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C Pueyo

Publications and source records attributed to C Pueyo.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Mutagenesis in Escherichia coli lacking catalase.

Escherichia coli K-12 strains completely lacking catalase activity due to mutations in katG, katE, and katF genes were constructed in order to assess the role of hydrogen peroxide in mutagenesis. Mutagenesis was monitored by selecting forward mutations to L-arabinose resistance. Lethality was measured at experimental conditions equivalent to those of the mutant yield by using a mixed culture of pairs of isogenic strains distinguished by their differential nutritional requirements. Deficiency in katG, katE, and katF genes leads to an enhanced spontaneous mutation rate as well as an enhanced sensitivity to both the lethal and mutagenic effects of hydrogen peroxide or an H2O2-generating mixture of compounds, such as coffee. To compare further the responses of the catalase-deficient bacteria to those of catalase-proficient counterparts, other genotoxins were analyzed. Both catalase-deficient and catalase-proficient strains were equally mutated by MMS, 4-NQO, and ultraviolet light. It is concluded that the bacterial strains and the mutagenicity tests described in the paper represent a useful tool to study the role of H2O2 in mutagenesis.

Catalase↗

Influence of S9 mix on the expression of mutants in the L-arabinose resistance test of Salmonella typhimurium.

S9 mix produces an effect similar to that of D-glucose in the L-arabinose resistance test of Salmonella typhimurium, releasing the growth inhibition exerted by L-arabinose. Two elements are responsible for this effect: the glucose-6-phosphate present in the cofactors of the S9 mix and the S9 fraction itself. UV light was used as a mutagen to compare the efficiency of S9 mix and D-glucose in allowing phenotypic expression of mutants in selective plates with L-arabinose; 0.5 ml of S9 mix per plate showed and efficacy similar to that of 0.5 mg of D-glucose per plate. To verify that the S9 mix is equivalent to D-glucose traces in selective plates with respect to the number of induced mutants in compounds requiring metabolic activation, we utilized 2 direct-acting nitrofurans. Our conclusion is that activation of agents could be erroneously attributed to the S9 mix, when plates with 0.5 mg of D-glucose are compared to plates with 0.5 ml of S9 mix plus 0.5 mg of D-glucose. Our results suggest that D-glucose traces be omitted in experiments requiring the presence of the S9 mixture.

Animals↗

Quantitative relationship between mutagenic potency in the Ara test of Salmonella typhimurium and carcinogenic potency in rodents. A study of 11 direct-acting monofunctional alkylating agents.

This work attempted to derive a quantitative relationship between mutagenicity and carcinogenicity by examining the association between mutagenic potency in the Ara test of Salmonella typhimurium and carcinogenic potency in rodents. Mutagenesis was monitored by selecting forward mutations to L-arabinose resistance. Lethality was measured at equivalent experimental conditions to those of mutant yield by using a mixed population of a pair of isogenic strains distinguished by their differential nutritional requirements. The study was carried out with a group of 11 direct-acting monofunctional alkylating agents, which failed to show any quantitative correlation in the histidine reverse-mutation test. Our data suggest that the mutagenic efficiency of the compounds is directly proportional to the magnitude of the maximum yield of L-arabinose resistance mutants and inversely proportional to the dose and the number of lethal hits at which the maximum yield occurs. A highly significant correlation (r10 = 0.86, P less than 0.01) was found between the mutagenic efficiencies of the compounds in the Ara test and their carcinogenic potencies in rodents, expressed as TD50 ('tumor dose' 50) values. The result suggests that the Ara forward-mutation test of S. typhimurium might be capable of reflecting the relative potency of animal carcinogens, at least when confined to particular chemical classes. A more generic and definitive conclusion about the predictive value of the Ara test would require this analysis to be extended to other types of genotoxic carcinogens.

Alkylating Agents↗

Simple method for precise determination of chemical lethality in the L-arabinose resistance test of Salmonella typhimurium.

A simple method is described for the determination of the lethal effects of chemicals assayed with the L-arabinose resistance test of Salmonella typhimurium. The method uses a mixed culture of 2 isogenic bacterial strains which are distinguished on the basis of their different nutritional requirements: sensitivity or resistance to L-arabinose, auxotrophy or prototrophy to histidine and leucine. BA13 (the mutation indicator strain) is the strain for routine screening of mutagens and allows the selection of forward mutation from L-arabinose sensitivity to L-arabinose resistance. BAL13 (the survival indicator strain) is a derivative of BA13. Both bacterial strains are found to be equally sensitive to the lethal effects of mutagens. The method described permits the measurement of cell survival at the same high cell concentration as used in the measurement of the mutant yield and in the same type of minimal medium with L-arabinose and glycerol, except for the histidine supplement in the mutant plates or the leucine in the survival plates.

2-Naphthylamine↗

L-arabinose resistance test with Salmonella typhimurium as a primary tool for carcinogen screening.

The L-arabinose resistance test with Salmonella typhimurium (Ara test) is a forward mutation assay which selects a single phenotypic change (from L-arabinose sensitivity to L-arabinose resistance) in a unique tester strain (an araD mutant). The present study examined the ability of the Ara test to identify as mutagens different classes of chemical carcinogens, including six with detection problems in most bacterial assays. A noncarcinogen related in chemical structure to the selected carcinogen was included whenever possible. A total of 25 organic compounds was assayed by means of a standard mutagenesis procedure: the plate-incorporation test in the presence (if required) of 10% S9 from rat liver induced with Aroclor 1254. Chemicals giving negative or inconclusive results were then retested using other common in vitro mutagenesis conditions. The Ara test detected as mutagens all but one (Urethane) of the 15 established carcinogens and six out of the nine chemicals with questionable or nonassayed carcinogenicity. The compound mutagenic at the lowest dose was ethionine (0.57 nmol), one of the carcinogens undetected by the popular histidine reverse mutation assay (Ames test) or by the SOS chromotest. Actually, only benzo(a)pyrene was found mutagenic at a dose (0.77 nmol) close to that of ethionine. The data reported in this paper suggest that the Ara forward mutation test is less prone than the His reverse mutation test or the SOS chromotest to misclassify as negative carcinogenic compounds. Consequently, it should be considered as an alternative to other bacterial assays in general, massive, and primary screening for genotoxic carcinogens.

Arabinose↗

Study of the causes of direct-acting mutagenicity in coffee and tea using the Ara test in Salmonella typhimurium.

The mutagenic activities of 6 of the chemicals identified in coffee solutions were assayed with the Salmonella Ara test, under experimental conditions optimized for coffee mutagenicity. Caffeine was the only non-mutagenic compound. Among the other 5 chemicals, hydrogen peroxide was the strongest mutagen and chlorogenic acid the weakest; methylglyoxal, glyoxal and caffeic acid exhibited intermediate mutagenicities. The minimal mutagenic doses of these components correlated negatively with their relative concentrations in coffee. It was concluded that chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, glyoxal and methylglyoxal cannot contribute alone to the mutagenicity of coffee in the Ara test, since their minimal mutagenic concentrations were much higher than their respective levels in the coffee samples assayed. By contrast, 40-60% of the mutagenic activity in coffee and also in tea could be attributed to their H2O2 contents. Catalase abolished more than 95% of the mutagenic activity of coffee, as detected by the Ara test. A similar sensitivity to catalase has been reported by other authors in relation to the coffee mutagenicity identified by the Salmonella His test. Nevertheless, the results presented in this paper suggest that the Ara forward and the His reverse mutation tests are sensitive to the mutagenicity of different constituents in coffee solutions. We propose that the His test, sensitive at high coffee doses, mainly recognizes the mutagenicity of methylglyoxal, whilst the Ara test, sensitive at low coffee doses, mainly detects the mutagenic activity of hydrogen peroxide. The data reported also suggest that the direct-acting mutagenicity(ies) detected by the Ara test in tea solutions is (are) based on similar, if not identical, mechanisms.

Caffeic Acids↗

Response of the L-arabinose forward mutation assay of Salmonella typhimurium to frameshift-type mutagens.

The present study was designed to evaluate the capacity of the L-arabinose resistance test of Salmonella typhimurium in the detection of frameshift-type mutagens. To this end the response of the Ara test was examined with respect to 15 chemicals which had been previously described as able to revert the Ames tester strain TA97. The mutagenicity of each compound was determined by the liquid test under experimental conditions which optimize the mutagenic response of the Ara test with the tester strain BA9. Strain TA97 was used simultaneously with BA9. The Ara forward-mutation assay efficiently detected the mutagenic activity of 14 out of the 15 chemicals assayed. PR toxin was the only compound which gave a weak dose response without doubling the spontaneous mutant level. In comparison with the Ara test, a total of 3 chemicals (HZ, PE and PR toxin) were not found to be mutagenic with strain TA97. In most cases (11/15) the mutagenic response of the Ara test was comparatively greater than that of strain TA97. Three chemicals (DEO, PRF and 9-AA) were detected with quite similar degrees of sensitivity by both mutation assays. ICR-191, which seems highly specific in reverting frameshift mutations with added cytosines in a run of cytosines, was the only chemical with a lower mutagenic activity in the Ara test than in strain TA97. The results enhance the interest of the L-arabinose forward-mutation assay as an alternative to the set of specific tester strains used by the histidine reverse-mutation assay in massive, general and primary screening for genotoxic agents.

Arabinose↗

Study on the mutagenicity of nifurtimox and eight derivatives with the L-arabinose resistance test of Salmonella typhimurium.

The mutagenicity of nifurtimox (nfx) and 8 nfx analogues has been investigated with the L-arabinose forward-mutation assay of Salmonella typhimurium. The nfx analogues tested were obtained by replacing the 3-methyl-4-yl-tetrahydro-1,4-thiazine-1,1-dioxide group of the parent compound with the following other groups: indazol-1-yl (1); pyrazol-1-yl (2); benzimidazol-1-yl (3); 1,2,4-triazol-4-yl (4); 1-methyl-3-methylthio-1,2,4-triazol-4-yl-5-thione (5); 3,5-bis(methylthio)-1,2,4-triazol-4-yl (6); 1-adamantyl (7); 4,6-diphenylpyridin-1-yl-2-one (8). The mutagenic activity of each chemical was determined by the standard plate-incorporation test, in the presence or absence of the S9 activation mixture. The 9 compounds were mutagenic and exhibited linear dose-mutagenic response relationships. They were direct-acting mutagens and showed a nearly 1000-fold range in mutagenic potency from chemical 1 to nfx. In most cases, the addition of S9 mixture to the test plates decreased the mutagenicity of compounds. This effect was particularly noticeable in the case of chemicals 1-3, 5 and 7 where a more than 70% decrease in mutagenic activity was observed in the presence of the S9 mixture. The mutagenic potency of compounds in the Ara test showed a negative linear correlation with previously reported antitrypanosomal activity. Thus, chemicals 6 and 8 with in vitro activities against Trypanosoma cruzi clearly superior to that of nfx showed 2 of the lowest mutagenic potencies in the Ara test and these were only somewhat higher than the mutagenicity of the reference drug.

Animals↗

Mutagenicity of red wine in the L-arabinose resistance test with Salmonella typhimurium.

The forward mutation assay to L-arabinose resistance (Ara test) in Salmonella typhimurium detected a Spanish red table wine (Rioja) as a direct-acting mutagen. The best mutagenic response was obtained by preincubating strain BA13 with the wine sample in the presence of sodium phosphate buffer and in the absence of any external metabolic activation. In fact, the S9 mixture abolished most of the mutagenic activity of red wine in the Ara test. Such an inactivating capacity seems to be independent of microsomal enzymes and mediated through some kind of heat-stable component(s) in the S9 fraction. Both regular wine (directly from the bottle) and lyophilized wine were strong mutagens in the Ara test, inducing 4914 and 2739 AraR mutants/ml. Both pKM101 and delta uvrB were critical factors in the detection of the mutagenicity of wine, exhibiting a synergic effect in strain BA13. The mutagenicity of red wine was somehow pH-dependent, increasing with the pH value of the preincubation mixture. In comparison with the Ara test, the His reverse mutation assay (Ames test) was much less sensitive to the mutagenicity of lyophilized red wine, TA102 being the most (448 His+/ml) and TA98 the least (38 His+/ml) sensitive strain. TA100, TA104 and TA97 manifested intermediate mutagenicities to red wine. Previous reports have identified strain TA98 as the His strain most sensitive to the apolar fraction (e.g. XAD-2-bound) of red wine. Based on these results we propose that TA98 mainly detects glycosides of mutagenic flavonols present in red wine (quercetin, rutin, etc.), which do not constitute the major direct-acting mutagens detected with the Ara test.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Arabinose↗

Coffee is highly mutagenic in the L-arabinose resistance test in Salmonella typhimurium.

The present study shows that the L-arabinose resistance test in Salmonella typhimurium detects coffee as a strong mutagen in the absence of mammalian microsomal activation. The response of the Ara forward mutation assay was 8.5 times higher than that of TA104, which is the most sensitive to coffee of the tester strains of the Ames test. Both the mutagenesis protocol (preincubation test) and the additional genetic characteristics of the bacterial tester strain (excision repair deficiency, normal lipopolysaccharide barrier, and the presence of plasmid pKM101) were critical factors in the optimal induction by coffee of forward mutations to L-arabinose resistance. All ten samples of roasted coffee analyzed with the Ara assay were highly mutagenic: one cup of coffee (150 ml) was calculated to induce 3-4 X 10(6) AraR mutants. In contrast, coffee prepared from unroasted beans (green coffee) had no mutagenic activity. Regular- and sugar-roasted coffees showed similar mutagenicities, but the specific mutagenic activity of instant coffees (1559 AraR mutants/mg) was almost 2 times that of noninstant ones (834 AraR mutants/mg). The Ara assay allowed the direct testing of coffee, although it was demonstrated that lyophilization has no effect on the mutagenicity of this beverage. Like roasted coffee, roasted barley induced a large number of AraR mutants per mg (227), though its specific mutagenic activity was approximately 4 and 7 times lower than that of noninstant and instant coffees, respectively.

Arabinose↗

Glutathione status and sensitivity to GSH-reacting compounds of Escherichia coli strains deficient in glutathione metabolism and/or catalase activity.

The intracellular concentrations of total glutathione, GSSG and protein X S-SG, the total excreted glutathione concentration, and the susceptibility towards GSH-reacting compounds were assayed in strains of Escherichia coli deficient in biosynthesis and/or reduction of glutathione. A deficiency in glutathione reductase displaced the glutathione status towards the oxidized forms. This displacement was more clearly appreciated in strains additionally deficient in glutathione biosynthesis. A deficiency in catalase activity also produced an increase in the oxidation of glutathione. The most severe changes were observed in the concentrations of protein-glutathione mixed disulfides and in the amount of glutathione excreted to the medium. Increased sensitivities towards compounds known to interact with cellular GSH were observed in glutathione reductase deficient strains, although these effects were enhanced in strains additionally deficient in GSH biosynthesis.

Catalase↗

Implication of active oxygen species in the direct-acting mutagenicity of tea.

The present study shows that the L-arabinose resistance test with Salmonella typhimurium detects that freshly infused tea is highly mutagenic in the absence of mammalian microsomal activation. Both the mutagenesis protocol (preincubation test) and the additional genetic characteristics of the bacterial tester strain (excision repair deficiency, normal lipopolysaccharide barrier and the presence of plasmid pKM101) were critical factors in the optimal induction by tea of forward mutations to L-arabinose resistance. The TA104 strain--a histidine auxotroph specific to oxidative mutagens--was the most sensitive tester strain of the Ames test to the direct-acting mutagenicity of tea. In comparison with strain TA104, the sensitivity of the Ara forward mutation test was 18 times higher, one cup of tea (200 ml) inducing 3 X 10(6) AraR mutants. More than 90% of the mutagenicity of 150 microliter of a fresh tea infusion, or that of the equivalent amount (1.32 mg) of the corresponding lyophilized residue, was suppressed by 10 units of catalase. In contrast to catalase, superoxide dismutase was rather ineffective. These results indicate that hydrogen peroxide is produced in tea solutions, playing an essential role in its mutagenicity. In comparison, the role of superoxide anion seems negligible. Like catalase, the chelating agent DETAPAC showed a protective effect with respect to the mutagenicity of tea, suggesting the additional implication of hydroxyl radicals.

Arabinose↗

Mutagenicity study on pyrazole, seven pyrazole derivatives, and two nitroimidazoles with the L-arabinose resistance test of Salmonella typhimurium.

The mutagenicity of pyrazole and seven pyrazole derivatives (4-nitropyrazole, 4-bromopyrazole, 1-methyl-4-nitropyrazole, 3,5-dimethyl-4-nitropyrazole, 1-methyl-4-bromopyrazole, 4,4'-dinitro-1, 1'-methylene-dipyrazole and 4,4'-dibromo-1,1'-methylene-dipyrazole) has been investigated with the L-arabinose forward mutation assay of Salmonella typhimurium. Two nitroimidazoles (1-methyl-5-nitroimidazole and metronidazole) were included as reference drugs. The mutagenicity of each chemical was determined by both preincubation and liquid tests, in the presence or absence of S9 microsomal fraction. The mutagenic response was expressed as the absolute number of L-arabinose resistant mutants growing in selective plates, supplemented with traces of D-glucose. Strain BA13 with a wildtype lipopolysaccharide barrier was used as a comparison to the deep rough derivative BA9. No mutagenic effect was detected with pyrazole and two of its derivatives, 1-methyl-4-bromopyrazole and 4,4'-dibromo-1,1'-methylene-dipyrazole. The other five pyrazole derivatives were mutagenic to different degrees, although their mutagenic potencies were always considerably lower than those of the two nitroimidazoles. The results suggest that 4-nitropyrazoles, as well as 4,4'-dinitro-1, 1'-methylene-dipyrazoles, should be investigated further as alternatives to, or even substitutes for, the currently used nitroimidazoles.

Antitrichomonal Agents↗

Conditions for the optimal use of the L-arabinose-resistance mutagenesis test with Salmonella typhimurium.

Different conditions of mutagenesis have been compared in order to optimize the use of the L-arabinose resistance test with Salmonella typhimurium. The mutagenesis protocols compared were the plate-incorporation, the pre-incubation and the liquid tests. Fourteen chemicals were used in the comparison: six direct-acting mutagens and eight pre-mutagens. Five concentrations of S9 (3, 7.5, 10, 15 and 33% v/v) were compared in the liquid test with pre-mutagens, and three densities of bacteria (ranging from 10(8) to 10(6) cells) were used in the comparison between the plate-incorporation and the pre-incubation mutagenesis test. In general, the liquid test proved the most sensitive mutagenesis protocol. When carrying out this test in a mass screening of mutagens, we propose to select the L-arabinose-resistant mutants in plates supplemented with 0.5 mg of D-glucose, and to express the mutagenic response as the absolute number of induced mutants. The plate-incorporation and the pre-incubation mutagenesis protocols could be considered as alternative procedures in the case of previous negative results with the liquid test. Two recommendations can be finally made in order to avoid false negative results: (a) a large population of bacteria (ranging from 10(8) to 10(7) cells) must be exposed to the mutagens in both the plate-incorporation and the pre-incubation mutagenesis tests, and (b) ideally, several S9 concentrations (ranging from 3 to 30% v/v) would be employed for testing in liquid samples of unknown mutagenicity.

Arabinose↗

Oxidative mutagens specific for A-T base pairs induce forward mutations to L-arabinose resistance in Salmonella typhimurium.

Strain TA102 of S. typhimurium is a new histidine-requiring mutant, particularly suited to the detection of oxidative mutagens acting at A.T base pairs. 10 oxidizing chemicals, previously tested in strain TA102, were used to evaluate the mutagenic sensitivity of the L-arabinose forward mutation assay of S. typhimurium with respect to those types of mutagens. The mutagenicity of each compound was determined by liquid test, measuring both the frequency of mutants among the survivors and the absolute number of mutants growing in selective plates with traces of D-glucose. Strain BA13 with a wild-type lipopolysaccharide barrier was used as compared to the deep rough derivative strain BA9. The chemicals studied were: bleomycin, t-butyl hydroperoxide, chromium trioxide, cumene hydroperoxide, formaldehyde, glyoxal, glutaraldehyde, hydrogen peroxide, paraquat, and phenylhydrazine. Additionally, ultrasonic oscillation was used as a presumable non-mutagenic lethal control treatment. The L-arabinose forward mutation assay detected the mutagenic activity of all the chemicals under study with a high degree of sensitivity, including paraquat which is unable to revert strain TA102. Positive responses were obtained at doses equivalent to or 10 times lower than the doses detected by strain TA102. The results support the idea that the L-arabinose forward mutation assay could replace the set of specific tester strains used by the histidine reverse mutation assay in general screening for genetic toxins.

Arabinose↗

Comparison of a forward and a reverse mutation assay in Salmonella typhimurium measuring L-arabinose resistance and histidine prototrophy.

A forward and a reverse mutation assay designed to detect environmental mutagens have been compared in Salmonella typhimurium. The forward mutation assay scored resistance to L-arabinose and the reverse assay, reversion of histidine auxotrophy. Eighteen chemicals of different structural groups, all known to be mutagenic in the histidine reverse assay, were applied to strains carrying the genetic markers needed to perform both mutation assays. The mutagenicity of each chemical was determined by both plate and liquid tests. The plate test counted absolute numbers of surviving mutants and the liquid test separately measured survival and frequency of mutants among the survivors. All the chemicals used were found to be mutagenic in both mutation assays. The response of the L-arabinose assay was equal to or larger than the response of the histidine assay in the case of 16 chemicals. The two other compounds, 2-nitrofluorene and sodium azide, were detected more efficiently by the histidine assay. Sodium azide, a non-carcinogenic compound, is a potent mutagen in the histidine assay, but very weak in the L-arabinose assay.

Arabinose↗