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Biomedical subjects

Fred F Kadlubar

Publications and source records attributed to Fred F Kadlubar.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

CYP2A13 expressed in human bladder metabolically activates 4-aminobiphenyl.

Cigarette smoking is the predominant risk factor for bladder cancer. Aromatic amines such as 4-aminobiphenyl (ABP) is the major carcinogens found in tobacco smoke. Although it is generally accepted that ABP is metabolically activated via N-hydroxylation by CYP1A2 in human liver, previous studies using Cyp1a2-null mice indicated the involvement of other enzyme(s). Here we found that CYP2A13 can metabolically activate ABP to show genotoxicity by Umu assay. The K(m) and V(max) values for ABP N-hydroxylation by recombinant CYP2A13 in E. coli were 38.5 +/- 0.6 microM and 7.8 +/- 0.0 pmol/min/pmol CYP, respectively. The K(m) and V(max) values by recombinant CYP1A2 were 9.9 +/- 0.9 microM and 39.6 +/- 0.9 pmol/min/pmol CYP, respectively, showing 20-fold higher intrinsic clearance than CYP2A13. In human bladder, CYP2A13 mRNA, but not CYP1A2, is expressed at a relatively high level. Human bladder microsomes showed ABP N-hydroxylase activity (K(m) = 34.9 +/- 4.7 microM and V(max) = 57.5 +/- 1.9 pmol/min/mg protein), although the intrinsic clearance was 5-fold lower than that in human liver microsomes (K(m) = 33.2 +/- 2.0 microM and V(max) = 293.9 +/- 5.8 pmol/min/mg protein). The activity in human bladder microsomes was prominently inhibited by 8-methoxypsoralen, but not by fluvoxamine, anti-CYP1A2 or anti-CYP2A6 antibodies. CYP2S1, which is expressed in human bladder and has relatively high amino acid identities with CYP2As, did not show detectable ABP N-hydroxylase activity. In conclusion, although the enzyme responsible for ABP N-hydroxylation in human bladder microsomes could not be determined, we found that CYP2A13 metabolically activates ABP.

Aminobiphenyl Compounds↗

Synergic effect of polymorphisms in ERCC6 5' flanking region and complement factor H on age-related macular degeneration predisposition.

This study investigates age-related macular degeneration (AMD) genetic risk factors through identification of a functional single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and its disease association. We chose ERCC6 because of its roles in the aging process, DNA repair, and ocular degeneration from the gene disruption. Bioinformatics indicated a putative binding-element alteration on the sequence containing C-6530>G SNP in the 5' flanking region of ERCC6 from Sp1 on the C allele to SP1, GATA-1, and OCT-1 on the G allele. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays displayed distinctive C and G allele-binding patterns to nuclear proteins. Luciferase expression was higher in the vector construct containing the G allele than that containing the C allele. A cohort of 460 advanced AMD cases and 269 age-matched controls was examined along with pathologically diagnosed 57 AMD and 18 age-matched non-AMD archived cases. ERCC6 C-6530>G was associated with AMD susceptibility, both independently and through interaction with an SNP (rs380390) in the complement factor H (CFH) intron reported to be highly associated with AMD. A disease odds ratio of 23 was conferred by homozygozity for risk alleles at both ERCC6 and CFH compared with homozygozity for nonrisk alleles. Enhanced ERCC6 expression was observed in lymphocytes from healthy donors bearing ERCC6 C-6530>G alleles. Intense immunostaining of ERCC6 was also found in AMD eyes from ERCC6 C-6530>G carriers. The strong AMD predisposition conferred by the ERCC6 and CFH SNPs may result from biological epistasis, because ERCC6 functions in universal transcription as a component of RNA pol I transcription complex.

5' Flanking Region↗

NAT2 slow acetylation and bladder cancer in workers exposed to benzidine.

This study expands a previous study of NAT2 polymorphisms and bladder cancer in male subjects occupationally exposed only to benzidine. The combined analysis of 68 cases and 107 controls from a cohort of production workers in China exposed to benzidine included 30 new cases and 67 controls not previously studied. NAT2 enzymatic activity phenotype was characterized by measuring urinary caffeine metabolite ratios. PCR-based methods identified genotypes for NAT2, NAT1 and GSTM1. NAT2 phenotype and genotype data were consistent. A protective association was observed for the slow NAT2 genotype (bladder cancer OR = 0.3; 95% CI = 0.1 = 1.0) after adjustment for cumulative benzidine exposure and lifetime smoking. Individuals carrying NAT1wt/*10 and NAT1*10/*10 showed higher relative risks of bladder cancer (OR = 2.8, 95% CI = 0.8-10.1 and OR = 2.2, 95% CI = 0.6-8.3, respectively). No association was found between GSTM1 null and bladder cancer. A metaanalysis risk estimate of case-control studies of NAT2 acetylation and bladder cancer in Asian populations without occupational arylamine exposures showed an increased risk for slow acetylators. The lower limit of the confidence interval (OR = 1.4; 95% CI = 1.0-2.0) approximated the upper confidence interval for the estimate obtained in our analysis. These results support the earlier finding of a protective association between slow acetylation and bladder cancer in benzidine-exposed workers, in contrast to its established link as a risk factor for bladder cancer in people exposed to 2-naphthylamine and 4-aminobiphenyl. Study findings suggest the existence of key differences in the metabolism of mono- and diarylamines.

Acetylation↗

Search for an association between the human CYP1A2 genotype and CYP1A2 metabolic phenotype.

The genotype responsible for more than 60-fold interindividual differences in human hepatic CYP1A2 constitutive expression is not understood. Resequencing the human CYP1A1_CYP1A2 locus (39.6 kb) in five major geographically isolated subgroups recently led to the identification of 85 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), 57 of which were double-hit SNPs. Here, we attempted to correlate the CYP1A2 genotype with a metabolic phenotype. We chose 16 SNPs (all having a minor allele frequency > or =0.05 in Caucasians) to genotype 32 DNA samples (26 Caucasians, six Ethiopians) in which CYP1A2 metabolism had previously been determined. From 280 subjects (five locations worldwide) that had been CYP1A2-phenotyped, we genotyped the 10 highest, 14 lowest and eight intermediate DNA samples. Although no SNP was significant (P<0.05), possibly due to the small sample size, we found a trend for several of the six SNPs across the CYP1A2 linkage disequilibrium block associated with the trait. Five CYP1A2 haplotypes were inferred, two of which had not previously been reported; haplotype 1A2H10 showed the greatest association with CYP1A2 activity. Regulatory sequences responsible for the large interindividual differences in hepatic CYP1A2 gene basal expression might reside, in part, with some of these CYP1A2 SNPS but, in large part, might be located either cis (in nearby sequences not yet haplotyped) or trans in that they are not linked to the gene. We conclude that no SNP or haplotype in the CYP1A2 gene has yet been identified that can unequivocally be used to predict the metabolic phenotype in any individual patient.

Alleles↗

Associations between catalase phenotype and genotype: modification by epidemiologic factors.

Catalase is an endogenous antioxidant enzyme that neutralizes hydrogen peroxide and is induced by oxidative challenge. A -262C --> T polymorphism in the promoter region of the gene (CAT) is associated with risk of several conditions related to oxidative stress. We sought to determine the functional effects of the CAT polymorphism on enzyme activity in erythrocytes and the potential modifying effects of demographic and lifestyle factors on genotype/phenotype relationships, using specimens and data from controls from breast and prostate cancer studies in Arkansas (n = 420). There was a dose-response reduction in catalase activity by genotype, with geometric means of 115.4 units/mg hemoglobin for those with CC genotypes, 82.1 units/mg for those with CT genotypes, and 73.5 units/mg for those with TT genotypes. Associations were only observed among Caucasians (P < 0.0001), with no effects among African Americans (P = 0.91), and were stronger among women than men, although numbers in stratified analyses were small. Differences in catalase activity by genotype were most pronounced among those in the highest tertiles of consumption of fruits and vegetables (-35%, P = 0.003), with weaker relationships among those who were lower consumers (-21.8%, P = 0.16). Among those with CC genotypes, there was no change in activity by consumption, but there were notable decreases in activity by tertiles of consumption for those with at least one T allele. These data indicate that the CAT -262C --> T polymorphism predicts a portion of catalase phenotype, which may be limited to Caucasians. Associations between genotype and phenotype were modified by dietary factors, illustrating the biochemical complexity of studies of genetic polymorphisms and disease risk.

Adult↗

Deletion polymorphism of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 2B17 and risk of prostate cancer in African American and Caucasian men.

PURPOSE: UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGT) are a family of enzymes that glucuronidate many endogenous chemicals, including androgens. This makes them more hydrophilic, alters biological activity, and facilitates their excretion. A deletion polymorphism in the UGT2B17 gene was recently described that was associated with a reduced rate of glucuronidation in vivo. The purpose of this study was to determine if the deletion polymorphism is associated with susceptibility to prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: UGT2B17 expression was determined by reverse transcription-PCR of pathologically normal prostate tissues (n = 5). In a case-control study with 420 patients with incident primary prostate cancer (127 African Americans and 293 Caucasians) and 487 controls (120 African Americans and 367 Caucasians), the frequency of UGT2B17 deletion polymorphism in genomic DNA was compared between cases and controls with PCR analysis. RESULTS: UGT2B17 mRNA was detected only in individuals with at least one UGT2B17 allele. The frequency of the null genotype was present in 0.11 and 0.12 of Caucasian and African American controls, respectively. When all subjects were considered, a significant association was found between the UGT2B17 deletion polymorphism and prostate cancer risk [odds ratio (OR), 1.7; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.2-2.6]. There was an increase in prostate cancer risk among individuals with UGT2B17 deletion polymorphism in Caucasians (OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.2-3.0) but not in African Americans (OR, 1.3; 95% CI, 0.6-2.7). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the UGT2B17 enzyme may play a role in the metabolism of androgens in prostate tissue and that the UGT2B17 deletion polymorphism is associated with prostate cancer risk.

Adult↗

Expression of cytochromes P450 and glutathione S-transferases in human prostate, and the potential for activation of heterocyclic amine carcinogens via acetyl-coA-, PAPS- and ATP-dependent pathways.

Dietary factors appear to be involved in the high incidence of prostate cancer in "Westernized" countries, implicating dietary carcinogens such as heterocyclic amines (HAs) in the initiation of prostate carcinogenesis. We examined 24 human prostate samples with respect to their potential for activation and detoxification of HAs and the presence of DNA adducts formed in vivo. Cytochromes P450 1B1, 3A4 and 3A5 were expressed at low levels (<0.1-6.2 pmol/mg microsomal protein). N-Acetyltransferase (NAT) activities, using p-aminobenzoic acid (NAT1) and sulfamethazine (NAT2) as substrates, were <5-5,500 and <5-43 pmol/min/mg cytosolic protein, respectively. Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) P1, M2 and M3 were expressed at 0.038-1.284, 0.005-0.126 and 0.010-0.270 microg/mg cytosolic protein, respectively; GSTM1 was expressed in all GSTM1-positive samples (0.012-0.291 microg/mg cytosolic protein); and GSTA1 was expressed at low levels (<0.01-0.11 microg/mg cytosolic protein). Binding of N-hydroxy-PhIP to DNA in vitro occurred primarily by an AcCoA-dependent process (<1-54 pmol/mg/DNA), PAPS- and ATP-dependent binding being <1-7 pmol/mg DNA. In vivo, putative PhIP- or 4-aminobiphenyl-DNA adducts were found in 4 samples (0.4-0.8 adducts/10(8) bases); putative hydrophobic adducts were found in 6 samples (8-64 adducts/10(8) bases). Thus, the prostate appears to have low potential for N-hydroxylation of HAs but greater potential for activation of N-hydroxy HAs to genotoxic N-acetoxy esters. The prostate has potential for GSTP1-dependent detoxification of ATP-activated N-hydroxy-PhIP but little potential for detoxification of N-acetoxy-PhIP by GSTA1. However, there were no significant correlations between expression/activities and DNA adducts formed in vitro or in vivo, DNA adducts in vivo possibly reflecting carcinogen exposure.

Acetyl Coenzyme A↗

Association of genetic variation in tamoxifen-metabolizing enzymes with overall survival and recurrence of disease in breast cancer patients.

Tamoxifen has been a mainstay of adjuvant therapy for breast cancer for many years. We sought to determine if genetic variability in the tamoxifen metabolic pathway influenced overall survival in breast cancer patients treated with tamoxifen. We examined functional polymorphisms in CYP2D6, the P450 catalyzing the formation of active tamoxifen metabolites, and UGT2B15, a Phase II enzyme facilitating the elimination of active metabolite in a retrospective study of breast cancer patients. We also examined whether the combination of variant alleles in SULT1A1 and UGT2B15 had more of an impact on overall survival in tamoxifen-treated patients than when the genes were examined separately. We conducted a retrospective study using archived paraffin blocks for DNA extraction and data from pathology reports and hospital tumor registry data for information on clinical characteristics, treatment, and outcomes (162 patients receiving tamoxifen and 175 who did not). Genotypes for CYP2D6 and UGT2B15 were obtained and Cox proportional hazards modeling was performed. After adjusting for age, race, stage of disease at diagnosis, and hormone receptor status, we found no significant association between CYP2D6 genotype and overall survival in either group of breast cancer patients. Tamoxifen-treated patients with UGT2B15 high activity genotypes had increased risk of recurrence and poorer survival. When UGT2B15 and SULT1A1 'at-risk' alleles were combined, women with two variant alleles had significantly greater risk of recurrence and poorer survival than those with common alleles. These studies indicate that genetic variation in Phase II conjugating enzymes can influence the efficacy of tamoxifen therapy for breast cancer.

Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal↗

Identification of functional genetic variants in cyclooxygenase-2 and their association with risk of esophageal cancer.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Overexpression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is implicated in many steps of cancer development. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the COX-2 promoter might contribute to differential COX-2 expression and subsequent interindividual variability in susceptibility to cancer. This study sought to identify functional SNPs in the COX-2 promoter and evaluated their effects on the risk of developing esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). METHODS: Thirty individual DNA samples were sequenced to search for SNPs, and the function of the SNPs was examined by a set of biochemical assays. Genotypes and haplotypes were analyzed in 1026 patients and 1270 controls, and odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated by logistic regression. RESULTS: Three SNPs, -1290A-->G, -1195G-->A, and -765G-->C, were identified; the frequencies of variant alleles were 0.04, 0.51, and 0.02, respectively. The -1195G-->A change creates a c-MYB binding site and displays a higher promoter activity. The -1195A-containing haplotypes had significantly increased luciferase expression and COX-2 messenger RNA levels in esophageal tissues compared with the -1195G-containing counterparts. A case-control analysis showed a 1.72-fold (95% CI, 1.35-2.20) and 2.24-fold (95% CI, 1.59-3.16) excess risk of developing ESCC for the -1195AA or -765CC genotype carriers compared with noncarriers. A greater risk of developing ESCC was observed for A(-1195)-C(-765)-containing haplotypes compared with G(-1195)-G(-765)-containing haplotypes, suggesting an interaction between the -1195G-->A and -765G-->C polymorphisms in the context of haplotype. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that genetic variants in COX-2 may play a role in mediating susceptibility to esophageal cancer.

Adult↗

Sex differences in cytochrome P450 1B1, an estrogen-metabolizing enzyme, in the rhesus monkey telencephalon.

The metabolic enzyme CYP1B1 is a recently cloned member of the cytochrome P450 superfamily, expressed widely throughout primate tissue, including the CNS. Although CYP1B1 protein is known to metabolize estradiol to catecholestrogens in the uterus, its localization and function in brain have not yet been described. To better understand CYP1B1 distribution, we have combined in situ hybridization (ISH) for its mRNA with immunohistochemistry (IHC) for the CYP1B1 protein in selected brain regions of male and female adult rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta). Blocks of formalin-fixed tissue obtained from the frontal cortex, hippocampus, thalamus, and amygdala were processed and embedded in paraffin. They were then sectioned and stained as described for human tissue [Muskhelishvili, L., Thompson, P.A., Kusewitt, D.F., Wang, C., Kadlubar, F.F., 2001. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemical analysis of cytochrome P450 1B1 expression in human normal tissues. J. Histochem. Cytochem. 49, 229-236]. Results indicated widespread distribution of CYP1B1 mRNA in both male and female monkey frontal cortex, hippocampus, thalamus, and amygdala. In contrast, although CYP1B1 protein was co-localized with its mRNA in the female brains, it was primarily restricted to hippocampal pyramidal neurons in the male brains. These results suggest that CYP1B1 may subserve widespread metabolic functions in the female primate brain but have more restricted actions within the hippocampal pyramidal neurons of the male.

Animals↗

Human alpha class glutathione S-transferases: genetic polymorphism, expression, and susceptibility to disease.

The human alpha class glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) consist of 5 genes, hGSTA1-hGSTA5, and 7 pseudogenes on chromosome 6p12.1-6p12.2. hGSTA1-hGSTA4 have been well characterized as proteins, but hGSTA5 has not been detected as a gene product. hGSTA1-1 (and to a lesser extent hGSTA2-2) catalyzes the GSH-dependent detoxification of carcinogenic metabolites of environmental pollutants and tobacco smoke (e.g., polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon diolepoxides) and several alkylating chemotherapeutic agents and has peroxidase activity toward fatty acid hydroperoxides (FA-OOH) and phosphatidyl FA-OOH. hGSTA3-3 has high activity for the GSH-dependent Delta(5)-Delta(4) isomerization of steroids, and hGSTA4-4 has high activity for the GSH conjugation of 4-hydroxynonenal. hGSTA4 is expressed in many tissues; hGSTA1-1 and hGSTA2-2 are expressed at high levels in liver, intestine, kidney, adrenal gland, and testis; and hGSTA3 is expressed in steroidogenic tissues. Functional, allelic, single nucleotide polymorphisms occur in an SP1-binding element of hGSTA1 and in the coding regions of hGSTA2 and hGSTA3. The main effects of these polymorphisms are the low hepatic expression of hGSTA1 in individuals homozygous for hGSTA1*B and the low specific activity of the hGSTA2E-2E variant toward FA-OOH. These properties suggest that alpha class GSTs will be involved in susceptibility to diseases with an environmental component (such as cancer, asthma, and cardiovascular disease) and in response to chemotherapy. Although hGSTM1, hGSTT1, and hGSTP1 have been associated with such diseases (on the basis of genetic polymorphisms as indicators of expression), alpha class GSTs have been little studied in this respect. Nevertheless, hGSTA1*B has been associated with increased susceptibility to colorectal cancer and with increased efficacy of chemotherapy for breast cancer. Methods for identification and quantitation of human alpha class GST protein, mRNA, and genotype are reviewed, and the potential for GST-alpha in plasma to be used as a marker for hepatic expression and induction is discussed.

Animals↗

Common genetic polymorphisms in the 5'-flanking region of the SULT1A1 gene: haplotypes and their association with platelet enzymatic activity.

SULT1A1 is a phase II detoxification enzyme involved in the biotransformation of a wide variety of endogenous and exogenous phenolic compounds. Human platelet SULT1A1 enzymatic activity shows marked inter-individual variability and a common coding polymorphism, SULT1A1*1/*2, has been described that accounts for a proportion of this variability. We examined the 5'-flanking region of the SULT1A1 gene to determine if genetic variability in this portion of the gene influenced enzymatic activity. Direct sequencing revealed five common genetic polymorphisms (-624G>C, -396G>A, -358A>C, -341C>G and -294T>C) that were present at different allele frequencies in Caucasian, African-American and Chinese groups. Platelet SULT1A1 enzymatic activity was significantly correlated with individual promoter region polymorphisms and the associations were different between African-Americans and Caucasians. Haplotypes were constructed and platelet enzymatic activity according to haplotype was examined. The haplotypes were also significantly correlated with activity; haplotypes GAACT and GGACT (accounting for 13% and 5% of inter-individual variability in platelet activity, respectively) were important in Caucasians while haplotypes GAACC, GAACT and GGACC (accounting for 8%, 5% and 4% of variability) were significantly associated with activity in African-Americans. The coding region polymorphism, SULT1A1*1/*2 was in linkage disequilibrium with the promoter region polymorphisms and showed no effect on activity when examined in the context of the 5'-flanking region polymorphisms. These studies indicate that variation in the promoter region of the SULT1A1 gene exerts a significant influence on enzymatic activity.

5' Flanking Region↗

Dietary intake of heterocyclic amines and benzo(a)pyrene: associations with pancreatic cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Heterocyclic amines (HCA) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, formed in temperature- and time-dependent manners during the cooking of meat, are mutagens and carcinogens. We sought to assess the association between dietary intake of HCA and benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P] and exocrine pancreatic cancer in a population-based case-control study. METHODS: Subjects (193 cases and 674 controls) provided information on their usual meat intake and preparation method, e.g., stewed, fried, or grilled/barbecued, etc. Meat doneness preferences were measured using photographs that showed internal doneness and external brownness. We used a meat-derived HCA, B(a)P, and mutagen database with a questionnaire to estimate intake of PhIP, DiMeIQx, MeIQx, B(a)P, and mutagenic activity (revertants/g of daily meat intake). Data were analyzed with unconditional logistic regression. RESULTS: In analyses adjusted for age, sex, smoking, education, race, and diabetes, the odds ratio and 95% confidence interval for the highest compared with the lowest quintile were as follows: PhIP, 1.8 (1.0-3.1); DiMeIQx, 2.0 (1.2-3.5); MeIQx, 1.5 (0.9-2.7); B(a)P, 2.2 (1.2-4.0); and mutagenic activity, 2.4 (1.3-4.3). CONCLUSIONS: HCAs and B(a)P from well-done barbecued and pan-fried meats may be associated with increased risk for pancreatic cancer.

Aged↗

CYP3A43 Pro(340)Ala polymorphism and prostate cancer risk in African Americans and Caucasians.

The human cytochrome P450 3A subfamily of enzymes is involved in the metabolism of steroid hormones, carcinogens, and many drugs. A cytosine-to-guanine polymorphism in CYP3A43 results in a proline-to-alanine substitution at codon 340. Although the functional significance of this polymorphism is unknown, we postulate that the substitution of proline, an alpha-imino acid, with alanine, an amino acid, could be of biochemical significance. In a case-control study with 490 incident prostate cancer cases (124 African Americans and 358 Caucasians) and 494 controls (167 African Americans and 319 Caucasians), we examined the association between CYP3A43 Pro(340)Ala polymorphism and prostate cancer risk. When all subjects were considered, there was a 3-fold increase in risk of prostate cancer among individuals with the CYP3A43-Ala/Ala genotype (odds ratio, 3.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-7.2) compared with those with the CYP3A43-Pro/Pro genotype after adjusting for age, race, and smoking. The prevalence of the polymorphism was significantly higher in African Americans than Caucasians (45% versus 13%). In African Americans, there was a 2.6-fold increase in prostate cancer risk among individuals with the CYP3A43-Ala/Ala genotype (odds ratio, 2.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.0-7.0) compared with those with the CYP3A43-Pro/Pro genotype. Among Caucasians, the small number of homozygotes precluded computing risk estimates; there were only three individuals with the CYP3A43-Ala/Ala genotype. Our results suggest that the CYP3A43-Pro(340)Ala polymorphism contributes to prostate cancer risk.

Adult↗

A modified host cell reactivation assay to measure DNA repair capacity for removing 4-aminobiphenyl adducts: a pilot study of bladder cancer.

As DNA repair plays an important role in genetic susceptibility to bladder cancer, assessment of the DNA repair phenotype is critical for the molecular epidemiology of bladder cancer. In this study, we developed and applied an assay using the luciferase (luc) reporter gene in a host-cell reactivation assay to measure DNA repair capacity for DNA damage induced by 4-aminobiphenyl (4-ABP), a well-studied aromatic amine and a known bladder carcinogen. We observed a dose-response relationship for 4-ABP dosage and DNA repair capacity (luc activity). We then applied this assay to measure DNA repair capacity in a pilot study of 89 pairs of bladder cancer patients and healthy controls matched by age, gender, and ethnicity, and we found that DNA repair capacity was significantly lower in cases than in controls (13.0% versus 14.4%; P = 0.006). Poor DNA repair capacity was associated with 3.42-fold increased bladder cancer risk. Further analysis revealed that intermediate and low levels of DNA repair capacity increased bladder cancer risk to 3.43-fold and 4.97-fold, respectively, compared with individuals with the most efficient DNA repair capacity. Moreover, ever smokers with suboptimal DNA repair capacity exhibited a 6.06-fold increased risk compared with never smokers with normal DNA repair capacity. In conclusion, our results support the hypothesis that deficient DNA repair capacity for 4-ABP induced DNA damage and increases bladder cancer risk. Our assay provides a new tool to specifically quantify DNA repair capacity in bladder cancer studies and, therefore, contributes to our goal of further elucidating bladder carcinogenesis.

Adult↗

Examination of human tissue cytosols for expression of sulfotransferase isoform 1A2 (SULT1A2) using a SULT1A2-specific antibody.

Sulfotransferase isoform 1A2 (SULT1A2) is a member of the cytosolic sulfotransferase family of phase II detoxification enzymes. Studies with recombinant enzymes have shown that SULT1A2 can catalyze the bioactivation of several procarcinogens, indicating a potential role in chemical carcinogenesis. However, previous studies have suggested that the SULT1A2 transcript has a splicing defect that might prevent it from becoming translated into protein; therefore, we sought to determine the expression of SULT1A2 in tissues. An antibody directed against a region of human SULT1A2 that differs from other known sulfotransferase isoforms was developed and used to screen a large number of cytosolic fractions from various tissues. Although the SULT1A2 antibody recognized recombinant SULT1A2 and did not cross-react with other SULT isoforms, the expression of SULT1A2 was not detected in any tissue examined. These studies suggest that if SULT1A2 is expressed as protein, the levels are very low and that SULT1A2 probably does not play a physiological role in chemical carcinogenesis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Potential chemoprotective effects of the coffee components kahweol and cafestol palmitates via modification of hepatic N-acetyltransferase and glutathione S-transferase activities.

Coffee drinking has been associated with reduced incidence of colorectal cancer, possibly via chemoprotection/modification of the metabolism of dietary heterocyclic amine carcinogens such as 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) by kahweol and cafestol palmitates (K/C), two components of unfiltered coffee. Using the PhIP-exposed male Fisher F344 rat as a model, K/C have been shown to reduce colonic PhIP-DNA adducts by > 50%. We have used the male F344 rat to investigate the effects of dietary K/C (0.02-0.2% as a 1:1 mixture) on the metabolism of PhIP by N-acetyltransferase- (NAT), sulfotransferase- (SULT), and glutathione-dependent pathways. K/C decreased hepatic NAT-dependent PhIP activation by up to 80% in a dose-dependent manner. Conversely, hepatic glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity/expression increased, e.g., 3-4 fold toward 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (total activity), up to 23-fold toward 4-vinylpyridine (rGSTP1), and approximately 7-fold for rGSTA2 protein. These effects had fully developed after 5 days of the test diet and persisted for at least 5 days after withdrawal of K/C. Hepatic glutathione increased two- to threefold and this increase was more short-lived than other changes. K/C did not modify hepatic SULT activity or colon NAT and GST activities. Benzylisothiocyanate and black tea, which have also been shown to reduce the formation of PhIP-DNA adducts in this model, had little effect on hepatic NAT, SULT, GST, or GSH. In primary culture of rat hepatocytes, both kahweol and cafestol palmitates reduced NAT activity by 80%. In summary, the unique potential of K/C to convert rapid acetylators to a slow acetylator phenotype, accompanied by GST induction, might contribute to chemoprevention against cancers associated with heterocyclic amines.

Acetyltransferases↗

Lack of association between Caucasian lung cancer risk and O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase-codon 178 genetic polymorphism.

The formation of DNA adducts is thought to be a critical step for the induction of chemically induced cancer. O(6)-Methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) is a ubiquitously expressed enzyme that repairs DNA adducts formed by alkylating carcinogens. Thus, genetic polymorphisms of the MGMT that could result in differences in MGMT activity are potential risk factors for cancer. In the present study, we established a convenient and reliable genotyping method for the MGMT codon 178 polymorphism, a Lys (AAG) to Arg (AGG) substitution, using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), and studied differences in the distribution of this polymorphism in 92 Caucasian lung cancer patients and 85 controls. Frequencies of the "A" and "G" alleles (MGMT codon 178, AAG and AGG, respectively) were 0.91 and 0.09, respectively. The genetic polymorphism of the MGMT codon 178 was linked with that of the MGMT codon 143 (P < 0.05). The distribution of the MGMT codon 178 genetic polymorphism was not significantly different between lung cancer patients and controls. Thus, our study suggests that the MGMT codon 178 (and possibly 143) polymorphisms do not appear to markedly affect lung cancer risk for this population. In addition, we found an apparent 10bp-deletion in the intron before exon 5 by DNA sequencing. Because this "deletion" was observed in all sequenced samples (N = 20), the previously reported human (Caucasian) MGMT gene sequence should be revised to exclude this 10bp segment.

Codon↗