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K Alexandrov

Publications and source records attributed to K Alexandrov.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Moderate discrimination of REP-1 between Rab7 x GDP and Rab7 x GTP arises from a difference of an order of magnitude in dissociation rates.

The kinetics of the interaction of Rab7 with REP-1 have been investigated using the fluorescence of GDP and GTP analogs at the active site of Rab7. The results show that REP-1 has higher affinity for the GDP bound form of Rab7 (Kd=1 nM) than for the GTP bound form (Kd=20 nM). Both affinities should still be sufficient for the formation of stable complexes in the cell. The association reaction proceeds in two steps for the GDP bound form. The initial step is fast (k+1 = ca. 10[7] M[-1] s[-1]) and concentration dependent while the second represents a slow equilibration (k+2 + k-2 = 3.5 s[-1]) which has little effect on the overall equilibrium. The difference in affinity of the two nucleotide bound forms arises from a difference in dissociation rates (0.012 s[-1] for Rab7 x GDP and 0.2 s[-1] for Rab7 x GTP).

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗
PubMed1998

Impact of adduct determination on the assessment of cancer susceptibility.

The characterization of genetic determinants for cancer susceptibility is important for understanding disease pathogenesis and for preventive measures. There is growing evidence that a group of predisposing polymorphic genes exists, such as those involved in carcinogen metabolism and repair, which may increase cancer in certain environmentally exposed subjects, even those exposed only to low levels of carcinogens. In developing preventive strategies, it is therefore necessary to identify these vulnerable members in our society, particularly those suffering from an unfortunate combination of high carcinogen exposure, cancer-predisposing genes and lack of protective (dietary) factors. Thus, molecular epidemiology faces the difficult task of analyzing carcinogen-exposed individuals for a combination of genotypes associated with cancer susceptibility. Once identified, combinations of cancer-predisposing genes can then be used as intermediate risk markers rather than taking cancer as an endpoint. In case-control studies, simultaneous measurements were carried out in each subject to determine exposure/early effect markers, e.g. polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH)-DNA adducts, and susceptibility markers, e.g. genetic polymorphism, in drug-metabolizing enzymes related to cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) and glutathione S-transferase (GSTM1) genes. The genotype dependence of human lung (+)-anti-benzo[a]pyrene diol-epoxide (BPDE)-DNA adducts in lung cancer patients was examined. BPDE-DNA adduct levels in bronchial tissue of smokers with high pulmonary CYP1A1 inducibility (by immunohistochemistry) and GSTM1 inactive were approximately 100-fold higher than in subjects with an active GSTM1 at similar smoking dose. Further genetic analyses confirmed that the combination of CYP1A1 homozygous mutants and GSTM1 inactive leads to high levels of BPDE-DNA adducts in human lung of smokers and white blood cells of PAH-exposed coke oven workers. Thus, BPDE-DNA adduct levels resulting from the "at risk" genotype combinations may serve as markers to identify high-risk subjects among smokers and individuals occupationally and/or environmentally exposed to PAH.

7,8-Dihydro-7,8-dihydroxybenzo(a)pyrene 9,10-oxide↗
PubMed1998

Inhibition of endosome fusion by wortmannin persists in the presence of activated Rab5.

Rab5-dependent endosome fusion is sensitive to the phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitor, wortmannin. It has been proposed that phosphoinositide 3-kinase activity may be required for activation of rab5 by influencing its nucleotide cycle such as to promote its active GTP state. In this report we demonstrate that endosome fusion remains sensitive to wortmannin despite preloading of endosomes with stimulatory levels of a GTPase-defective mutant rab5(Q79L) or of a xanthosine triphosphate-binding mutant, rab5(D136N), in the presence of the nonhydrolysable analogue XTPgammaS. These results suggest that activation of rab5 cannot be the principal function of the wortmannin-sensitive factor on the endosome fusion pathway. This result is extrapolated to all GTPases by demonstrating that endosome fusion remains wortmannin sensitive despite prior incubation with the nonhydrolysable nucleotide analogue GTPgammaS. Consistent with these results, direct measurement of clathrin-coated vesicle-stimulated nucleotide dissociation from exogenous rab5 was insensitive to the presence of wortmannin. A large excess of rab5(Q79L), beyond levels required for maximal stimulation of the fusion assay, afforded protection against wortmannin inhibition, and partial protection was also observed with an excess of wild-type rab5 independent of GTPgammaS.

Alkyl and Aryl Transferases↗
PubMed1998

High benzo[a]pyrene diol-epoxide DNA adduct levels in lung and blood cells from individuals with combined CYP1A1 MspI/Msp-GSTM1*0/*0 genotypes.

Levels of anti-benzo[a]pyrene diol-epoxide DNA adducts were analysed by high-pressure liquid chromatography/fluorimetric detection in non-tumorous lung tissues from 20 lung cancer patients and in white blood cells from 20 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposed coke oven workers. All were current tobacco smokers. CYP1A1 mutations (MspI at 6235 nt, Ile-Val462) and GSTM1 deletion polymorphisms in each individual were analysed in genomic DNA by PCR/restriction fragment length polymorphism. Independently of the CYP1A1 genotype (1) all 23 samples in the two groups with non-detectable adducts (< 0.2 per 10(8) nt) were of GSTM1 active genotype; (2) the 17 samples with detectable adducts (> or = 0.2 per 10(8) nt) in the two groups were GSTM1*0/*0. The difference in adduct levels between GSTM1*0/*0 and GSTM1 active genotype was highly significant (p < 0.00005). Among GSTM1-deficient individuals (n = 17), a subgroup of 14 individuals with CYP1A1*1/*1 (wild-type, n = 7) or heterozygous genotype (*1/*2A or *1/*2B, n = 7) showed low levels of BPDE DNA-adducts (range: 0.2-1.3 per 10(8) nt). (3) Three individuals with the rare combination CYP1A1*2A/*2A or *2A/*B and GSTM1*0/*0 showed significantly higher adduct levels (median: 17.4 adducts/10(8) nt, range 1.9-44; p = 0.017). Therefore, combination of homozygous mutated CYP1A1 and GSTM1*0/*0 genotypes lead, at a similar or even lower smoking dose, to a stronger increase of anti-benzo[a]pyrene diol-epoxide DNA adduct levels than found in individuals with CYP1A1 and GSTM1 wild-type. These data provide a mechanistic understanding of epidemiological studies that correlated these 'at risk' genotypes with increased smoking-related lung cancers.

7,8-Dihydro-7,8-dihydroxybenzo(a)pyrene 9,10-oxide↗
PubMed1996

GTPase activity of Rab5 acts as a timer for endocytic membrane fusion.

The GTPase cycle is a versatile regulatory mechanism directing many cell functions, and Rab family members use it to regulate intracellular transport. Current models propose that GTP hydrolysis by Rab proteins is either required for membrane fusion or occurs afterwards to allow recycling of the protein. To measure the GTPase activity of Rab5 in endocytic membrane fusion, we engineered a mutant that preferentially binds xanthosine 5'-triphosphate (XTP),Rab5(D136N) and monitored the kinetics of [alpha(32)P]-XTP hydrolysis in situ during endosome fusion in vitro. Surprisingly, nucleotide hydrolysis occurred even in the absence of membrane fusion, indicating that membrane-bound Rab5 undergoes futile cycles of GTP(XTP) binding and hydrolysis. Nucleotide triphosphate hydrolysis by Rab5 is not conditional on membrane fusion and is reduced by its effector Rabaptin-5. Our data reveal that the GTP cycle of Rab proteins differs from that of other GTPases (for example, EF-Tu) and indicate that GTP hydrolysis acts as a timer that determines the frequency of membrane docking/fusion events.

ADP-Ribosylation Factors↗
PubMed1996

Evidence of anti-benzo[a]pyrene diolepoxide-DNA adduct formation in human colon mucosa.

As risk factors for colorectal cancer include consumption of foods potentially contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), the level of (+)-r-7,t-8-dihydroxy-t-9,10-oxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene [(+)-anti-BPDE] bound to DNA of human colon mucosa samples was quantified by a sensitive and specific HPLC/fluorescence method (Alexandrov et al., Cancer Res. 51, 6248-6253, 1992). (+)-anti-BPDE-DNA adducts were detected in four out of seven colon mucosa samples but not in any of 11 human pancreas samples from smokers and non-smokers. Adduct levels in human colon varied between 0.2 and 1.0 (+)-anti-BPDE-DNA adducts/10(8) nucleotides. Our results provide evidence that: (i) the DNA in human colon cells can be damaged by benzo[a]pyrene, possibly derived from diet and/or tobacco smoke; (ii) DNA adduct formation in human colon epithelium proceeds via the diol epoxide pathway; (iii) benzo[a]pyrene and other PAHs could play a role in the etiology of human colorectal cancer.

7,8-Dihydro-7,8-dihydroxybenzo(a)pyrene 9,10-oxide↗
PubMed1995

Anti-benzo[a]pyrene diolepoxide--DNA adduct levels in peripheral mononuclear cells from coke oven workers and the enhancing effect of smoking.

The level of (+/-)-r-7,t-8-dihydroxy-t-9,10-oxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene (anti-BPDE) bound to DNA of lymphocytes plus monocytes in 39 coke oven workers exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and 39 non-exposed persons (controls) were investigated, each of the groups consisting of smokers and non-smokers. The adduct level was measured by an improved HPLC/fluorescence method (Rojas, M., Alexandrov, K., van Schooten, F. J., Hillebrand, M., Kriek, E. and Bartsch, H., Carcinogenesis, 15, 557-560, 1994) through the release of the corresponding benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) tetrols. The anti-BPDE-DNA adduct was detected in 51% of coke oven workers exposed to PAH and in 18% of the non-exposed (control) subjects. The mean level of anti-BPDE-DNA adducts/10(8) nucleotides in coke oven workers (15.7 +/- 37.8) was approximately 8 times higher than in non-exposed subjects (2.0 +/- 8.7). The interindividual variation of adduct levels was approximately 100-fold in coke oven workers and approximately 50-fold in controls respectively. Smokers in the exposed group had 3.5 times more DNA adducts than non-smokers. With the exception of one non-smoker with very high adduct levels (52.8 adducts/10(8)), the control subjects showed the presence of barely detectable adducts in only 16% of the samples examined. The increased in vivo formation in some smokers and high variability of anti-BPDE-DNA adducts in coke oven workers suggests variations in genetically controlled activation/inactivation reactions of PAH metabolism.

7,8-Dihydro-7,8-dihydroxybenzo(a)pyrene 9,10-oxide↗
PubMed1995

Metabolic polymorphism affecting DNA binding and excretion of carcinogens in humans.

A case-control study on lung cancer patients demonstrated the pronounced effect of tobacco smoke on pulmonary carcinogen metabolism and suggested the existence of a metabolic phenotype at higher risk for tobacco-associated lung cancer. Lung cancer patients who were recent smokers showed in their lungs (i) significantly induced CYP1A1-related enzyme activity vs smoking non-lung cancer patients; (ii) increased benzo(a)pyrene (BP) tetrol formation from BP 7,8-diol by lung microsomes; and (iii) high levels of cytochrome P4501a1 by immunohistochemical staining. Levels of bulky aromatic DNA adducts (by 32P-postlabelling) and of BP-diol-epoxide (BPDE) adducts (by HPC/fluorometry) were quantified in lung parenchyma. Aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity and the level of BPDE-DNA adducts (r = 0.91; p < 0.001) and to a lesser degree bulky DNA adducts were correlated. Thus pulmonary CYP1A1 expression (inducibility) controls in part polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-DNA adduct formation in tobacco smokers and, therefore, appears to be associated with lung cancer risk. High risk subjects for lung cancer among smokers may be identifiable through genotyping for polymorphic drug metabolizing enzymes in combination with molecular dosimetry of carcinogen-DNA adducts and mutation analysis in target (surrogate) cells. Such studies in a Finnish cohort of lung cancer patients and controls are in progress. Interim results of the effect of metabolic polymorphism on the level of PAH-DNA adducts and on the excretion of mutagens in urine are summarized.

Biotransformation↗
PubMed1995

Cancer biomarkers in human atherosclerotic lesions: detection of DNA adducts.

Since somatic mutations are suspected to contribute to the pathogenesis not only of cancer but also of atherosclerotic plaques, we measured DNA adducts in the smooth muscle layer of atherosclerotic lesions in abdominal aorta specimens taken at surgery from seven patients. DNA adducts were evaluated in three laboratories by means of different molecular dosimetry methods, including: (a) HPLC/fluorescence, which specifically identifies the DNA adducts of the anti-benzo(a)pyrene (BPDE) isomer; (b) two- and three-dimensional synchronous fluorescence spectrophotometries, which detect DNA adducts of BPDE and other reactive metabolites of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; and (c) 32P postlabeling, which reveals the presence of a variety of types of DNA adducts. The HPLC/fluorescence method provided for the first time evidence for the presence of BPDE-DNA specific adducts in three of six specimens tested. Synchronous fluorescence spectrophotometry displayed broad areas of fluorescence in all seven specimens, thereby suggesting the occurrence not only of BDPE-DNA but also of other DNA adducts with similar fluorescence characteristics. All specimens were also positive at 32P postlabeling, which revealed multiple spots detectable following enrichment either with nuclease P1 or butanol, indicative of the presence of different aromatic DNA adducts. Thus, the data obtained by applying typical cancer biomarkers provide further support to the hypothesis that there may be similarities between the carcinogenic and the atherogenic processes, and in particular that genetic alterations caused by DNA-binding agents in the artery wall may be detected in atherosclerotic lesions.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Rab escort protein-1 is a multifunctional protein that accompanies newly prenylated rab proteins to their target membranes.

Rab proteins comprise a family of small GTPases that serve a regulatory role in vesicular membrane traffic. Geranylgeranylation of these proteins on C-terminal cysteine motifs is crucial for their membrane association and function. This post-translational modification is catalysed by rab geranylgeranyl transferase (Rab-GGTase), a multisubunit enzyme consisting of a catalytic heterodimer and an accessory component, named rab escort protein (REP)-1. Previous in vitro studies have suggested that REP-1 presents newly synthesized rab proteins to the catalytic component of the enzyme, and forms a stable complex with the prenylated proteins following the transfer reaction. According to this model, a cellular factor would be required to dissociate the rab protein from REP-1 and to allow it to recycle in the prenylation reaction. RabGDP dissociation inhibitor (RabGDI) was considered an ideal candidate for this role, given its established function in mediating membrane association of prenylated rab proteins. Here we demonstrate that dissociation from REP-1 and binding of rab proteins to the membrane do not require RabGDI or other cytosolic factors. The mechanism of REP-1-mediated membrane association of rab5 appears to be very similar to that mediated by RabGDI. Furthermore, REP-1 and RabGDI share several other functional properties, the ability to inhibit the release of GDP and to remove rab proteins from membranes; however, RabGDI cannot assist in the prenylation reaction. These data suggest that REP-1 is per se sufficient to chaperone newly prenylated rab proteins to their target membranes.

Alkyl and Aryl Transferases↗
PubMed1994

Mapping of Ras-related GTP-binding proteins by GTP overlay following two-dimensional gel electrophoresis.

For identification of Rab, Rac, Rho, Ral, Rap, and Arf proteins on two-dimensional polyacrylamide gels, we have expressed full-length cDNAs of members of these protein families with the T7 RNA polymerase-recombinant vaccinia virus expression system. Membrane preparations from cells expressing the cDNAs were subjected to high-resolution two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by [alpha-32P]GTP ligand blotting. We have mapped 28 small GTP-binding proteins relative to their isoelectric points and according to their molecular weights and by immunoblotting with specific antibodies. Rab and Rho proteins could be specifically identified by extraction of streptolysin O-permeabilized Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells with Rab- and Rho-GDP dissociation inhibitor. We applied the reference mapping to analyze the GTP-binding patterns of synaptosome fractions from rat brain. The purified synaptosomes exhibited specific enrichment of Rab3a, Rab5a, Ral, and several other GTPases. This approach and the map we have produced should provide a useful aid for the analysis of the expression and localization of members of all families of small GTP-binding proteins in various cell types and subcellular fractions.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Validation of a new fluorometric assay for benzo[a]pyrene diolepoxide-DNA adducts in human white blood cells: comparisons with 32P-postlabeling and ELISA.

A new fluorometric assay was validated for quantification of benzo[a]pyrene diolepoxide (BPDE)-DNA adducts in white blood cells (WBC) from humans exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). This assay has a detection limit of 2 pg of r-7,c-10,t-8,t-9-tetrahydroxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene derived from acid hydrolysis of BPDE-DNA, and can measure 1 BPDE adduct per 10(8) unmodified nucleotides. The quantity of WBC DNA required depends on the modification level and varies between 5 and 500 micrograms. The assay was applied to seven WBC DNA samples from lung cancer patients, six of whom were heavy smokers, and to three WBC DNA samples from healthy subjects employed in an aluminum production plant. High levels of BPDE-DNA adducts, ranging from 62 to 533 adducts/10(8) nucleotides were found in six out of seven DNA samples from the lung cancer patients. In WBC DNA from healthy persons BPDE-DNA adducts were detected only in two non-smokers, but at a much lower level than in lung cancer patients (4-10 adducts/10(8) nucleotides). Using coded WBC DNA samples, BPDE-DNA adduct levels measured by fluorometry of the B[a]P-tetrols, were compared with the results obtained by 32P-postlabeling (nuclease P1 enrichment) and ELISA measurements. A good correlation and proportionality was found between the levels of BPDE-DNA adducts measured by fluorometry and 32P-postlabeling (r = 0.95, P < 0.001, n = 8). The correlation between fluorometry and ELISA was much lower and not significant (r = 0.61, P = 0.1, n = 6). Moreover, the ELISA grossly overestimated BPDE-DNA adduct levels measured by the other two methods. The results demonstrate that the highly sensitive and specific fluorometric assay is suitable for measuring BPDE-DNA adducts in WBC from humans exposed to benzo[a]pyrene.

Benzo(a)pyrene↗
PubMed1993

Rab GDP dissociation inhibitor as a general regulator for the membrane association of rab proteins.

Rab proteins comprise a family of small GTPases that serve a regulatory role in membrane traffic. These proteins are in part cytosolic and in part associated with the membranes of specific exocytic and endocytic organelles. Smg p25A/rab3A GDI, a cytosolic protein which inhibits the dissociation of GDP from smg p25A/rab3A, Sec4p, and rab11, has also been found to prevent association of rab3A with the membrane. In this study, we have used Madin-Darby canine kidney cells permeabilized with the bacterial toxin streptolysin O to test the general activity of rab3A GDI in modulating the membrane association of various small GTP-binding proteins. Rab3A GDP dissociation inhibitor (GDI) removed from the membrane all rab proteins we have tested and inhibited the membrane binding of in vitro translated rab proteins. However, rab3A GDI had a limited effect on the membrane association of a mutant rab5 protein which contained a farnesylated cysteine motif. Finally, we found that, although rab3A GDI resides primarily in the cytosol, it is also associated with compartments of the exocytic and endocytic pathways. Since rab3A GDI can modulate the membrane association of various rab proteins, we propose to rename it rab GDI.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

The conserved lysine of the catalytic domain of protein kinases is actively involved in the phosphotransfer reaction and not required for anchoring ATP.

The study of the various protein kinases reveals that, despite their considerably diversity, they have evolved from a common origin. Eleven conserved subdomains have been described that encompass the catalytic core of these enzymes. One of these conserved regions, subdomain II, contains an invariant lysine residue present in all known protein kinase catalytic domains. Two facts have suggested that this conserved lysine of subdomain II is essential for binding ATP: (i) several investigators have demonstrated that this residue is physically proximal to the ATP molecule, and (ii) conservative substitutions at this site render the kinase inactive. However, these results are also consistent with a functional role of the conserved lysine of subdomain II in orienting or facilitating the transfer of phosphate. To study in more detail the role of subdomain II, we have generated mutants of the protein-tyrosine kinase pp56lck that have single amino acid substitutions within the area surrounding the conserved residue Lys-273 in subdomain II. When compared with wild-type pp56lck, these mutants displayed profound reductions in their phosphotransfer efficiencies and small differences in their affinities for ATP. Further, the substitution of arginine for Lys-273 resulted in a mutant protein unable to transfer the gamma-phosphate of ATP but able to bind 8-azido-ATP with an efficiency similar to that of wild-type pp56lck. These results suggest that the region including Lys-273 of subdomain II is involved in the enzymatic process of phosphate transfer, rather than in anchoring ATP.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1993

Analysis of DNA adducts in smokers' lung and urothelium by 32P-postlabelling: metabolic phenotype dependence and comparisons with other exposure markers.

Carcinogen-DNA adduct levels in lung parenchyma (surgical specimens) and urothelial (exfoliated) cells of smokers, ex-smokers and non-smokers were investigated. DNA adducts were analysed by 32P-postlabelling and levels were compared with tissue-specific activity of cytochrome P450-related enzymes, or whenever possible, with metabolic phenotypes and other macromolecular adducts. Lung cancer patients who were recent smokers had significantly induced benzo[a]pyrene (BaP)-3-hydroxylase (AHH) and ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase activities in lung parenchyma compared with smoking non-cancer patients. Pulmonary AHH activity showed a good correlation with the intensity of immunohistochemical staining for P4501A(1). In lung cancer patients from Italy and Finland who were recent smokers, lung AHH activity was positively correlated (r approximately 0.65; p < 0.001) with bulky DNA adduct levels. In some lung DNA samples from smokers, the level of BaP-diol-epoxide adducts determined by HPLC with fluorescence detection showed significant positive correlation with lung AHH activity and bulky DNA adduct levels. Molecular dosimetry studies provided evidence that aromatic amines such as 4-aminobiphenyl (ABP) in tobacco smoke are primarily responsible for bladder cancer in smokers. The N-(deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-4-ABP adduct was the major smoking-related adduct in DNA of bladder biopsies from bladder cancer patients and in the DNA of exfoliated urothelial cells of smoking volunteers. The adduct levels of ABP with haemoglobin and with deoxyguanosine in urothelial DNA (determined by 32P-postlabelling) were linearly and significantly correlated, and both were related to recent cigarette smoking. Metabolic phenotype (fast/slow N-acetylator and N-oxidizer) significantly affected the levels of ABP-haemoglobin adducts.

Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases↗
PubMed1992

An improved fluorometric assay for dosimetry of benzo(a)pyrene diol-epoxide-DNA adducts in smokers' lung: comparisons with total bulky adducts and aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity.

An improved high-performance liquid chromatography/fluorometric assay has been established to quantitate the benzo(a)pyrene (BP) tetrols released after acid hydrolysis of lung DNA from lung cancer patients, so that the formation of benzo(a)pyrene diol-epoxide-DNA adducts can be measured. The r-7,c-10,t-8,t-9-tetrahydroxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydro-BP isolated by high-performance liquid chromatography was determined by chromatography in two different solvent systems and fluorescence spectroscopy. This assay has a detection limit of 2 pg of r-7,c-10,t-8,t-9-tetrahydroxy- 7,8,9,10-tetrahydro-BP, requires 100-500 micrograms of DNA, and can measure 1 adduct/10(8) unmodified nucleotides. As this assay does not use immunoaffinity chromatography or solvent extraction, it allows a > 90% recovery of benzo(a)pyrene diol-epoxide-DNA adducts. This procedure has been tested on 13 DNA samples prepared from nontumorous lung parenchyma taken from lung cancer patients at surgery and revealed the presence of DNA adducts of the anti-benzo(a)pyrene diol-epoxide in 9 of 11 samples from smokers and in 2 of 2 ex-smokers. In only two samples from smokers the formation of adducts derived from syn-benzo(a)pyrene diol-epoxide was detected. A 15-fold variation in DNA adduct level was found in 11 of 13 DNA samples, with a range of 0.6-9.9 adducts of benzo(a)pyrene diol-epoxide/10(8) nucleotides. In samples containing both anti- and syn-benzo(a)pyrene diolepoxide-DNA adducts, the anti/syn adduct ratio is 2:1. A highly significant correlation was found between pulmonary microsomal aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity and the level of benzo(a)pyrene diolepoxide-DNA adduct (r = 0.91; P < 0.001; n = 13). A crude linear correlation between the amounts of these adducts and those of bulky DNA adducts determined by 32P-postlabeling assay was observed in the same samples (r = 0.78; P < 0.02; n = 13). Thus this highly sensitive and specific procedure is suitable for measuring benzo(a)pyrene diolepoxide-DNA adducts in human tissues from environmentally exposed subjects and could be adapted to measure polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons other than BP.

7,8-Dihydro-7,8-dihydroxybenzo(a)pyrene 9,10-oxide↗