 and Rad5 are but Rad18 is not implicated. We propose that a feature of the LRS is recognized or accessed by the TLS machineries either during/after a nucleosome is disassembled in front of a lesion-stalled replication fork, or during/before a nucleosome is reassembled behind a lesion-stalled replication fork.

The mutagenesis moonshot: The propitious beginnings of the environmental mutagenesis and genomics society

A mutagenesis moonshot addressing the influence of the environment on our genetic wellbeing was launched just 2 months before astronauts landed on the moon. Its impetus included the discovery that X-rays (Muller HJ. [1927]: Science 64:84-87) and chemicals (Auerbach and Robson. [1946]: Nature 157:302) were germ-cell mutagens, the introduction of a growing number of untested chemicals into the environment after World War II, and an increasing awareness of the role of environmental pollution on human health. Due to mounting concern from influential scientists that germ-cell mutagens might be ubiquitous in the environment, Alexander Hollaender and colleagues founded in 1969 the Environmental Mutagen Society (EMS), now the Environmental Mutagenesis and Genomics Society (EMGS); Frits Sobels founded the European EMS in 1970. As Fred de Serres noted, such societies were necessary because protecting populations from environmental mutagens could not be addressed by existing scientific societies, and new multidisciplinary alliances were required to spearhead this movement. The nascent EMS gathered policy makers and scientists from government, industry, and academia who became advocates for laws requiring genetic toxicity testing of pesticides and drugs and helped implement those laws. They created an electronic database of the mutagenesis literature; established a peer-reviewed journal; promoted basic and applied research in DNA repair and mutagenesis; and established training programs that expanded the science worldwide. Despite these successes, one objective remains unfulfilled: identification of human germ-cell mutagens. After 50 years, the voyage continues, and a vibrant EMGS is needed to bring the mission to its intended target of protecting populations from genetic hazards. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 61:8-24, 2020. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

DNA Copy Number Variations as Markers of Mutagenic Impact

DNA copy number variation (CNV) occurs due to deletion or duplication of DNA segments resulting in a different number of copies of a specific DNA-stretch on homologous chromosomes. Implications of CNVs in evolution and development of different diseases have been demonstrated although contribution of environmental factors, such as mutagens, in the origin of CNVs, is poorly understood. In this review, we summarize current knowledge about mutagen-induced CNVs in human, animal and plant cells. Differences in CNV frequencies induced by radiation and chemical mutagens, distribution of CNVs in the genome, as well as adaptive effects in plants, are discussed. Currently available information concerning impact of mutagens in induction of CNVs in germ cells is presented. Moreover, the potential of CNVs as a new endpoint in mutagenicity test-systems is discussed.

Targeted exome sequencing of unselected heavy-ion beam-irradiated populations reveals less-biased mutation characteristics in the rice genome

Heavy-ion beams have been widely utilized as a novel and effective mutagen for mutation breeding in diverse plant species, but the induced mutation spectrum is not fully understood at the genome scale. We describe the development of a multiplexed and cost-efficient whole-exome sequencing procedure in rice, and its application to characterize an unselected population of heavy-ion beam-induced mutations. The bioinformatics pipeline identified single-nucleotide mutations as well as small and large (>63 kb) insertions and deletions, and showed good agreement with the results obtained with conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing analyses. We applied the procedure to analyze the mutation spectrum induced by heavy-ion beams at the population level. In total, 165 individual M₂ lines derived from six irradiation conditions as well as eight pools from non-irradiated 'Nipponbare' controls were sequenced using the newly established target exome sequencing procedure. The characteristics and distribution of carbon-ion beam-induced mutations were analyzed in the absence of bias introduced by visual mutant selections. The average (±SE) number of mutations within the target exon regions was 9.06 ± 0.37 induced by 150 Gy irradiation of dry seeds. The mutation frequency changed in parallel to the irradiation dose when dry seeds were irradiated. The total number of mutations detected by sequencing unselected M₂ lines was correlated with the conventional mutation frequency determined by the occurrence of morphological mutants. Therefore, mutation frequency may be a good indicator for sequencing-based determination of the optimal irradiation condition for induction of mutations.

Recurrent Noncoding Mutations in Skin Cancers: UV Damage Susceptibility or Repair Inhibition as Primary Driver?

Somatic mutations arising in human skin cancers are heterogeneously distributed across the genome, meaning that certain genomic regions (e.g., heterochromatin or transcription factor binding sites) have much higher mutation densities than others. Regional variations in mutation rates are typically not a consequence of selection, as the vast majority of somatic mutations in skin cancers are passenger mutations that do not promote cell growth or transformation. Instead, variations in DNA repair activity, due to chromatin organization and transcription factor binding, have been proposed to be a primary driver of mutational heterogeneity in melanoma. However, as discussed in this review here, recent studies indicate that chromatin organization and transcription factor binding also significantly modulate the rate at which UV lesions form in DNA. The authors propose that local variations in lesion susceptibility may be an important driver of mutational hotspots in melanoma and other skin cancers, particularly at binding sites for ETS transcription factors.

Mutagenic potential of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine (8-oxoG) is influenced by nearby clustered lesions

Ionizing radiation causes various different types of DNA damage. If not repaired, DNA damage can have detrimental effects. Previous studies indicate that the spatial distribution of DNA lesions induced by ionizing radiation is highly relevant to the ensuing biological effects. Clustered DNA damage, consisting of DNA lesions in close proximity, has been studied in detail, and has enhanced mutagenic potential depending on the configuration of the lesions. However, it is not known whether clustered DNA damage affects the mutagenic potential of a sufficiently separated, isolated lesion. Using synthetic damage constructs, we investigated the mutagenic potential of an isolated 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine (8-oxoG) separated by at least 7 bp from other lesions. Under the spatial distribution of DNA lesions tested in the present study, neighboring clustered DNA lesions likely retarded the processing of the isolated 8-oxoG and resulted in enhanced mutation frequency. However, the enhanced mutagenic potential was dependent on which strand the isolated 8-oxoG was located. Our results indicate that the processing of a bi-stranded cluster could affect the mutagenic outcome of a nearby isolated lesion, separated up to ∼20 bp.

Heavy-ion beam mutagenesis of the ectomycorrhizal agaricomycete Tricholoma matsutake that produces the prized mushroom "matsutake" in conifer forests

Tricholoma matsutake is an ectomycorrhizal agaricomycete that produces the prized mushroom "matsutake" in Pinaceae forests. Currently, there are no available cultivars or cultivation methods that produce fruiting bodies. Heavy-ion beams, which induce mutations through double-stranded DNA breaks, have been used widely for plant breeding. In the present study, we examined whether heavy-ion beams could be useful in isolating T. matsutake mutants. An argon-ion beam gave a suitable lethality curve in relation to irradiation doses, accelerating killing at 100-150 Gy. Argon-ion beam irradiation of the agar plate cultures yielded several transient mutants whose colony morphologies differed from that of the wild-type strain at the first screening, but which did not persist following culture transfer. It also generated a mutant whose phenotype remained stable after repeated culture transfers. The stable pleiotropic mutant not only exhibited a different colony morphology to the wild type, but also showed increased degradation of dye-linked water-insoluble amylose and cellulose substrates. Thus, heavy-ion beams may be useful for isolating mutants of T. matsutake, although precautions may be required to maintain the mutants, without phenotypic reversion, during repetitive culture of their mycelia.

Frequent generation of mutants with coincidental changes in multiple traits via ion-beam irradiation in soybean

Ion beams are powerful mutagens that can induce novel mutants in plants. We previously established a system for producing a mutant population of soybean via ion-beam irradiation, isolated plants that had chlorophyll deficiency, and maintained their progeny via self-fertilization. Here we report the characterization of the progeny plants in terms of chlorophyll content, flowering time and isoflavone content in seeds. Chlorophyll deficiency in the leaf tissues was linked with reduced levels of isoflavones, the major flavonoid compounds accumulated in soybean seeds, which suggested the involvement of metabolic changes associated with the chlorophyll deficiency. Intriguingly, flowering time was frequently altered in plants that had a reduced level of chlorophyll in the leaf tissues. Plant lines that flowered either earlier or later than the wild-type plants were detected. The observed coincidental changes were presumed to be attributable to the following origins: structural changes of DNA segments leading to the loss of multiple gene functions, or indirect effects of mutations that affect one of these traits, which were manifested as phenotypic changes in the background of the duplicated composition of the soybean genome.

Beta HPV38 oncoproteins act with a hit-and-run mechanism in ultraviolet radiation-induced skin carcinogenesis in mice

Cutaneous beta human papillomavirus (HPV) types are suspected to be involved, together with ultraviolet (UV) radiation, in the development of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). Studies in in vitro and in vivo experimental models have highlighted the transforming properties of beta HPV E6 and E7 oncoproteins. However, epidemiological findings indicate that beta HPV types may be required only at an initial stage of carcinogenesis, and may become dispensable after full establishment of NMSC. Here, we further investigate the potential role of beta HPVs in NMSC using a Cre-loxP-based transgenic (Tg) mouse model that expresses beta HPV38 E6 and E7 oncogenes in the basal layer of the skin epidermis and is highly susceptible to UV-induced carcinogenesis. Using whole-exome sequencing, we show that, in contrast to WT animals, when exposed to chronic UV irradiation K14 HPV38 E6/E7 Tg mice accumulate a large number of UV-induced DNA mutations, which increase proportionally with the severity of the skin lesions. The mutation pattern detected in the Tg skin lesions closely resembles that detected in human NMSC, with the highest mutation rate in p53 and Notch genes. Using the Cre-lox recombination system, we observed that deletion of the viral oncogenes after development of UV-induced skin lesions did not affect the tumour growth. Together, these findings support the concept that beta HPV types act only at an initial stage of carcinogenesis, by potentiating the deleterious effects of UV radiation.

Many epidemiological and biological findings support the hypothesis that beta HPV types cooperate with UV radiation in the induction of NMSC, the most common form of human cancer. We have previously shown that K14 HPV38 E6/E7 Tg mice, when exposed to long-term UV radiation, developed NMSC, whereas WT animals subjected to identical treatments did not develop any type of skin lesions. Here, we show that the high skin cancer susceptibility of these Tg animals tightly correlates with their tendency to accumulate UV-induced mutations in genes that are frequently mutated in human NMSC. Importantly, deletion of the HPV38 E6 and E7 genes in existing skin lesions did not affect the further growth of the cancer cells. Together, these findings support the model that beta HPV infection is a co-factor in skin carcinogenesis, facilitating the accumulation of the UV-induced DNA mutations.

Pre-breeding of lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) for herbicide resistance through seed mutagenesis

Lentil is a poor competitor of weeds and its sensitivity to herbicides is a major hurdle for large scale production. The present study was conducted to select herbicide resistant lentil genotypes through seed mutagenesis. Seeds of three advanced lentil genotypes (LPP 11001, LPP 11100 and LPP 11116) were treated with two different concentrations of ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS; 0.1 and 0.2%), hydrazine hydrate (HH; 0.02 and 0.03%) and sodium azide (SA; 0.01 and 0.02%) to develop M1 seed. The M2 was screened against two herbicides including Ally Max 28.6% SG (X = 34.58 g/ha and 1.5X = 51.87 g/ha) and Atlantis 3.6% WG (X = 395.2 g/ha and 1.5X = 592.8 g/ha) using the following three screening methods: post plant emergence (PPE), pre-plant incorporation (PPI) and seed priming (SP). Data were recorded on survival index and survival percentage from each experimental unit of every population. Plants in all populations were categorized following their reaction to herbicides. The newly developed populations showed greater variation for herbicide resistance when compared to their progenitors. Phenotypic traits were significantly reduced in all the screening environments. Overall, 671 herbicide resistant mutants were selected from all testing environments. The seeds from selected plants were re-mutagenized at 150 Gy of gamma radiation and evaluated against higher dose of herbicides. This allowed selection of 134 herbicide resistant mutants. The selected mutants are useful germplasm for herbicide resistance breeding of lentil.

[The role of remodeling complexes CHD1 and ISWI in spontaneous and UV-induced mutagenesis control in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae]

Chromatin remodulators are special multiprotein machines capable of transforming the structure, constitution, and positioning of nucleosomes on DNA. Biochemical activities of remodeling complexes CHD1 and ISWI from the SWI2/SNF2 family are well established. They ensure correct positioning of nucleosomes along the genome, which is probably critical for genome stability, in particular, after action of polymerases, repair enzymes, and transcription. In this paper, we show that single mutations in genes ISW1, ISW2, and CHD1 weakly affect repair and mutagenic processes in yeast cells. At the same time, there are differences in the effect of these mutations on spontaneous mutation levels, which indicates certain specificity of action of protein complexes ISW1, ISW2, and CHD1 on expression of different genes that control repair and mutation processes in yeast.

Comparing TiO2 photocatalysis and UV-C radiation for inactivation and mutant formation of Salmonella typhimurium TA102

Salmonellosis is one of the most common causes of foodborne bacterial human disease worldwide, and the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. typhimurium) was associated to the incidence of invasive salmonellosis. The objective of the present work was to investigate the effects of the TiO₂ photocatalysis process in terms of both bacteria inactivation and the emergence of mutants, on S. typhimurium TA102 water suspensions. The TiO₂ photocatalysis was compared with a conventional disinfection process such as UV-C radiation. In spite of the faster bacterial inactivation obtained in UV-C disinfection experiments (45, 15, and 10 min for total inactivation for initial cell density 10⁹, 10⁸, and 10⁷ CFU mL^-1, respectively), photocatalytic disinfection (60, 30, and 15 min) was more energy efficient because of a lower energy requirement (2-20 mWs cm^-2) compared to the UV-C disinfection process (5-30 mWs cm^-2). During the photocatalytic experiments, the mutation frequency increased up to 1648-fold compared to background level for a 10⁸ CFU mL^-1 initial bacterial density, and mutants were inactivated after 1-10-min treatment, depending on initial bacterial cell density. In UV-C disinfection experiments, the mutation frequency increased up to 2181-fold for a 10⁸ CFU mL^-1 initial bacterial cell density, and UV-C doses in the range of 0.5-4.8 mWs cm^-2 were necessary to decrease mutation frequency. In conclusion, both disinfection processes were effective in the inactivation of S. typhimurium cells, and mutants released into the environment can be avoided if cells are effectively inactivated.

Phenotypical and biochemical characterisation of resistance for parasitic weed (Orobanche foetida Poir.) in radiation-mutagenised mutants of chickpea

BACKGROUND

Some radiation-mutagenised chickpea mutants potentially resistant to the broomrape, Orobanche foetida Poir., were selected through field trials. The objectives of this work were to confirm resistance under artificial infestation, in pots and mini-rhizotron systems, and to determine the developmental stages of broomrape affected by resistance and the relevant resistance mechanisms induced by radiation mutagenesis.

RESULTS

Among 30 mutants tested for resistance to O. foetida, five shared strong resistance in both pot experiments and mini-rhizotron systems. Resistance was not complete, but the few individuals that escaped resistance displayed high disorders of shoot development. Results demonstrated a 2-3-fold decrease in stimulatory activity of root exudates towards broomrape seed germination in resistant mutants in comparison with non-irradiated control plants and susceptible mutants. Resistance was associated with an induction of broomrape necrosis early during infection. When infested, most of the resistant mutants shared enhanced levels of soluble phenolic contents, phenylalanine ammonia lyase activity, guaiacol peroxidase activity and polyphenol oxidase activity, in addition to glutathione and notably ascorbate peroxidase gene expression in roots.

CONCLUSION

Results confirmed enhanced resistance in chickpea radiation-mutagenised mutants, and demonstrated that resistance is based on alteration of root exudation, presumed cell-wall reinforcement and change in root oxidative status in response to infection. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Chromosomal mutagenesis in human somatic cells: 30-year cytogenetic monitoring after Chornobyl accident

In the lecture we have generalized and analyzed the data of cytogenetic laboratory of National Research Center for Radiation Medicine of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine on 30-year selective cytogenetic monitoring among the priority contingents of different ages exposed to radiation after Chornobyl accident in Ukraine. It is highlighted that not only targeted but also untargeted radiation-induced cytogenetic effects should be explored, especially in delayed terms following radiation exposure. The new methodical approaches for studying "bystander effect", individual radiosensitivity, and various forms of radiation-induced chromosomal instability (delayed, hidden, transmissible) have been proposed. These approaches proved to be advantageous for analyzing cytogenetic patterns of induction and persistence of chromosomal instability in human somatic cells because of "bystander effect" and "bystander type effect". The phenomenon of positive "reverse" bystander effect has been found. The possibility of modifying the inherited individual human susceptibility to mutagenic exposure by ionizing radiation has been estimated. Finally, the association between hypersensitivity to radiation exposure and realization of oncopathology in exposed individuals has been revealed. The increased intensity of human somatic chromosomal mutagenesis was confirmed not only in the nearest but in the delayed terms following Chornobyl accident as a result of radiation-induced both targeted and untargeted cytogenetic effects. Such effects can be considered as risk factors for malignant transformation of cells, hereditary diseases, birth defects, and multifactorial somatic pathology. This article is a part of a Special Issue entitled "The Chornobyl Nuclear Accident: Thirty Years After".

Optimization of liquid-state fermentation conditions for the glyphosate degradation enzyme production of strain Aspergillus oryzae by ultraviolet mutagenesis

This study aimed to obtain strains with high glyphosate-degrading ability and improve the ability of glyphosate degradation enzyme by the optimization of fermentation conditions. Spore from Aspergillus oryzae A-F02 was subjected to ultraviolet mutagenesis. Single-factor experiment and response surface methodology were used to optimize glyphosate degradation enzyme production from mutant strain by liquid-state fermentation. Four mutant strains were obtained and named as FUJX 001, FUJX 002, FUJX 003, and FUJX 004, in which FUJX 001 gave the highest total enzyme activity. Starch concentration at 0.56%, GP concentration at 1,370 mg/l, initial pH at 6.8, and temperature at 30°C were the optimum conditions for the improved glyphosate degradation endoenzyme production of A. oryzae FUJX 001. Under these conditions, the experimental endoenzyme activity was 784.15 U/100 ml fermentation liquor. The result (784.15 U/100 ml fermentation liquor) was approximately 14-fold higher than that of the original strain. The result highlights the potential of glyphosate degradation enzyme to degrade glyphosate.

Improving Production of Protease from Pseudoalteromonas sp. CSN423 by Random Mutagenesis

Pseudoalteromonas sp. CSN423, a marine strain, can express a major protease designated as E423 and it was secreted into the supernatant. To improve the protease E423 yield, Pseudoalteromonas sp. CSN423 was subjected to mutagenesis using UV irradiation. Mutant strain with 5.1-fold higher protease yield was isolated and named as Pseudoalteromonas sp. CSN423-M. Three protease bands were detected by zymography with casein as substrate, and results of mass spectrometry (MS) showed that two lower molecular weight protein bands were the same protease but with different mature forms. The entire protease operon was sequenced and no mutation was found. Mutant strain-associated changes of expression levels of protease synthesis and secretion-related genes were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Mutant strain had higher expression of e423 than wild-type strain. Such result was consistent with protease activity profiles. Moreover, the mutant strain had higher transcriptional levels of citrate synthase (cs), α-ketoglutarate decarboxylase (kgd), cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (coxI), tolC, hlyD (membrane protein), luxR3, luxO, and luxT (transcriptional regulator). However, hexokinase (hk), pyruvate dehydrogenase E1 (pd-e1), epsD (membrane protein), and luxR1 remained unchanged, and luxR2 decreased sharply in the mutant. These results suggested that the redox pathway was promoted in the mutant strain, and LuxR family transcriptional regulators in Pseudoalteromonas spp. may play some role in regulating protease expression. Meanwhile, the secretion of extracellular protease was closely related to ABC transport system. These results may shed some light on the molecular mechanism underlying higher yield of protease E423 from Pseudoalteromonas sp. CSN423-M.

Oxidative Stress-Induced Protein Damage Inhibits DNA Repair and Determines Mutation Risk and Therapeutic Efficacy

The relationship between sun exposure and nonmelanoma skin cancer risk is well established. Solar UV (wavelength 280-400 nm) is firmly implicated in skin cancer development. Nucleotide excision repair (NER) protects against cancer by removing potentially mutagenic DNA lesions induced by UVB (280-320 nm). How the 20-fold more abundant UVA (320-400 nm) component of solar UV radiation increases skin cancer risk is not understood. Here it is demonstrated that the contribution of UVA to the effect of UV radiation on cultured human cells is largely independent of its ability to damage DNA. Instead, the effects of UVA reflect the induction of oxidative stress that causes extensive protein oxidation. Because NER proteins are among those damaged, UVA irradiation inhibits NER and increases the susceptibility of the cells to mutation by UVB. NER inhibition is a common consequence of oxidative stress. Exposure to chemical oxidants, treatment with drugs that deplete cellular antioxidants, and interventions that interfere with glucose metabolism to disrupt the supply of cellular reducing power all inhibit NER. Tumor cells are often in a condition of oxidative stress and one effect of the NER inhibition that results from stress-induced protein oxidation is an increased sensitivity to the anticancer drug cisplatin.

IMPLICATIONS

As NER is both a defense against cancer and a significant determinant of cell survival after treatment with anticancer drugs, its attenuation by protein damage under conditions of oxidative stress has implications for both cancer risk and for the effectiveness of anticancer therapy. Mol Cancer Res; 14(7); 612-22. ©2016 AACR.

Radioprotective properties of sodium humate in radiation-induced mutagenesis in cultured lymphocytes of thyroid cancer patients

To investigate the effect of sodium humate on the level of cytogenetic damage in culture of lymphocytes of patients with thyroid cancer after γ-irradiation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Metaphase analysis of chromosome aberrations in cultured peripheral blood lymphocytes of 10 individuals with thyroid cancer was performed after irradiation of lymphocytes in vitro at a dose of 1 Gy from (137)Cs source at the early G0 phase of cell cycle. Sodium humate was added to cell culture for 30 ± 15 min after phytohemagglutinin stimulation at concentrations of 10 and 100 μg/ml.

RESULTS

Sodium humate exhibited antimutagenic properties. The preparation at a concentration of 10 μg/ml was more effective than at a concentration of 100 μg/ml, reducing the average incidence of radiation-induced chromosome aberrations by 51.88 and 38.77%, respectively. The most pronounced antimutagenic effect of sodium humate was the reduction of the frequency of chromosomal type aberrations, however, such efficiency varied between individual patients with thyroid cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

Sodium humate could be considered as a potential therapeutic modifier of radiation damage.

[Frequency of Lymphocytes with Mutations at the Locus of T-Cell Receptor in Residents of Radiation Polluted Bryansk Region 28 Years after the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant Accident]

The aim of this study is to assess the level of somatic mutagenesis according to the frequency of lymphocytes bearing mutations at the locus of T-cell receptor (TCR) in the residents of the Bryansk region contaminated with radionuclides as a result of the Chernobyl accident. The study was :conducted in 2014 in two regional centers - Klintsy and Novozybkov (average¹³⁷Cs pollution density of 322 and 708 kBq/m²,.respectively). The average frequency of the TCR-mutant cells in the total group of examined residents of the Bryansk region (n = 237) was not significantly different from that in the group of agematched control persons living in un- contaminated areas (n = 146): 3.8 x 10⁻⁴ vs 3.5 x 10⁻⁴, respectively (p = 0.84). However, after separation of examinees into 3 groups depending on age at the start of irradiation (at.the moment of the Chernobyl acci- dent) it was found that the average frequency of the TCR-mutant cells in the persons exposed in utero was 1.6 higher than that in the control group (p = 0.04). Proportion of persons with an increased frequency of the mutant cells (more than the age norm of this indicator) among prenatally exposed population reached 23.8%; which was about.4 times higher than in the control group (p = 0.04). Proportion of persons with an increased frequency of the TCR-mutant cells in group "0-17 years at the start of irradiation", was about 2 times higher than in controls, but this difference was not statistically significant (8.0% vs 4.3%, respectively, p = 0.33). In the third group "18 or more years old at the start of irradiation" we could not register the difference in the average frequency of theTCR mutant cells or the proportion of persons with an increased frequency of these cells in comparison with the age-matched control group. In general, comparison with earlier data shows that age-related regularities of somatic mutagenesis established 15-18 years after the Chernobyl accident persist at a later date (after 28 years in this study).

Spatial distribution and dynamics of sucrose metabolising enzymes in radiation induced mutants of sugarcane

Sucrose metabolism in various source and sink organs of developing sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) plant is accompanied with continuous synthesis and cleavage. In this regard, the involvement of four major enzymes viz. sucrose synthase (SS), sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS), soluble acid (SAI) and neutral invertases (NI) is considered crucial. In this study, we have analysed in vivo enzymatic activity of 12th month old field grown radiation-induced sugarcane mutants identified for sucrose accumulation. The mutants showed significant differences in the spatial enzymatic regulation in leaves, immature and mature internodes; SPS and SS activities were found highest in high sucrose accumulating mutants (AKTS-02 and AKTS-20) along with lower levels of SAI activity. Overall positive correlation of SPS, SS and negative correlation of SAI, NI activities with sucrose content of the respective tissue types was observed. The SPS activity was found strongly associated with sucrose content in leaves (r(2) = 0.558) and internodes (r(2) = 0.514), whereas, the SAI activity was found significant in leaves (r(2) = 0.379) and weakly associated in internodal tissues (r(2) = 0.248). However, the associations were found to be non-significant for SS and NI activities in both leaves and internodes. Despite this, the differences in the SPS and SAI activities (SPS-SAI) in leaves (r(2) = 0.828) and internodal tissues (r(2) = 0.619) had shown greater influence on net sucrose synthesis and accumulation. To summarize, our results suggest differential sugar metabolism in the induced mutants and that such contrasting mutant germplasm with a relatively uniform genetic makeup can be useful in molecular studies on sucrose accumulation.

Chemical and UV Mutagenesis

The ability to create mutations is an important step towards understanding bacterial physiology and virulence. While targeted approaches are invaluable, the ability to produce genome-wide random mutations can lead to crucial discoveries. Transposon mutagenesis is a useful approach, but many interesting mutations can be missed by these insertions that interrupt coding and noncoding sequences due to the integration of an entire transposon. Chemical mutagenesis and UV-based random mutagenesis are alternate approaches to isolate mutations of interest with the potential of only single nucleotide changes. Once a standard method, difficulty in identifying mutation sites had decreased the popularity of this technique. However, thanks to the recent emergence of economical whole-genome sequencing, this approach to making mutations can once again become a viable option. Therefore, this chapter provides an overview protocol for random mutagenesis using UV light or DNA-damaging chemicals.

Mechanistic modelling of radiation-induced bystander effects

A model of radiation-induced bystander effects is presented that explicitly takes into account the transient nature of bystander signal emission post-irradiation, signal lifetime and the non-linear cellular response to the signals. Data are analysed on mutagenesis induced in human lymphoblasts in medium transfer experiments, in which the signal build-up time, medium dilution and the duration of reporter cells' exposure to the medium were varied. The model implies that the cellular release of bystander signals decreases rather slowly, with a characteristic time of about a day, whereas the signal itself decays with a lifetime of about an hour.

Ultraviolet and 5'fluorodeoxyuridine induced random mutagenesis in Chlorella vulgaris and its impact on fatty acid profile: a new insight on lipid-metabolizing genes and structural characterization of related proteins

The present study was aimed at randomly mutating the microalga, Chlorella vulgaris, in order to alter its cellular behaviour towards increased lipid production for efficient biodiesel production from algal biomass. Individual mutants from ultraviolet light (UV-1 (30 s exposure), UV-2 (60 s exposure) and UV-3 (90 s exposure)) and 5'fluorodeoxyuridine (5'FDU-1 (0.25 mM) and 5'FDU-2 (0.50 mM)) exposed cells were identified to explore an alternative method for lipid enhancement. A marginally significant decrease in biomass in the UV mutants; marked increase in the lipid content in UV-2 and 5'FDU-1 mutants; significant increase in saturated fatty acids level, especially in UV-2 mutant; insignificant increase in lipid production when these mutants were subjected to an additional stress of nitrogen starvation and predominantly enhanced level of unsaturated fatty acids in all the strains except UV-2 were noted. Chloroplast ultrastructural alterations and defective biosynthesis of chloroplast specific lipid constituents were observed in the mutants. Modelling of three-dimensional structures of acetyl coA carboxylase (ACCase), omega-6, plastid delta-12 and microsomal delta-12 fatty acid desaturases for the first time and ligand-interaction studies greatly substantiated our findings. A replacement of leucine by a serine residue in the acetyl coA carboxylase gene of UV-2 mutant suggests the reason behind lipid enhancement in UV-2 mutant. Higher activity of ACCase in UV-2 and 5'FDU-1 strongly proves the functional consequences of gene mutation to lipid production. In conclusion, algal mutants exhibited significant impact on biodiesel production through structural alterations in the lipid-metabolizing genes, thereby enhancing lipid production and saturated fatty acid levels.

[Cytogenetic indices for somatic mutagenesis in mammals exposed to chronic low-dose irradiation]

We used cytogenetic analysis in the studies of the biological effects of a radiation factor of natural and artificial origin (under conditions ofthe 30-km exclusion zone ofthe Chernobyl experimental landfills in Ukraine, Belarus and Russia). The studies have been performed on various types of mammals: domestic animals--cows, pigs, horses and rodents--root voles, the Af mouse line, and yellow necked field mouse, bank voles. We found significant changes in the level of MN and chromosomal aberrations in the animals that were exposed to the conditions of chronic low-dose radiation for a long time (bothin the habitat and upon exposure in the Chernobyl zone) regardless of the type of animal and nature of contamination.

Ultraviolet radiation accelerates BRAF-driven melanomagenesis by targeting TP53

Cutaneous melanoma is epidemiologically linked to ultraviolet radiation (UVR), but the molecular mechanisms by which UVR drives melanomagenesis remain unclear. The most common somatic mutation in melanoma is a V600E substitution in BRAF, which is an early event. To investigate how UVR accelerates oncogenic BRAF-driven melanomagenesis, we used a BRAF(V600E) mouse model. In mice expressing BRAF(V600E) in their melanocytes, a single dose of UVR that mimicked mild sunburn in humans induced clonal expansion of the melanocytes, and repeated doses of UVR increased melanoma burden. Here we show that sunscreen (UVA superior, UVB sun protection factor (SPF) 50) delayed the onset of UVR-driven melanoma, but only provided partial protection. The UVR-exposed tumours showed increased numbers of single nucleotide variants and we observed mutations (H39Y, S124F, R245C, R270C, C272G) in the Trp53 tumour suppressor in approximately 40% of cases. TP53 is an accepted UVR target in human non-melanoma skin cancer, but is not thought to have a major role in melanoma. However, we show that, in mice, mutant Trp53 accelerated BRAF(V600E)-driven melanomagenesis, and that TP53 mutations are linked to evidence of UVR-induced DNA damage in human melanoma. Thus, we provide mechanistic insight into epidemiological data linking UVR to acquired naevi in humans. Furthermore, we identify TP53/Trp53 as a UVR-target gene that cooperates with BRAF(V600E) to induce melanoma, providing molecular insight into how UVR accelerates melanomagenesis. Our study validates public health campaigns that promote sunscreen protection for individuals at risk of melanoma.

[Mechanisms of targeted frameshift mutations--insertion formation under error-prone or SOS synthesis of DNA containing CIS-SYN cyncyclobutane thymine dimers]

Up to now the mechanism of formation of frameshift mutations caused by cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers has not been yet explained satisfactorily. Mechanisms of different mutations are usually considered in polymerase model. Here, the alternative polymerase-tautomer model of ultraviolet mutagenesis is developed. The mechanism of targeted insertion formation caused by cis-syn cyclobutane thymine dimers is proposed. Insertions are mutations when one or several DNA bases are inserted.Targeted insertions are mutations of a frameshift type--when one or severalnucleotides are inserted opposite damageswhich may stop synthesis of DNA. Targeted insertions are induced bycyclobutane pyrimidine dimmers. Ultraviolet irradiation may result in a change of tautomer state of DNA bases. A thymine base may form 5 rare tautomer forms that are stable if the base is a part of cyclobutane dimer. As it was shown by structural analysis, one rare tautomeric form of thymine forms hydrogen bonds with no one canonical DNA base. Therefore, under SOS or error-prone synthesis of DNA containing cis-syn cyclobutane thymine dimers with such rare tautomeric_form a specialize or modified DNA polymerase leaves a single nucleotide gap opposite the cis-syn cyclobutane thymine dimer. According to Streisinger model, if the DNA composition within this region is homogeneous, the end of the growing DNA strand can slip and form complementary pairs with a template nucleotide neighboring to the dimer of such type a loop is formed. Further elongation of the daughter strand leads to the appearance of targeted insertion in the daughter strand. Here, it is first shown that cis-syn cyclobutane thymine dimers with one or both bases in the specific tautomer conformation--opposite which it is impossible to insert a canonical base with a hydrogen bond formation--results in targeted insertions. Moreover, the model of forming targeted single--and several-base insertions is developed. The polymerase-tautomer model of ultraviolet mutagenesis can explain a nature and mechanism of appearing not only hot and cold spots, targeted and untargeted base substitution mutations but also targeted frameshift mutations.

Altered mitochondrial function and energy metabolism is associated with a radioresistant phenotype in oesophageal adenocarcinoma

Neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy (CRT) is increasingly the standard of care for locally advanced oesophageal cancer. A complete pathological response to CRT is associated with a favourable outcome. Radiation therapy is important for local tumour control, however, radioresistance remains a substantial clinical problem. We hypothesise that alterations in mitochondrial function and energy metabolism are involved in the radioresistance of oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC). To investigate this, we used an established isogenic cell line model of radioresistant OAC. Radioresistant cells (OE33 R) demonstrated significantly increased levels of random mitochondrial mutations, which were coupled with alterations in mitochondrial function, size, morphology and gene expression, supporting a role for mitochondrial dysfunction in the radioresistance of this model. OE33 R cells also demonstrated altered bioenergetics, demonstrating significantly increased intracellular ATP levels, which was attributed to enhanced mitochondrial respiration. Radioresistant cells also demonstrated metabolic plasticity, efficiently switching between the glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation energy metabolism pathways, which were accompanied by enhanced clonogenic survival. This data was supported in vivo, in pre-treatment OAC tumour tissue. Tumour ATP5B expression, a marker of oxidative phosphorylation, was significantly increased in patients who subsequently had a poor pathological response to neoadjuvant CRT. This suggests for the first time, a role for specific mitochondrial alterations and metabolic remodelling in the radioresistance of OAC.

RETRACTED: PKA-mediated phosphorylation of ATR promotes recruitment of XPA to UV-induced DNA damage

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (https://www.elsevier.com/about/our-business/policies/article-withdrawal). This article has been retracted at the request of the authors. An investigation by the University of Kentucky (UK) recently determined that it contains fabricated and/or falsified data committed by the lead author on the paper. The results of the investigation can be viewed at https://ori.hhs.gov/content/case-summary-jarrett-stuart-g. UK identified that there were duplications and flips of panels in three figures (Figures 7D, 7E, and S3C), and original data could not be retrieved. In Figures 7D and 7E, there are inappropriate loading controls: reuse and relabeling between Figure 7D (no UV) and Figure 7E (+ UV). In Figure S3C, the loading controls for 6-4 PP (second row down) are the same as those for XPA (fourth row down), but are flipped. In both cases, the authors could not recover the original data, since primary data were stored only on a computer associated with a Storm PhosphorImager and were lost when that computer crashed. Thus, this is considered data fabrication, and the authors are retracting the paper. The authors apologize to the scientific community for any inconveniences or challenges resulting from the publication and retraction of this manuscript. Authors Stuart Jarrett and Jillian Vanover could not be reached. The remaining authors agree to the retraction.

[Control levels of Sin3 histone deacetylase for spontaneous and UV-induced mutagenesis in yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae]

SIN3 gene product operates as a repressor for a huge amount of genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Sin3 protein with a mass of about 175 kDa is a member of the RPD3 protein complex with an assessed mass of greater than 2 million Da. It was previously shownthat RPD3 gene mutations influence recombination and repair processes in S. cerevisiae yeasts. We studied the impacts of the sin3 mutation on UV-light sensitivity and UV-induced mutagenesis in budding yeast cells. The deletion ofthe SIN3 gene causes weak UV-sensitivity of mutant budding cells as compared to the wild-type strain. These results show that the sin3 mutation decreases both spontaneous and UV-induced levels of levels. This fact is hypothetically related to themalfunction of ribonucleotide reductase activity regulation, which leads to a decrease in the dNTP pool and the inaccurate error-prone damage bypass postreplication repair pathway, which in turn provokes a reduction in the incidence of mutations.

Phenotypic spectrum of Parachlorella kessleri (Chlorophyta) mutants produced by heavy-ion irradiation

Heavy-ion mutagenesis is a technology used for effective production of genetic mutants. This study demonstrates that algal breeding using a unicellular alga, Parachlorella kessleri, by heavy-ion mutagenesis can improve lipid yield in laboratory experiments. The primary screening yielded 23 mutants among which a secondary screening yielded 7 strains, which were subjected to phenotypic assays. P. kessleri strains produced by heavy-ion radiation spanned a broad spectrum of phenotypes that differed in lipid content and fatty acid profiles. Starch grain morphology was distinctively altered in one of the mutants. The growth of strain PK4 was comparable to that of the wild type under stress-free culture conditions, and the mutant also produced large quantities of lipids, a combination of traits that may be of commercial interest. Thus, heavy-ion irradiation is an effective mutagenic agent for microalgae and may have potential in the production of strains with gain-of-function phenotypes.

Mutation and mutation screening

Molecular techniques have created the opportunity for great advances in plant mutation genetics and the science of mutation breeding. The powerful targeted induced local lesions in genomes (TILLING) technique has introduced the possibility of reverse genetics-the ability to screen for mutations at the DNA level prior to assessing phenotype. Fundamental to TILLING is the induction of mutant populations (or alternatively, the identification of mutants in the environment); and mutation induction requires an understanding and assessment of the appropriate mutagen dose required. The techniques of mutation induction, dose optimization, and TILLING are explained.

Phenotypic and genetic consequences of protein damage

Although the genome contains all the information necessary for maintenance and perpetuation of life, it is the proteome that repairs, duplicates and expresses the genome and actually performs most cellular functions. Here we reveal strong phenotypes of physiological oxidative proteome damage at the functional and genomic levels. Genome-wide mutations rates and biosynthetic capacity were monitored in real time, in single Escherichia coli cells with identical levels of reactive oxygen species and oxidative DNA damage, but with different levels of irreversible oxidative proteome damage (carbonylation). Increased protein carbonylation correlates with a mutator phenotype, whereas reducing it below wild type level produces an anti-mutator phenotype identifying proteome damage as the leading cause of spontaneous mutations. Proteome oxidation elevates also UV-light induced mutagenesis and impairs cellular biosynthesis. In conclusion, protein damage reduces the efficacy and precision of vital cellular processes resulting in high mutation rates and functional degeneracy akin to cellular aging.

Cellular life is maintained by the activities of proteins that, together, prevent molecular damage from occurring in the first place and repair damaged DNA, proteins and other damaged cellular components. Cellular fitness decreases due to the fact that these proteins are themselves subject to damage, leading to the progressive degeneracy of cellular functions due to diminishing protein activity and decreased precision. The ultimate liability to protein function is the irreversible oxidative protein modification, protein carbonylation. In our study, we have altered the intrinsic susceptibility of proteins to oxidative damage via alterations of translation fidelity and the accuracy of protein folding. We have found that the increased quality of proteome leads to an improved biosynthetic capacity of cells, as well as to decreased mutation rates. Since cellular aging can be defined as a progressive loss of nearly all vital cellular functions and an increase in mutation rates, this work suggests that oxidative proteome damage may be the most likely cause of aging and age-related diseases.

Strain improvement of Trametes hirsuta by physical and chemical mutagenesis for better laccases production

The Laccases production efficiency was investigated by the wild fungal strains Trametes hirsuta by treating it with physical mutagen [ultraviolet radiation (UV) and X-rays] and chemical mutagens [Ethidium bromide, Colchicine and Hydrogen peroxide]. The present work aimed to apply mutagenesis for enhancement of the enzyme production. Effective changes were observed in the efficiency of enzyme production when treated with physical and chemical mutagens. The effect of X-rays showed a decrease in production with increasing exposure in T. hirsuta (Max. at 2 sec.). UV irradiation influenced the enzyme production with higher exposure time (8 minutes) but the maximum dosage led to inhibition in fungal growth and low enzyme production. Among the three chemical mutagens used, hydrogen peroxide was found to be having lethal effects to the fungi but a minimum concentration (2 μg/mL) was positively effecting enzyme production. Colchicine showed increase in enzyme production with increasing concentrations (Max. at 9 μg) and with Ethidium bromide, maximum enzyme production was observed at concentration of 7 μg/ mL. The study on morphological differences in wild and mutant shows that there was an improvement in strains of the white rot fungi.

In vitro mutagenesis and identification of mutants via ISSR in lily (Lilium longiflorum)

An efficient in vitro mutagenesis protocol for Lilium longiflorum Thunb. cv. White fox has been established. The effect of 6-BA and NAA on adventitious bud formation from the bulblet-scale thin cell layers was tested. Results showed that the optimal medium for adventitious bud induction is MS basal medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/l 6-BA and 0.1 mg/l NAA. The differentiation frequency and the average number of adventitious buds reached 95.55% and 3.00, respectively. Various doses (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 Gy) of gamma rays were applied to investigate the effect of radiation on adventitious bud formation from bulblet-scale thin cell layers. The forming capacity of the adventitious buds significantly decreased with the increase of radiation dose. The results suggested that the optimal irradiation dose is 1.0 Gy. Dose of 1.0 Gy treatment resulted in 55.33% survival of irradiated bulblet-scale thin cell layers and 39.27% mutagenesis rate. The genetic variations among the morphological mutants were evaluated by DNA fingerprinting using ISSR molecular marker. The genetic variation frequency reached 36.06% using seven ISSR primers. Out of the 50 mutant lines transferred to the greenhouse, 9 were observed to have significantly different morphological characters than those of the controls.

[Improving degradation ability of an aerobic denitrifer by ultraviolet mutagenesis]

An aerobic denitrifier (YS) isolated from swage was mutagenized by UV-irradiation and a high-nitrogen-removal mutant (TB) was obtained. Differences between these two strains in physical and chemical properties and denitrification capacity were studied. The results showed that the denitrification capacity of mutant strains TB was improved. Under the same conditions, the nitrate removal capacity of TB increased from 87% to 93%, and the nitrite concentrations in medium from 212.48 mg x L(-1) reduced to 37.62 mg x L(-1), the removal of nitrite increased rapidly from 15% to 85%, indicating that the strain of TB on the nitrite removal capacity was greatly improved. There was little change in the capacity of the nitrate and nitrite removal after passage, so the genetic stability of TB was better. The effects of different factors on denitrification were investigated and the results were that the optimal culture condition of original strain YS were 1.5% inoculum concentration, pH 6, C/N ratio = 10, and carbon source was glucose; the optimal culture condition of mutant strain TB were 1.5% inoculum concentration, pH 9, C/N ratio = 10, and carbon source was sodium succinate.

[Interaction of gene HSM3 with genes of the epistatic RAD6 group in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae]

In eukaryotes, damage tolerance of matrix DNA is mainly determined by the repair pathway under the control of the RAD6 epistatic group of genes. T this pathway is also a main source of mutations generated by mutagenic factors. The results of our recent studies show that gene HSM3 participating in the control of adaptive mutagenesis increases the frequency of mutations induced by different mutagens. Mutations rad18, rev3, and mms2 controlling various stages of the RAD6 pathway are epistatic with mutation hsm3 that decreases UV-induced mutagenesis to the level typical for single radiation-sensitive mutants. The level of mutagenesis in the double mutant srs2 hsm3 was lower than in both single mutants. Note that a decrease in the level of mutagenesis relative to the single mutant srs2 depends on the mismatch repair, since this level in the triple mutant srs2 hsm3 pms 1 corresponds to that in the single mutant srs2. These data show that the mutator phenotype hsm3 is probably determined by processes occurring in a D loop. In a number of current works, the protein Hsm3 was shown to participate in the assembly of the proteasome complex S26. The assembly of proteasomes is governed by the N-terminal domain. Our results demonstrated that the Hsm3 protein contains at least two domains; the N-terminal part of the domain is responsible for the proteasome assembly, whereas the C-terminal portion of the protein is responsible for mutagenesis.

Production of (R)-3-hydroxybutyric acid by fermentation and bioconversion processes with Azohydromonas lata

Feasibility of producing (R)-3-hydroxybutyric acid ((R)-3-HB) using wild type Azohydromonas lata and its mutants (derived by UV mutation) was investigated. A. lata mutant (M5) produced 780 m g/l in the culture broth when sucrose was used as the carbon source. M5 was further studied in terms of its specificity with various bioconversion substrates for production of (R)-3-HB. (R)-3-HB concentration produced in the culture broth by M5 mutant was 2.7-fold higher than that of the wild type strain when sucrose (3% w/v) and (R,S)-1,3-butanediol (3% v/v) were used as carbon source and bioconversion substrate, respectively. Bioconversion of resting cells (M5) with glucose (1% v/w), ethylacetoacetate (2% v/v), and (R,S)-1,3-butanediol (3% v/v), resulted in (R)-3-HB concentrations of 6.5 g/l, 7.3g/l and 8.7 g/l, respectively.

Role of AtPolζ, AtRev1 and AtPolη in γ ray-induced mutagenesis

Although ionizing radiation has been employed as a mutagenic agent in plants, the molecular mechanism(s) of the mutagenesis is poorly understood. AtPolζ, AtRev1 and AtPolη are Arabidopsis translesion synthesis (TLS)-type polymerases involved in UV-induced mutagenesis. To investigate the role of TLS-type DNA polymerases in radiation-induced mutagenesis, we analyzed the mutation frequency in AtPolζ-, AtRev1- or AtPolη-knockout plants rev3-1, rev1-1 and polh-1, respectively. The change in mutation frequency in rev3-1 was negligible, whereas that in rev1-1 decreased markedly and that in polh-1 increased slightly compared to wild-type. Abasic (apurinic/apyrimidinic; AP) sites, induced by radiation or generated during DNA repair processes, can pair with any kind of nucleotide on the opposite strand. 7,8-dihydro-8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxo-dG), induced by radiation following formation of reactive oxygen species, can pair with cytosine or adenine. Therefore, AtRev1 possibly inserts dC opposite an AP site or 8-oxo-dG, which results in G to T transversions.

Radiation induced cancer arises from a somatic mutation

Experimental data from the literature are presented to create a chain which links radiation induced cancer in animals to cell reproductive death and then to chromosomal aberrations and somatic mutations. The cancer data reveal the same peak value of cancer induction following different radiation exposures which leads to an association between cancer induction and cell killing. Other data show a direct correlation between cell survival and chromosomal aberration yield independent of whether a sensitiser is used or not. Data on the induction of somatic mutations in mammalian cultured cells show the same direct relationship between mutation frequency and cell killing following neutron and gamma ray exposures. Taken as a whole, the experimental data provide convincing evidence that radiation induced cancer arises from chromosomal damage.

Reversion-reporter transgenes to analyze all six base-substitution pathways in Arabidopsis

To expand the repertoire of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) mutation-reporter transgenes, we constructed six mutant alleles in the same codon of the β-glucuronidase-encoding GUS transgene. Each allele reverts to GUS+ only via a particular one of the six transition/transversion pathways. AcV5 epitope tags, fused carboxyl terminal to the inactive GUS- proteins, enabled semiquantitative immunoassays in plant protein extracts. Spontaneous G:C→T:A transversions, previously not measured using reporter transgenes, were quite frequent. This may reflect mispairing of adenine with 8-oxoguanine in DNA attacked by endogenous oxyradicals. Spontaneous G:C→A:T was modest and other reversions were relatively low, as reported previously. Frequencies of ultraviolet C-induced TT→TC and TC→TT reversions were both high. With increased transgene copy number, spontaneous G:C→T:A reversions increased but ultraviolet C-induced reversions decreased. Frequencies of some reversion events were reduced among T4 versus T3 generation plants. Based on these and other analyses of sources of experimental variation, we propose guidelines for the employment of these lines to study genotoxic stress in planta.