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Biomedical subjects

E Randerath

Publications and source records attributed to E Randerath.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Oat lipids-induced covalent DNA modifications (I-compounds) in female Sprague-Dawley rats, as determined by 32P-postlabeling.

Previous studies have shown that the presence of oats in the diet contributes to formation of I-compounds (age-dependent covalent DNA modifications detected by 32P-postlabeling assay) in female Sprague-Dawley rat liver DNA. The current study explored the possible ingredients in oats responsible for the observed effects on DNA. Feeding AIN-76A diet containing 5% oat lipids (obtained by methanol extraction and dissolved in trioctanoin) in place of corn oil for 2 months successfully induced the formation of 3 oats-specific (spots 2-4) and 4 natural ingredient diet-specific I-compounds (spots 6-9) in liver DNA. Barley, an oatlike cereal, induced 3 of these spots at very low intensities but not the 3 oats-specific I-spots. Oral administration of oat lipids to weanling rats of both sexes for 7 days elicited trace amounts of the oats-specific spots and spot 9 in liver DNA. However, when oat lipids were given at 6 or 9 weeks of age, the oats-specific spots were detected at high levels in female but not in male rats. These oats-related DNA modifications were also present in 6-week-old female rats which had received oat lipids p.o. for 2 or 3 days or i.p. for 4 days. Rats given trioctanoin or extracts from natural ingredient Wayne diet (lacking oats) did not show any of these spots. On the other hand, rats treated with extracts from an oats-containing Teklad diet displayed a trace amount of one of these I-compounds. Oat lipids did not induce any extra spots in rat kidney DNA. Feeding of AIN diet supplemented with oats to female Syrian hamsters did not elicit any renal or hepatic DNA alterations, as detected by 32P-postlabeling. Rats fed oat lipids-supplemented AIN diet or Purina diet showed the highest levels of I-compounds overall in liver among all dietary groups and these two groups also had significantly higher hepatic DNA synthesis rates. Oat lipids enhanced kidney DNA synthesis also. The total hepatic or renal cytochrome P-450 contents were not significantly affected by different diets. These results demonstrate a novel link between a natural dietary ingredient and covalent DNA modifications and shed light on the origins of certain I-compounds.

Animals

DNA damage induced by cigarette smoke condensate in vitro as assayed by 32P-postlabeling. Comparison with cigarette smoke-associated DNA adduct profiles in vivo.

Cigarette smoke induces a multitude of bulky/aromatic DNA adducts in vivo as revealed by 32P-postlabeling assay. The formation of such adducts is thought to involve metabolic activation of aromatic chemicals especially polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) present in tumor-initiating cigarette tar fractions, via cytochrome P450-associated monooxygenases. Because radicals are present in both the gas and particulate (tar) phase of cigarette smoke and in aqueous extracts of cigarette smoke condensate (CSC), we addressed the question as to whether cytochrome P450-independent, possibly free radical-mediated reactions may contribute, also, to formation of cigarette smoke-associated bulky DNA adducts. Rat-lung DNA was incubated with aqueous extracts of CSC in the absence of microsomes under various conditions and analyzed by 32P-postlabeling. Radioactively labeled bulky reaction products were found to accumulate in a time- and CSC concentration-dependent manner. The resulting chromatographic profiles resembled cigarette smoke-associated DNA-adduct patterns observed in vivo. Pretreatment of aqueous CSC extract with radical scavengers/reducing agents (ascorbic acid, glutathione) diminished adduct formation in a concentration-dependent manner. Adduct formation in vitro may involve oxygen-free radicals, which are known to be present in aqueous CSC extracts and could (i) attack DNA directly to produce bulky adducts, (ii) induce radical sites on DNA covalently binding CSC components, or (iii) convert CSC components to DNA-reactive electrophiles. In addition, DNA may react with direct-acting mutagens in CSC. Adduct fractions derived from in vitro and in vivo experiments showed similar chromatographic behavior, suggesting that metabolic activation as well as processes not involving metabolism lead to formation of smoking-induced bulky DNA adducts in vivo.

Animals

Formation of ribonucleotides in DNA modified by oxidative damage in vitro and in vivo. Characterization by 32P-postlabeling.

Oxygen free radicals generated by the interaction of Fe2+ and H2O2 (Fenton reaction) are capable of reacting with DNA bases, which may induce premutagenic and precarcinogenic lesions. Products formed in DNA by such reactions have been characterized as hydroxylated derivatives of cytosine, thymine, adenine, and guanine and imidazole ring-opened derivatives of adenine and guanine. As shown here by 32P-postlabeling, incubation of DNA under Fenton reaction conditions gave rise to additional oxidation products in DNA that were characterized as putative ribonucleosides by enzymatic hydrolysis of the oxidized DNA, 32P-postlabeling, and co-chromatography in multiple systems with authentic markers. Formation of these products in DNA was enhanced by the presence of L-ascorbic acid in the reaction mixtures and their total amounts were similar to those of the major DNA oxidation product, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine. The ribonucleoside guanosine was also formed in kidney DNA of male rats treated with ferric nitrilotriacetate, a renal carcinogen. It is postulated that ribonucleotides alter conformation and function of DNA and thus their presence in DNA may lead to adverse health effects.

Adenosine Triphosphate

Induction of rat liver DNA alterations by chronic administration of peroxisome proliferators as detected by 32P-postlabeling.

The mechanisms of the hepatocarcinogenicity of non-mutagenic peroxisome proliferators, i.e. compounds used as hypolipidemic drugs and industrial plasticizers, are not sufficiently understood. To gain more information on the mechanism of their action, the chronic effects of two structurally diverse peroxisome proliferators on rat-liver DNA were investigated by the 32P-postlabeling assay. Male F-344 rats (1.5 month old) were fed ciprofibrate (0.025%) in the diet for 2, 5, 8, and 16 months or Wy-14643 (0.1%) for 18 months. Liver DNA from individual treated animals (3-4 per group) and age-matched controls was analyzed by the nuclease P1/bisphosphate version of the 32P-postlabeling assay. Three distinct types of exposure-related DNA alterations were observed: (i) A significant reduction of the age-dependent accumulation of I-compounds (putative indigenous DNA modifications) (type 1), (ii) adduct-like DNA derivatives induced by the treatments (type 2), and (iii) as yet structurally uncharacterized radiolabeled material occupying substantial areas of DNA adduct maps and accumulating in an exposure time-dependent manner (type 3). DNA from liver tumors generated by these agents displayed only traces of I-compounds, lacked all but one adduct-like derivatives, and had no type 3 alterations. Thus, in contrast to the non-mutagenicity of peroxisome proliferators in short-term assays, chronic administration of these compounds led to DNA alterations that were detectable by 32P-postlabeling assay.

Affinity Labels

Effects of aging and caloric restriction on I-compounds in liver, kidney and white blood cell DNA of male Brown-Norway rats.

Rodent tissues display species-, strain-, sex- and tissue-specific adduct-like DNA modifications termed I-compounds, which increase with age, are modulated by diet and are presumably derived from indigenous metabolic intermediates. We have explored whether I-compounds are affected by caloric restriction, which is known to extend life span and retard age-related degenerative and neoplastic diseases. Male Brown-Norway rats were fed NIH-31 diet ad libitum (AL). Calorically restricted (CR) rats received 60% of AL consumption, starting at 3.5 months. DNA was analyzed by 32P-postlabeling at 1, 4, 8, 12, 16 and 24 months of age in liver, kidney and white blood cells. I-compounds in AL liver and kidney exhibited complex tissue specific profiles; I-compound levels increased with age, plateaued between 8 and 18 months depending on tissue and diet and were 8.7 (liver) and 27.4 (kidney) modifications in 10(8) nucleotides at 24 months, thereby exceeding the corresponding 1-month values by 3.7- and 16.6-fold. CR resulted in similar profiles but did not diminish age-related increases, rather I-compound levels in CR liver and kidney were increased by about 70% and 30% versus age-matched AL rats. White blood cells exhibited few I-compounds and at low levels; age-related increases were small overall but more pronounced in CR rats. Higher I-compound levels in CR animals, which were presumably a consequence of metabolic effects elicited by CR, thus correlated with extended life span and, therefore, may be beneficial, in agreement with previous findings showing an association between reduced I-compound levels and hepatocarcinogenesis as well as organ susceptibility to diseases.

Aging

Short-term effects of the tumor promoting polychlorinated biphenyl mixture, Aroclor 1254, on I-compounds in liver, kidney and lung DNA of male Sprague-Dawley rats.

The effects of a tumor promoting polychlorinated biphenyl mixture, Aroclor 1254, on I-compounds (tissue, species and sex dependent DNA modifications that increase with age in untreated rodents) were studied by 32P-postlabeling in male Sprague-Dawley rat liver, kidney, and lung DNA. Aroclor 1254 was dissolved in corn oil and intraperitoneally (i.p.) injected (2 x 500 mg/kg, 2 weeks apart) into 3-month-old rats. Control rats were given corn oil. Groups of 3 animals were sacrificed at 2 and 6 weeks after the second injection of corn oil or Aroclor 1254. At both time points Aroclor 1254-treated rats had significantly lower body weights and higher liver weights while kidney and lung weights were unaffected. Thymidine incorporation into liver and lung DNA was significantly increased at both time points, while kidney DNA showed a small decrease at 2 weeks. Treatment resulted in significant reductions (ranging from 29 to 100%) of each of nine liver I-spots at 2 and 6 weeks. In treated rats there was no decrease in kidney I-spots at 2 weeks, while the levels of only two out of ten kidney spots were reduced by 42-91% at 6 weeks. At 2 weeks three out of seven and at 6 weeks four out of seven lung I-spots were lowered by 51-100% in the Aroclor 1254-treated rats. Thus the effects decreased in the order liver greater than lung greater than kidney. Since Aroclor 1254 has been reported to be a tumor promoter in liver and lung but not kidney, these results suggest a correlation between organ specific promotion of carcinogenesis by Aroclor 1254 and the reduction of DNA I-compounds.

Animals

DNA adduct formation in liver and kidney of male Syrian hamsters treated with estrogen and/or alpha-naphthoflavone.

Chronic administration of estrogens to male Syrian hamsters induces kidney tumors. Co-administration of estrogen plus alpha-naphthoflavone (ANF) suppresses this kidney carcinogenesis but induces liver tumors instead. In an attempt to elucidate the mechanism of the switch from estrogen-induced kidney to liver carcinogenesis in response to ANF treatment, patterns of kidney and liver DNA adducts were investigated by 32P-postlabeling analysis and compared to controls. Chronic treatment of hamsters with ANF alone or in combination with estradiol resulted in a flavone-specific DNA adduct pattern in livers of these animals. These spots, adducts 1 and 2, on 32P-postlabeling maps were taken as evidence of covalent ANF-DNA modifications. The kidney-specific estrogen-induced indirect DNA adducts, observed previously in hamsters treated chronically with estrogen, occurred in renal but not hepatic DNA of animals treated with estradiol alone or in combination with ANF. Pretreatment of hamsters with ANF for 3 days decreased by 75-80% the hepatic and renal diethylstilbestrol (DES)-DNA adducts, which are formed after injection of a single large dose of DES. It is concluded from these changes in DNA adduct patterns and levels that estrogen quinone-DNA adduction may play an etiological role in estrogen-induced kidney cancer. The prevention of estrogen-induced kidney tumors by ANF co-treatment may be a consequence of the decrease in renal concentrations of these adducts in response to ANF. Hepatic concentrations of estrogen quinone-DNA adducts also decrease, but ANF-DNA adducts, observed only in liver, may assume an etiological role in the induction of hepatomas.

Animals

Sexual dimorphism of the chromatographic profiles of I-compounds (endogenous deoxyribonucleic acid modifications) in rat liver.

DNA of all tissues studied thus far in untreated mammals contains as yet structurally unidentified, covalent modifications termed I (indigenous)-compounds, which are detectable by the 32P postlabeling assay for DNA adducts and increase with age. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of sex, gonadectomy, and androgen administration on I-compound profiles and levels in order to gain insight into the factors involved in the biosynthesis of these DNA modifications. Liver DNA from various groups of 6-month-old Sprague-Dawley rats (untreated or gonadectomized males and females; animals with or without gonadectomy treated with testosterone propionate) was analyzed by a nuclease P1-enhanced version of the 32P postlabeling assay. Hepatic I-compound profiles of untreated animals exhibited pronounced sexual dimorphism. In addition to a number of I-compounds that differed quantitatively between sexes, 7 female-specific and 1 male-specific I-compounds were observed. In female rats, the total level amounted to 112 I-compounds in 10(9) DNA nucleotides and exceeded the level in males by 3-fold. Castration feminized and ovariectomy masculinized I-compound profiles and levels. Neonatal testosterone propionate failed to restore the male pattern of I-compounds lost by neonatal castration, so that an androgen-imprinting mechanism did not appear to be involved in the maintenance of the male I-compound phenotype and the suppression of the female pattern. Testosterone propionate administered to intact female animals lowered total I-compound levels significantly. The results indicate that estrogens play a dominant role in regulating sex-dependent formation of I-compounds in rat liver. The dependence of I-compound formation on both age and sex hormones suggests that the levels of these DNA modifications are developmentally controlled.

Animals

Effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin on I-compounds in hepatic DNA of Sprague-Dawley rats: sex-specific effects and structure-activity relationships.

The effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and related compounds on the specific patterns of age-dependent I-compound DNA adducts in the liver of male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were determined by the 32P-postlabeling assay. In female rats, TCDD causes a dose-dependent decrease of several individual and total hepatic I-compound levels after administration of 1 and 5 micrograms/kg per week for 4 weeks. In contrast, no such effects were observed in male Sprague-Dawley rats treated with the 5 micrograms/kg dose level of TCDD. The relative effects of TCDD, 1,2,3,7,8-pentachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (PCDD) and 1,2,4,7,8-PCDD on hepatic I-compound levels in the susceptible female Sprague-Dawley rats were determined using a dose of 5 micrograms/kg per week for 4 weeks. The two compounds which are substituted in all four lateral positions, namely TCDD and 1,2,3,7,8-PCDD, caused a significant decrease in hepatic I-compound levels, whereas 1,2,4,7,8-PCDD which is substituted in only three lateral positions was inactive. The structure-activity relationships observed for the effects of these compounds on hepatic I-compounds correlated with their corresponding structure-Ah receptor binding and structure-toxicity relationships. The results are therefore consistent with a role for the Ah receptor in the TCDD-mediated reduction in hepatic I-compound levels in female Sprague-Dawley rats. These results and data from previous studies demonstrate a correlation between the susceptibility of an organ/species to the carcinogenic effects of TCDD and the reduction of I-compound levels. The significance of this correlation in the development of TCDD-induced carcinogenesis has not been delineated.

Age Factors

Age-related DNA modifications (I-compounds): modulation by physiological and pathological processes.

I-compounds are covalent DNA modifications that can be detected and measured by 32P-postlabeling assay because of their DNA-adduct like properties. They accumulate in an age-dependent, highly reproducible manner in tissue DNA of untreated animals in the absence of exogenous carcinogens and, therefore, appear to arise via the interaction of DNA with endogenous reactants formed in the course of normal metabolism. Chromatographically, they exhibit a wide range of polarities, indicative of structural diversity. In addition to age-dependent increases, I-compound profiles exhibit prominent species-, sex-, tissue- and diet-dependent qualitative and quantitative differences. Natural-ingredient (chow) diets produce qualitative differences as well as substantially higher I-compound levels in rat liver and kidney, when compared with purified diets. Modified purified diets containing high carbohydrate, protein, or fat concentrations further modulate I-compound profiles. During liver regeneration, I-compounds behave like DNA adducts rather than m5 C in that their levels are not quickly restored. Treatment of rats with the hepatocarcinogens 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), CCl4, and peroxisome proliferators as well as with a choline-devoid hepatocarcinogenic diet depressed the age-related increases of I-compound levels in liver, the target organ. Additional 32P-labeled derivatives were observed only with the peroxisome proliferators and presumably represent DNA adducts of exogenous origin. No I-compounds were detected in a series of Morris hepatomas with different degrees of differentiation. Thus, loss of I-compounds may be associated with altered gene expression/dedifferentiation. On the other hand, the age-dependent accumulation of I-compounds and their adduct-like character suggest potential relations to aging-associated dysdifferentiation and initiation of cancer. Structural complexity indicates different biological roles of I-compounds.

Aging

Age-dependent covalent DNA alterations (I-compounds) in rat liver mitochondrial DNA.

Rat liver mitochondrial (mt) DNA was investigated for the presence of I-compounds, a recently discovered type of DNA modifications which is detected and measured via 32P-postlabeling. These DNA modifications were previously shown to accumulate in an age-dependent manner in total cellular DNA of various tissues of untreated rodents. In the present work, mt DNA of 1-, 3-, 6-, and 9-month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats was found by 32P-postlabeling also to contain I-compounds that increase with age. Most of the I-compounds were identical for mt and nuclear (nu) DNA. A cluster of 2 non-polar I-spots (termed M-compounds) was mitochondria-specific and increased about 8-fold from 1 to 9 months, attaining a RAL value of 44 X 10(-9) or 1 modification in 2.3 X 10(7) DNA nucleotides at 9 months. Quantitative differences between chromatographically identical spots were seen mainly for a low-polarity fraction of I-compounds, which exhibited 2 times higher overall levels in mt DNA versus nu DNA over the age range studied. Total I-compound levels increased during this time 6.9- and 5.1-fold in nuclei and mitochondria, respectively. The M-compound level was close to 10% of total mt DNA I-compound levels. M-compounds may conceivably be derived from potentially DNA-reactive electron carriers of the mt electron-transport chain, while I-compounds common to both mt and nu DNA presumably originate in extramitochondrial sources. The similarity of mitochondrial and nuclear I-compound profiles and amounts implies possible regulatory mechanisms in I-compound formation and repair. Mt DNA maps showed additional 32P-labeled material which may have been associated with DNA damage caused by oxygen free radicals known to be generated by the mt electron-transport chain. Age-dependent increases of mt DNA modifications are potentially related to mt mutations and may be linked to age-related degenerative changes in mitochondria.

Aging

Lack of I-compounds in DNA from a spectrum of Morris hepatomas.

A partial, progressive loss of I-compounds (age-dependent, putative indigenous DNA modifications) has been observed recently during hepatocarcinogenesis induced in rats by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, choline-devoid diet or peroxisome proliferators. It was of interest, therefore, to investigate the status of I-compounds in hepatic neoplasms. I-compounds were measured by 32P-postlabeling in eight transplantable rat (Morris) hepatomas of different growth rates and in host liver. Most I-compounds seen in liver were not detected in any of the hepatomas, and those present exhibited low levels. Hepatomas displayed an overall level of one I-compound in 2 x 10(8) DNA nucleotides, which was 7-16 times lower than liver values. The extent of I-compound deficiency did not correlate with tumor growth rate. These results, taken together with previously documented pronounced tissue-, sex-, strain- and species-specificity of I-compound profiles, suggest that I-compounds are normal DNA modifications and that their deficiency may contribute to development and maintenance of neoplasia.

Aging

Monitoring carcinogen actions on DNA by 32P-postlabeling.

Among several recently developed analytical methods, 32P-postlabeling analysis is a highly sensitive method for the detection and measurement of covalent carcinogen-DNA adducts and other DNA modifications. Since the method does not require radioactive carcinogens, it is suitable for DNA of humans exposed to environmental or occupational genotoxicants. The basic procedure entails the enzymatic incorporation of 32P-label into monomeric or dimeric hydrolysis products of DNA, followed by chromatographic mapping and autoradiography of the 32P-labeled digestion products and quantitation by scintillation spectrometry. Microgram amounts of DNA are analyzed; thus the assay is well suited for limited amounts of cells or tissue. Various versions of the assay afford different sensitivities of adduct detection. Under optimal conditions, one aromatic or bulky/hydrophobic adduct in 10(8)-10(10) nucleotides can be detected and measured (corresponding to 0.3-30 amol adduct/microgram DNA or 0.1-10 nmol adduct/mol DNA-P). The assay has been successfully applied to a variety of mutagenic (genotoxic) as well as non-mutagenic carcinogens. In humans, the 32P-postlabeling assay has been applied to DNA specimens from cigarette smokers, iron foundry workers, and coke oven workers. Estimation of total aromatic adduct levels in exposed individuals gave values of 1 adduct in 10(6)-10(8) DNA nucleotides. These values are similar to the total levels of persistent adducts in tissues of animals after exposure to initiating or carcinogenic doses of authentic aromatic genotoxicants. Among the non-mutagenic carcinogens investigated are estrogens, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), choline-devoid diet, carbon tetrachloride, and peroxisome proliferators. In addition, age-dependent DNA modifications (I-compounds) are being detected by 32P-postlabeling in animals that have not been knowingly exposed to mutagens/carcinogens. I-compound profiles and levels are dependent on species, tissue, sex, and diet. Reduced levels of I-compounds have been consistently noted in the target organ of carcinogen-exposed animals and in resulting neoplasms, suggesting that I-compound loss may play a role in carcinogenesis.

Animals

32P-postlabeling assay for carcinogen-DNA adducts and other dna modifications.

32P-postlabeling analysis is a recently developed, highly sensitive method for the detection and measurement of covalent DNA adducts. Since the method does not require radioactive carcinogens, it is suitable for DNA of humans exposed to environmental or occupational genotoxicants. The basic procedure entails the enzymatic incorporation of 32P-label into enzymatic digestion products of DNA, the chromatographic separation and autoradiographic detection of the 32P-labeled digestion products and their quantitation by scintillation counting. Since only microgram amounts of DNA are required, the assay is well suited for the analysis of DNA lesions whenever only limited amounts of cells or tissue may be available. Various versions of the assay have been described affording different sensitivities of adduct detection. Under optimal conditions, one aromatic or bulky/hydrophobic adduct in 10(8) - 10(10) nucleotides can be detected and measured (this corresponds to 0.0003 - 0.03 fmol adduct/microgram DNA or 0.1 - 10 nmol adduct/mol DNA-P). The assay has been successfully applied to a variety of mutagenic (genotoxic) as well as non-mutagenic carcinogens. Among the latter are estrogens and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). In addition, the assay detects age-dependent DNA modifications (I-compounds) in animals that have not been knowingly exposed to mutagens/carcinogens. In humans, the 32P-postlabeling assay has been applied to cigarette smokers, iron foundry workers and coke oven workers. Estimation of total aromatic adduct levels in exposed individuals gave values of 1 adduct in 10(6) - 10(8) DNA nucleotides. These values are similar to the total levels of persistent adducts in tissues of animals after exposure to initiating or carcinogenic doses of authentic aromatic geno-toxicants.

Aging

Covalent DNA damage in tissues of cigarette smokers as determined by 32P-postlabeling assay.

Covalent DNA addition products (adducts) formed by the reaction of chemical carcinogens or their metabolites with DNA are critically involved in the initiation of chemical carcinogenesis and may serve as molecular markers and dosimeters for environmental carcinogen exposures. Using a highly sensitive 32P-postlabeling assay for DNA adduct analysis, we studied DNA damage elicited by cigarette smoke in tissues of smokers. A multitude of characteristic smoking-induced, presumably aromatic DNA adducts were found to occur in a dose- and time-dependent manner in the lung, bronchus, and larynx of smokers with cancer of these organs and to decline only slowly after cessation of smoking. Low levels of adducts appeared to persist for up to 14 years in the lungs of exsmokers with high previous exposures. These results corroborate data of epidemiological studies showing that the lung cancer risk and mortality of smokers increase with the intensity and duration of smoking and decline only slowly after cessation of smoking. Tissue distribution studies in autopsy samples revealed the presence of smoking-associated DNA lesions also in the kidney, bladder, esophagus, heart, ascending aorta, and liver. The most extensive DNA damage was found in lung and heart, i.e., 1 aromatic adduct in about 10(7) DNA nucleotides. Our results suggest that cigarette smoking-induced DNA adduct formation is causally related to cancer in the target organs.

Adult

Age-dependent covalent DNA alterations (I-compounds) in rodent tissues: species, tissue and sex specificities.

I-compounds are non-polar covalent DNA modifications of as yet undetermined structure that tend to accumulate in an age-dependent manner in tissues of untreated animals. They are detectable by 32P-postlabeling assay because of their adduct-like properties and chromatographically resemble DNA nucleotides containing bulky/hydrophobic moieties. To determine which factors may be involved in their formation, I-compounds were examined by 32P-postlabeling in liver and kidney DNA of female and male Sprague-Dawley rats and Syrian hamsters of different ages (1, 4 and 10 months and 1, 2.5 and 9.5 months, respectively). The following results were obtained: (i) Every tissue DNA studied contained characteristic I-compounds. (ii) Patterns and amounts of I-compounds were reproducible among animals of the same kind. (iii) There were pronounced organ and species differences. (iv) I-compound patterns were sex-dependent. (v) I-compound levels increased with age in all tissues studied, except in male hamster kidney, a target organ of estrogen-induced carcinogenesis. The highest levels were observed in liver and kidney of 10-month-old female rats. (vi) The rise of I-compound levels was less steep during the later part of the observation period for female but not male animals. (vii) Gonadectomy decreased I-compound levels in female hamster kidney DNA, while causing a slight increase in male animals later in life. These I-compounds were identical to previously reported DNA modifications that increased in male hamster kidneys after prolonged estrogen treatment. Points, iv, vi and vii strongly implicated sex hormones in I-compound formation. The qualitative effects of species, tissue differentiation, gender and sex hormones on these DNA modifications support the hypothesis that I-compounds are formed by the binding of endogenous electrophiles to DNA. As persistent DNA alterations, they are likely to affect DNA replication and to play a role in spontaneous and chemically induced carcinogenesis and in aging.

Aging

A new sensitive 32P-postlabeling assay based on the specific enzymatic conversion of bulky DNA lesions to radiolabeled dinucleotides and nucleoside 5'-monophosphates.

A new sensitive 32P-postlabeling assay for DNA adducts has been developed in which DNA is hydrolyzed initially by nuclease P1 and prostatic acid phosphatase instead of micrococcal nuclease and spleen phosphodiesterase as employed in previous postlabeling procedures. When DNA containing bulky adducts, X1, X2, .....Xn, is digested with nuclease P1 at pH 5, normal nucleotides are released as 5'-monophosphates, pN, while adducts are excised as 5'-phosphorylated dinucleotides, pXipN, because internucleotide linkages on the 3' side of X resist attack by nuclease P1. Addition of prostatic acid phosphatase to such a digest results in 5'-dephosphorylation of the nucleotides to normal nucleosides, N, and adducted dinucleotides, XipN, carrying a 5'-terminal free hydroxyl group. The dinucleotides but not nucleosides are converted to 5'-32P-labeled dinucleotides, [32P]pXipN, by T4 polynucleotide kinase-catalyzed [32P]phosphate transfer from [gamma-32P]ATP. Upon mapping on polyethyleneimine--cellulose anion-exchange TLC, the labeled dinucleotide adducts produce characteristic autoradiographic fingerprints. Alternatively, they are further digested with snake venom phosphodiesterase to yield 5'-monophosphates, [32P]pXi and pN. TLC profiles of the monophosphate adducts are distinct from those of the dinucleotides. These reactions provide the basis of the new 32P-postlabeling scheme, which is compared in this paper with a previously reported protocol yielding adducts in the form of 5'-32P-labeled 3',5'-bisphosphates, [32P]pXip. The results show that the availability of three different types of 32P-postlabeled derivatives for the same adduct aids in the analysis and chromatographic characterization of DNA adducts from diverse exogenous and endogenous sources.

Acid Phosphatase