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H C Box

Publications and source records attributed to H C Box.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Dihydrothymine lesion in X-irradiated DNA: characterization at the molecular level and detection in cells.

PURPOSE: To study the formation of the dihydrothymine lesion produced in DNA by ionizing radiation in an anaerobic environment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The dihydrothymine lesion, along with other lesions, was isolated from an X-irradiated aqueous solution of the dinucleoside monophosphate d(TpA) and analysed by correlated two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The dihydrothymine lesion was obtained by enzymatic digestion of irradiated DNA in the form of modified dinucleoside monophosphates, d(T(d)A), where T(d) stands for dihydrothymidine. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to detect the lesion in the DNA of X-irradiated mouse fibroblast cells. RESULTS: The modified dinucleoside monophosphate, d(T(d)pA), fragments by two pathways so that altogether the lesion could be detected using two different sets of tandem mass spectrometry (precursor ion mass/daughter ion mass) values. CONCLUSION: The dihydrothymine lesion is a significant lesion in cells exposed to ionizing radiation in an anaerobic environment.

Animals↗

Free radical-induced double lesions in DNA.

This review surveys the work that has been done on free radical-induced DNA double lesions. Double lesions consist of two modifications of the DNA in close proximity. Double lesions can be generated by a single free radical-initiating event and the mechanism of formation often involves the participation of guanine. The identification of double lesions in oligomer and polymer DNA is reviewed and possible mechanisms of formation are outlined. The potential biological significance of double lesions is discussed. Double lesions induced by UV light are outside the scope of this review.

Animals↗

Double lesions are produced in DNA oligomer by ionizing radiation and by metal-catalyzed H2O2 reactions.

It was demonstrated previously that double lesions are produced in DNA by ionizing radiation. These double lesions consist of adjacent nucleotides each bearing a modified base. The goal of the present investigation was to determine whether Fenton chemistry can generate the same kind of lesions. DNA oligomers were exposed to metal-catalyzed H(2)O(2) reactions, and the products were characterized by chromatography and by mass spectrometry. Double lesions are produced by this treatment in which deoxyguanosine is oxidized to 8-oxo-7,8-dihydrodeoxyguanosine and an adjacent pyrimidine nucleoside is degraded to a formamido remnant.

8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine↗

A novel double lesion in X-irradiated DNA consists of a strand break and a base modification.

A single free radical-initiating event can produce a pair of base lesions in DNA oligomers exposed to ionizing radiation. Whereas double base lesions have been observed previously, the present study shows that double lesions may sometimes consist of a base lesion and an associated strand break. The mechanism for the formation of double lesions is discussed. A redox process is postulated in which guanine is the source of the electron. It is suggested that double lesions may be formed in DNA either on adjacent nucleotides or, alternatively, on nucleotides separated by one, two or possibly more intervening nucleotides. It is hypothesized that intramolecular electron transfer facilitates the formation of double lesions on nonadjacent nucleotides.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

Double-base lesions are produced in DNA by free radicals.

Evidence has been accumulating at the oligomer level that free radical-initiated DNA damage includes lesions in which two adjacent bases are both modified. Prominent examples are lesions in which a pyrimidine base is degraded to a formamido remnant and an adjacent guanine base is oxidized. An assay has been devised to detect double-base lesions based on the fact that the phosphoester bond 3' to a nuclesoside bearing the formamido lesion is resistant to hydrolysis by nuclease P1. The residual modified dinucleoside monophosphates obtained from a nuclease P1 (plus acid phosphatase) digest of DNA can be (32)P-postlabeled using T4 polynucleotide kinase. Using this assay the formamido single lesion and the formamido-8-oxoguanine double lesion were detected in calf thymus DNA after X-irradiation in oxygenated aqueous solution. The lesions were measured in the forms d(P(F)pG) and d(P(F)pG(H)), where P(F) stands for a pyrimidine nucleoside having the base degraded to a formamido remnant and G(H) stands for 8-oxo-deoxyguanosine. The yields in calf thymus DNA irradiated 60 Gy were 8.6 and 3.2 pmol/microgram DNA, respectively.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Double base lesions in DNA X-irradiated in the presence or absence of oxygen.

Previously, double lesions in which two adjacent bases are modified were identified in DNA oligomers exposed in solution to ionizing radiation. However, the formation of such lesions in polymer DNA had not been demonstrated. Using reference oligomer containing a specific double lesion and employing liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), it was possible to show directly that double lesions are formed in irradiated calf thymus DNA. The double lesion in which a pyrimidine base is degraded to a formamido remnant and an adjacent guanine base is oxidized to 8-oxoguanine was detected in DNA X-irradiated in oxygenated aqueous solution. The double lesion in which the methyl carbon atom of a thymine base is covalently linked to carbon at the 8-position of an adjacent guanine base was detected in DNA irradiated in a deoxygenated environment.

Animals↗

Assay for reactive oxygen species-induced DNA damage: measurement of the formamido and thymine glycol lesions.

A 32P-postlabeling assay has been developed for the simultaneous detection of the thymine glycol lesion and the formamido remnant of pyrimidine bases in DNA exposed to reactive oxygen species (ROS). The formamido lesion is a principal lesion produced in X-irradiated DNA oligomers when oxygen is available to mediate the damage process. Production of the well-known thymine glycol lesion is less dependent on the concentration of oxygen. These two lesions have the common property that they make the phosphoester bond 3' to the modified nucleoside resistant to hydrolysis by nuclease P1. Our assay uses 32P-postlabeling to measure these lesions in the form of modified dimers obtained from DNA by nuclease P1 digestion. Appropriate carriers and internal standards have been chemically synthesized to improve the reliability and accuracy of the assay. The measurements were accomplished on 1-microgram samples of DNA.

Acid Phosphatase↗

An overall perspective of X-ray damage to a DNA oligomer mediated by reactive oxygen species.

The products produced by X irradiation of an oxygenated aqueous solution containing d(CpApTpG) were analyzed by NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Thirteen different base modifications were detected, including a novel product formed by the addition of oxygen to guanine. Seven different strand break products were identified, including strands having 5'-phosphoryl groups, 3'-phosphoryl groups and groups having 3'-phosphoglycolates as termini. The products produced in largest yield contained base modifications: Pyrimidine bases degraded to a formamido moiety, the 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine (8-oxoguanine) lesion, and double base lesions in which both the 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine lesion and a formamido remnant are present.

DNA↗

Induction of reactive oxygen species without 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine formation in DNA of initiated mouse keratinocytes treated with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate.

Evidence for the involvement of oxidative stress in 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-mediated tumor promotion has focused on non-initiated immune cells, tumor cell lines and non-initiated epidermis treated in vivo. This paper reports the effects of TPA on 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8OHdG) formation and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cloned initiated mouse epidermal keratinocytes in order to determine whether TPA can directly damage DNA through ROS production within the keratinocytes. Using high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC-EC), TPA did not induce 8OHdG formation in DNA of initiated keratinocytes treated under a variety of conditions. The reliability of the HPLC-EC system is demonstrated by (i) the linearity of the 8OHdG standard curve; (ii) the consistency of 8OHdG measurements in calf thymus and cellular DNA; and (iii) the dose-dependent increase in 8OHdG in DNA of initiated keratinocytes treated with UVC in the presence and absence of H2O2. Though not DNA-damaging, TPA induced a 65% increase in ROS (P < 0.05) as detected by luminol-dependent chemiluminescence. These results support a mechanism for the role of oxidative stress in tumor promotion that does not involve direct DNA damage to the keratinocyte target cell. The relationship between ROS, signal transduction and tumor promotion is discussed in light of the above results which is consistent with the role of TPA-induced ROS as second messengers in signal transduction.

8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine↗

Tandem lesions and other products in X-irradiated DNA oligomers.

Free radicals interact with DNA bases to produce secondary radicals. The secondary radicals are reactive species and tend to interact with neighboring bases, resulting in DNA lesions with two adjacent modified bases. In this study the DNA oligomers d(CpApTpG) and d(CpGpTpA) were exposed to free radicals generated in anoxic aqueous solution by X irradiation. Four new lesions were identified in which adjacent guanine and pyrimidine bases are covalently bonded. One of the tandem lesions formed in d(CpGpTpA) has the C5 carbon atom of cytosine covalently bonded to the C8 carbon atom of guanine. Interestingly, the same bond is formed between the terminal bases in d(CpApTpG), resulting in a cyclized molecule.

Biopolymers↗

Selective hydrolysis of damaged DNA by nuclease P1.

The turnover rates for hydrolysis by nuclease P1 of the 16 unmodified dideoxynucleoside monophosphates were measured. In addition, the turnover rates were measured in a variety of dideoxynucleoside monophosphates containing free radical-induced base modifications. The modified bases included cis-5,6-dihydroxy-5,6-dihydrothymine (thymine glycol), 5,6-dihydrothymine, 5-hydroxymethyuracil, 8-hydroxyguanine, 5-hydroxy-5-methylhydantoin and the formamido remnant which can be derived from either a thymine or a cytosine base. The turnover rate for dinucleoside monophosphates containing 4,8-dihydro-4-hydroxy-8-oxo-guanine modifications, which are induced by singlet oxygen, were also measured. A model was devised for the hydrolysis of DNA by nuclease P1 which uses the observed turnover rates as parameters. The model predicts the abundance of monomers and dimers as hydrolysis proceeds. Whereas the level of monomers increases monotonically, the level of each dimer first increases and then falls off. There are advantages to phosphorylating dimers, as compared with monomers, using polynucleotide kinase. Consequently this model may be of interest in connection with 2-P-postlabeling applied to the measurement of DNA damage in nuclease P1 partial hydrolysates of DNA.

DNA Damage↗

Free radical-induced tandem base damage in DNA oligomers.

A new tandem base lesion has been identified in two DNA oligomers, namely d(GpT) and d(CpGpTpA), exposed to X-irradiation in deoxygenated aqueous solution. In this lesion the C6 carbon atom of thymine is hydroxylated and a covalent link is formed between the C5 carbon atom of thymine and the C8 carbon atom of the adjacent guanine base. In addition, further evidence in the form of mass spectrometric data is presented confirming the structures of previously reported tandem base lesions that are produced by ionizing radiation in the presence of oxygen. New data is presented on the prevalence of a previously reported tandem base lesion in which the methyl carbon atom of thymine is covalently linked to the C8 carbon atom of the adjacent guanine base. The free radical-initiated processes by which tandem base damages are generated are discussed. To date four different radiation-induced tandem base lesion have been identified. The evidence suggests that tandem base damage is a significant component of free radical-induced DNA damage.

DNA Damage↗

Isolation and characterization of the products of anoxic irradiation of d(CpGpTpA).

An improved method for separating the products of DNA oligomers irradiated in aqueous solution has been devised. Altogether 39 products were isolated from the tetramer d(CpGpTpA) X-irradiated in dilute anoxic solution. Of these, 16, including most of the major products, were identified through the use of proton nmr spectroscopy. The identified products fall into four categories: (1) base products, (2) strand scission products, (3) base modifications and (4) tandem lesion. A tandem lesion in which the methyl carbon atom of thymine is covalently linked to the guanine C8 carbon atom was produced in larger yield than any of the simple base modifications.

DNA Fragmentation↗

Radiation-induced formation of a crosslink between base moieties of deoxyguanosine and thymidine in deoxygenated solutions of d(CpGpTpA).

A new type of tandem base lesion has been observed in d(CpGpTpA) X-irradiated in aqueous solution. The lesion is attributed to the formation of a covalent bond between the C8 carbon atom of guanine and the methyl carbon atom of thymine. This tandem base lesion is formed in the absence of oxygen. It is the main product produced by ionizing radiation under these conditions.

Acid Phosphatase↗

Radiation chemistry of d(ApCpGpT).

The radiation chemistry of the DNA tetranucleoside triphosphate d(ApCpGpT) was investigated. Irradiations were carried out on aqueous solutions saturated with oxygen (with and without added Cu++), nitrogen or nitrous oxide. When oxygen was present, principal products were formed by hydroxylation at the 8-position of guanine and by degradation of thymine leaving a formamido remnant. Products were also formed containing both of the aforementioned lesions at adjacent deoxyguanosine and pyrimidine nucleosides. Other products resulted from rearrangement of the thymine ring generating two diastereoisomers of the 5-methyl-5-hydroxyhydantoin modification of d(ApCpGpT). Rearrangement of the cytosine ring occurred generating imidazolidine products and a hydantoin product. The product profiles are similar when either an N2O or N2 gaseous environment is maintained. However, in the latter case the dihydrothymine modifications of d(ApCpGpT) are markedly enhanced. Other products include an 8,5' cyclized product formed from the 2'-deoxyadenosine nucleoside and the 8-hydroxyguanine modification. 6-Hydroxy-5,6-dihydrothymine and 5,6-dihydroxy-5,6-dihydrothymine modifications of the thymidine nucleoside were also observed. A strand break product formed in oxygenated solution is also produced in nitrous oxide saturated solutions. Scission of the deoxyadenosine terminus was also observed. The effect of several of these lesions on d(ApCpGpT) as substrate for nuclease P1, bovine spleen phosphodiesterase and snake venom phosphodiesterase was studied.

Oligodeoxyribonucleotides↗

DNA damage in UVB-irradiated keratinocytes.

A DNA lesion which results from the breakdown of a pyrimidine base leaving a formamido remnant has been associated with oxidative stress. This lesion is shown to be produced in keratinocytes irradiated in culture with UVB light. The amount of formamido lesion produced is comparable to the amount of the 8-hydroxyguanine lesion. The two lesions were measured by 32P-postlabeling and electrochemical detection methods respectively.

Animals↗

The radiation chemistry of d(CpGpTpA) in the presence of oxygen.

This report extends our investigation of double base lesions produced by irradiation of DNA model compounds. Studies of d(CpGpTpA) X-irradiated in oxygenated aqueous solution show that two of the five principal products are oligomers having adjacent bases damaged. In these oligomers guanine is hydroxylated at the 8-position and an adjacent pyrimidine is degraded to a formamido remnant.

DNA Damage↗