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Biomedical subjects

K R Tindall

Publications and source records attributed to K R Tindall.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Correction of hypermutability, N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine resistance, and defective DNA mismatch repair by introducing chromosome 2 into human tumor cells with mutations in MSH2 and MSH6.

The human DNA mismatch repair genes hMSH2 and hMSH6 encode the proteins that, together, bind to mismatches to initiate repair of replication errors. Human tumor cells containing mutations in these genes have strongly elevated mutation rates in selectable genes and at microsatellite loci, although mutations in these genes cause somewhat different mutator phenotypes. These cells are also resistant to killing by certain drugs and are defective in mismatch repair. Because the elevated mutation rates in these cells may lead to mutations in additional genes that are causally related to the other defects, here we attempt to establish a cause-effect relationship between the hMSH2 and hMSH6 gene mutations and the observed phenotypes. The endometrial tumor cell line HEC59 contains mutations in both alleles of hMSH2. The colon tumor cell line HCT15 contains mutations in hMSH6 and also has a sequence change in a conserved region of the coding sequence for DNA polymerase delta, a replicative DNA polymerase. We introduced human chromosome 2 containing the wild-type hMSH2 and hMSH6 genes into HEC59 and HCT15 cells. Introduction of chromosome 2 to HEC59 cells restored microsatellite stability, sensitivity to N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine treatment, and mismatch repair activity. Transfer of chromosome 2 to HCT15 cells also reduced the mutation rate at the HPRT locus and restored sensitivity to N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine treatment and mismatch repair activity. The results demonstrate that the observed defects are causally related to mutations in genes on chromosome 2, probably hMSH2 or hMSH6, but are not related to sequence changes in other genes, including the gene encoding DNA polymerase delta.

Cell Fusion↗

Mutant frequency of lacI in transgenic mice following benzo[a]pyrene treatment and partial hepatectomy.

The Big Blue, transgenic mouse provides an in vivo mutation system that permits the study of pharmacodynamic parameters on mutant frequency (MF) following xenobiotic exposure. We have studied the effects of cellular proliferation on the frequency of mutations in the lacl transgene by evaluating the MF in the liver of male C57B1/6 Big Blue mice following treatment with benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) and a partial hepatectomy. Mice received either 40 mg/kg of B[a]P in corn oil or corn oil alone by i.p. injection on three consecutive days, followed by a partial hepatectomy on the fourth day. Three days later (i.e., 7 days following the initial B[a]P injection), the animals were sacrificed and the MF in the liver was compared to the MF observed in the liver of the same mouse at the time of hepatectomy. Induction of cytochrome P-450 1A (CYP1A) following B[a]P treatment was evident by Western blot analysis. The MF in untreated control animals was not significantly different at hepatectomy (4.7 +/- 0.8 x 10(-5)) and 3 days later, at sacrifice (3.0 +/- 0.4 x 10(-5)). Neither was the MF observed in the B[a]P-treated mice at the time of sacrifice (12.0 +/- 2.1 x 10(-5)) significantly different from the MF observed at the time of hepatectomy (10.6 +/- 5.3 x 10(-5)). However, B[a]P-treatment resulted in a 4.0-fold increase in MF at sacrifice which was significantly different (p < 0.05), when compared to the untreated controls. The B[a]P-treated mice at hepatectomy showed a modest 2.2-fold increase in MF which was not statistically significantly different from the untreated controls. In addition, both control and B[a]P-treated tissues gave sectored mutant plaques. The sectored plaque frequency (SPF) was significantly elevated (p < 0.05) in the B[a]P-treated mice at hepatectomy (4.2 +/- 1.0 x 10(-5)) and sacrifice (7.3 +/- 2.4 x 10(-5)) as compared to the respective frequency in the control mice at hepatectomy (1.9 +/- 0.7 x 10(-5)) and sacrifice (1.4 +/- 0.2 x 10(-5)). One explanation for this data is the persistence of the B[a]P adducts in the mouse genomic DNA that was packaged into the lambda phage, and ultimately fixed as mutations in Escherichia coli.

Animals↗

Mammalian germ cell mutagenicity of ENU, IPMS and MMS, chemicals selected for a transgenic mouse collaborative study.

A collaborative study to systematically assess transgenic mouse mutation assays as screens for germ cell mutagens has been conducted. Three male mouse germ cell mutagens (ENU, iPMS and MMS) were selected for testing. This paper provides a brief review of the effects reported for those 3 chemicals in the most commonly used non-transgenic germ cell mutagenicity assays, namely the dominant lethal, heritable translocation, and specific locus tests. Additionally, information on the DNA reactivity and the molecular nature of mutations induced by these chemicals is summarized.

Animals↗

Mutation rate at the hprt locus in human cancer cell lines with specific mismatch repair-gene defects.

Spontaneous mutation rates at the hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (hprt) locus were measured in human cancer cell lines defective in the mismatch repair (MMR) genes hMLH1, hPMS2, or GTBP, as well as in a cell line carrying mutations in both hMLH1 and hPMS2. The mutation rate was determined by quantitating mutant frequency increases within a single culture as a function of cell division. These MMR-deficient cell lines exhibited a 50- to 750-fold increase in mutation rate relative to a MMR-proficient cancer cell line. From lowest to highest, the spontaneous mutation rates relative to the MMR-gene defects studied here are as follows: hMLH1- < GTBP- < hPMS2- < hMLH1- / hPMS2-. In addition, a cell line in which MMR was restored by chromosome transfer exhibited a mutation rate 12-fold below the MMR-deficient parental cell line. These data support the notion that MMR plays an important role in controlling the rate of spontaneous mutation and suggest that different MMR-gene defects may vary in their ability to repair different types of DNA mismatches, thus leading to measurable quantitative differences in spontaneous mutagenesis. Furthermore, a difference in mutation rates was observed between a hPMS2-defective cell line (3.1 x 10(-5) mutations/cell/generation) and two hMLH1-defective cell lines (4.0 x 10(-6) and 7.3 x 10(-6) mutations/cell/generation). Assuming the hPMS2- and hMLH1-gene products only function in the proposed hMutL alpha heterodimer, then defects in either gene should yield comparable mutation rates. These data suggest that hPMS2 plays a critical role in MMR, while additional hMLH1 homologues or hPMS2 alone may function to partially complement defects in hMLH1.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Spectrum of spontaneous mutations in liver tissue of lacI transgenic mice.

The advent of transgenic technology has greatly facilitated the study of mutation in animals in vivo. The Big Blue mouse system, transgenic for the lacI gene, permits not only the quantification of mutations in different tissues but also provides for the generation of in vivo-derived mutational spectra. This report details the sequence alterations of 348 spontaneous mutations recovered from the liver of 6-8-week-old male Big Blue mice. The spectra recovered from two strains of mice, C57BI/6 and B6C3F1, were compared and found to be very similar. The predominant mutations are G:C-->A:T transitions, with 75% of these occurring at 5'-CpG-3' sequences. This mutational bias is consistent with deamination-directed mutation at methylated cytosine bases. The second most common class of mutations is G:C-->T:A transversions. A significant clonal expansion of mutants was found in several animals, and this was used to make an approximate correction of the mutant frequency such that the most conservative estimate of mutation frequency is presented. The establishment of this substantial database of spontaneous mutations in the liver of Big Blue mice is intended to serve as a reference against which mutations recovered after treatment can be compared.

Animals↗

5-Azacytidine-induced 6-thioguanine resistance at the gpt locus in AS52 cells: cellular response.

Treatment of AS52 cells with 5-azacytidine resulted in an induction of 6-thioguanine-resistant [6TG] colonies, which reached a maximum by an expression time of 9 days. Dose responses for both cytotoxicity and mutation induction were determined following treatment with 5-azacytidine. At 20 microM treatment, 5-azacytidine exposure resulted in about 50% survival. Mutant frequency reached a maximum of 10 microM. At concentrations between 10 and 20 microM, 5-azacytidine was a potent mutagen but did not exhibit a dose response. Although many compounds both induce cell death and affect the growth rate of cells, 5-azacytidine specifically induced cell death and did not affect the doubling time of the surviving treated cell population.

Animals↗

Spectrum of mutations in kidney, stomach, and liver from lacI transgenic mice recovered after treatment with tris(2,3-dibromopropyl)phosphate.

The flame retardant tris(2,3-dibromopropyl)phosphate (TDBP), once used in cotton sleep wear for children, is presently banned from commerce. It produces tumors in rodents in both a sex- and tissue-specific manner. The kidney is the main target for tumor formation in male and female rats, as well as in male mice. In contrast, tumors are formed in the liver of female animals. We have used lacI transgenic male B6C3F1 mice (Big Blue) to examine the induction of mutation in kidney, liver, and stomach after exposure to 150 mg/kg (2 days), 300 mg/kg (4 days), and 600 mg/kg (4 days) of TDBP. At the highest dose, the mutant frequency was approximately 50% above control values in the kidney (P < 0.01). A smaller increase was observed in the liver (P = 0.07), while no increase was seen in the stomach (P = 0.28). Sequence analysis of the recovered mutants showed a TDBP-specific change in mutation spectrum in kidney, which was not observed in liver and stomach. In kidney, a dose-dependent decrease in G:C-->A:T transitions, including at 5'-CpG-3' sites, was observed. This was accompanied by an increase in the loss of single G:C base pairs from approximately 3% to 15%. These results illustrate both the sensitivity and specificity of the lacI transgenic system in the analysis of tissue-specific mutation. This study also reinforces the importance of examining mutational spectra when mutant induction levels are low.

Animals↗

Distinction of mutagenic carcinogens from a mutagenic noncarcinogen in the big blue transgenic mouse.

The aromatic amines 2,4-diaminotoluene (2,4-DAT) and 2,6-diaminotoluene (2,6-DAT) are structural isomers that have been extensively studied for their mutagenic and carcinogenic characteristics. Both compounds are rapidly absorbed after oral administration and are equally mutagenic in the Ames test; however, 2,4-DAT is a potent hepatocarcinogen, whereas 2,6-DAT does not produce an increased incidence of tumors in rats or mice at similar doses. The Big Blue transgenic B6C3F1 mouse carries multiple copies of the lacl mutational target gene. Our studies were designed to determine whether the Big Blue system could be used to detect differences in the vivo mutagenic activity between the carcinogen-noncarcinogen pair 2,4-DAT and 2,6-DAT and to determine whether the in vivo mutagenesis assay results correspond to the rodent carcinogen bioassay results. Male B6C3F1 transgenic mice were exposed to 2,4-DAT or 2,6-DAT at 0 or 1,000 ppm in the diet for 30 and 90 days or to dimethylnitrosamine as a positive control. Mutant frequencies were nearly identical for all three groups at 30 days, while at 90 days the mutant frequency for the hepatocarcinogen 2,4-DAT (12.1 +/- 1.4 x 10(-5)) was significantly higher (p < 0.01) as compared to both age-matched (spontaneous) controls (5.7 +/- 2.9 x 10(-5)) and the 2,6-DAT-exposed group (5.7 +/- 2.4 x 10(-5)). Results from this study demonstrate that the Big Blue transgenic mutation assay can distinguish differences in vivo between the mutagenic responses of hepatic carcinogens ad a noncarcinogen; is sensitive to mutagens through subchronic dietary exposure; and yields a differential response depending upon the length of time mice are exposed to a mutagen.

Animals↗

Study design and sample sizes for a lacI transgenic mouse mutation assay.

Design features that adjust and account for excess variation in a transgenic mouse mutation assay based on a lacI target transgene from E. coli are considered. These features include proper identification of plate, packaging reaction, and animal identifier codes throughout the experimental and analysis phases of the study, "blocking" of exposed and unexposed animals when preparing and plating multiple packaging reactions from the same genomic DNA sample, separating sectored mutant plaques and complete mutant plaques before performing any quantitative analyses, and testing for sources of excess variation attributable to features of the experimental protocol--such as plate-to-plate (within packaging reactions), packaging reaction-to-packaging reaction (within animals), and animal-to-animal (within study). Control and ethylnitrosourea-treated animal data are presented from a fully designed study in the lacI assay. The study design incorporates many of these experimental principles. Statistical methods to identify excess variability are noted, and the designed study data are used to illustrate the types of variability encountered in practice. A standard statistical test for two-sample testing is highlighted, from which recommendations are made for sample size selection in future studies.

Analysis of Variance↗

Differential in vivo mutagenicity of the carcinogen/non-carcinogen pair 2,4- and 2,6-diaminotoluene.

The aromatic amines 2,4-diaminotoluene (2,4-DAT) and 2,6-diaminotoluene (2,6-DAT) are structural isomers that have been extensively studied for their mutagenic and carcinogenic characteristics. Both compounds are equally mutagenic in the Ames/Salmonella assay in the presence of S9. However, the differences in the results of chronic rodent carcinogen bioassays using these two compounds are significant, in that 2,4-DAT is a potent hepatocarcinogen, whereas 2,6-DAT does not produce an increased incidence of tumors in rats or mice at similar doses. The Big Blue transgenic B6C3F1 mouse carries multiple copies of bacteriophage lambda, each with a lacI mutational target gene, integrated into mouse chromosome 4. Our studies were designed to determine whether the Big Blue system could be used to detect differences in the in vivo mutagenic activity between the carcinogen/non-carcinogen pair 2,4- and 2,6-DAT and to determine whether the in vivo mutagenesis assay results correspond to the rodent carcinogen bioassay results. Male B6C3F1 transgenic mice were exposed to 2,4- or 2,6-DAT at 0 or 1000 p.p.m. in the diet for 30 and 90 days. Mice serving as positive controls were administered five daily i.p. injections of 6 mg/kg dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) in saline and were sacrificed 15 days following the last injection. Mutant frequencies at lacI were determined by recovering the genomically integrated lambda phage using an in vitro packaging reaction followed by infection of an appropriate Escherichia coli host. Complete non-sectored blue mutant plaques were scored against a background of clear non-mutant plaques. Mutant frequencies were nearly identical for all three groups at 30 days, while at 90 days the mutant frequency for the hepatocarcinogen 2,4-DAT (12.1 +/- 1.4 x 10(-5)) was significantly higher (P < 0.01) as compared with both age-matched (spontaneous) controls (5.7 +/- 2.9 x 10(-5)) and the 2,6-DAT-exposed group (5.7 +/- 2.4 x 10(-5)). Mutations at lacI arising ex vivo during replication in E. coli are observed in this system as sectored blue plaques. The sectored plaque frequency in this study was constant across all groups at approximately 9.0 x 10(-5). Results from this study demonstrate that the Big Blue transgenic mutation assay: (i) can distinguish differences in vivo between the mutagenic responses of a carcinogen and a non-carcinogen which elicited comparable mutagenic activity in S.typhimurium; (ii) is sensitive to mutagens through subchronic dietary exposure; and (iii) yields a differential response depending upon the length of time mice are exposed to a mutagen.

Animals↗

Sources of variability in data from a lacI transgenic mouse mutation assay.

Experimental features of a transgenic mouse mutation assay based on a lacI target transgene from Escherichia coli are considered in detail. Sources of variability in the experimental protocol that can affect the statistical nature of the observations are examined with the goal of identifying sources of excess variation in the observed mutant fractions. The sources include plate-to-plate (within packages), package-to-package (within animals), and animal-to-animal (within study) variability. Data from two laboratories are evaluated, using various statistical methods to identify excess variability. Results suggest only scattered patterns of excess variability, except possibly in those cases where genomic DNA from test animals is stored for extended periods (e.g., > 90 days) after isolation from tissues. Further study is encouraged to examine the validity and implications of this time/storage-related effect.

9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene↗

Human CYP2A6 activation of 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK): mutational specificity in the gpt gene of AS52 cells.

The tobacco-specific nitrosamine 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1- butanone (NNK) is a potential human carcinogen that is known to be metabolized to DNA-reactive intermediates by the cytochromes P450. We have examined the nature of NNK's DNA damaging effects in a mammalian cell system expressing a specific human cytochrome P450 (2A6) and containing a target gene for mutagenesis. Human CYP2A6, which is known to activate NNK to a mutagen, was lipofected via a retroviral vector into the Chinese hamster ovary AS52 cell line, which contains the bacterial gpt gene and can be mutated to 6-thioguanine resistance. AS52 cells expressed negligible CYP2A6-specific coumarin 7-hydroxylase activity (0.7 pmol/mg protein/min), while a CYP2A6 transfected clone (AS52-E8) expressed 30 pmol/mg protein/min. Both cell lines were equally sensitive to the cytotoxic and mutagenic effects of the direct-acting mutagen ethylmethanesulfonate; however, only the AS52-E8 cells exhibited a dose-dependent increase in cytotoxicity and mutant frequency upon treatment with NNK. At the highest NNK dose (1200 micrograms/ml), the mutant frequency in AS52-E8 cells was 14-fold (339 x 10(-6)) greater than the spontaneous frequency of 24 x 10(-6). Ninty-eight mutant clones were isolated following NNK treatment. Based on PCR analysis, 21 clones contained deletions/rearrangements and 77 were putative point mutants. Sequencing potential point mutants showed that 81% contained G:C to A:T transitions. Four of six G:C to A:T hotspots were at the second G of the GGT motif, which is the motif and major mutation found in codon 12 of Ki-ras from NNK-induced lung tumors in strain A mice. Since NNK may be metabolized via different pathways to pyridyloxobutylate or methylate DNA, the data suggest that methylation damage causes the major mutagenic events in AS52-E8 cells when NNK is activated by human CYP2A6.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Fertility, reproduction, and genetic disease: studies on the mutagenic effects of environmental agents on mammalian germ cells.

Because genetically based diseases have a major impact on human health, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) has conducted a research and testing program for more than a decade to address chemical induction of heritable genetic damage in the germ cells of mammals. Although most genetic disease results from preexisting mutations, a portion is due to the occurrence of new mutations. The supposition that exposure to mutagenic chemicals contributes to the occurrence of new mutations in the human population is strongly supported by the results from animal models. Such studies clearly demonstrate the potential of environmental chemicals to induce mutations in both somatic and reproductive cells of mammals. This NIEHS program has become a leader in the identification of genetic hazards in the environment and in the acquisition of animal model data used by regulatory agencies in assessing genetic risks to human health.

Animals↗

Rapid localization of point mutations in PCR products by chemical (HOT) modification.

Our studies of mutational mechanisms in mammalian cells use the AS52 Chinese hamster ovary cell line. AS52 mutants can be selected as 6-thioguanine resistant colonies and mutations are studied at a chromosomally integrated gpt locus. Mutant gpt sequences are amplified using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to distinguish deletions from putative point mutations. PCR is efficiently performed from a few thousand lysed cells or from isolated genomic DNA. Amplified mutant PCR fragments carrying putative point mutations are further characterized by localizing the site of the mutation using chemical modification. A heteroduplex molecule consisting of one wild-type and one mutant DNA strand is generated. A base mismatch will be produced at the site of the mutation. Mismatched cytosine or thymine residues are sensitive to modification by hydroxylamine or osmium tetroxide, respectively. The modified DNA heteroduplex is then sensitive to piperidine cleavage. If one strand is 32P-end labeled, then the cleavage product can be separated on a denaturing acrylamide sequencing gel and visualized using autoradiography. Thus, the site of a mutation can be localized to a specific region of the gene, thereby simplifying the DNA sequence analysis and facilitating the rapid generation of mutational sequence spectra.

Animals↗

Cationic liposomes (Lipofectin) mediate retroviral infection in the absence of specific receptors.

We have used cationic liposomes (Lipofectin) to facilitate retrovirus infection of cells lacking the homologous viral receptor. Ecotropic murine leukemia virus and packaged retroviral vectors were shown to infect mink cells, and amphotropic packaged retroviral vectors were shown to infect hamster cells in the presence of Lipofectin but not in the presence of Polybrene. Lipofectin-mediated infection of cells lacking the homologous receptor results in a titer approximately 0.1% of the titer in cells with the homologous receptor, using the standard Polybrene protocol. The use of Lipofectin may provide a simple means to experimentally infect a wide variety of cells with viruses not normally infectious for the species, tissue, or cell type of interest.

Animals↗

Direct sequencing of bacteriophage T4 DNA with a thermostable DNA polymerase.

We present a simple and convenient protocol for the direct sequencing of bacteriophage T4 genomic DNA. The method utilizes the thermostable DNA polymerase from Thermus aquaticus (Taq) and 32P-end-labeled oligodeoxyribonucleotide primers to produce extension products that allow the analysis of at least 200 nucleotides (nt) on a single sequencing gel. Single-nt changes in the template were easily detectable following an overnight exposure of the autoradiograms. Comparison of sequences from fully modified T4 DNA containing glucosylated hydroxymethyldeoxycytosine or from templates containing cytosine showed little difference in sequence clarity. These techniques considerably simplify the molecular analysis of T-even bacteriophages and should be compatible with automated sequencing methods which employ 5'-end-labeled primers.

Base Sequence↗

Fidelity of DNA synthesis by the Thermus aquaticus DNA polymerase.

We have determined the fidelity of in vitro DNA synthesis catalyzed at high temperature by the DNA polymerase from the thermophilic bacterium Thermus aquaticus. Using a DNA substrate that contains a 3'-OH terminal mismatch, we demonstrate that the purified polymerase lacks detectable exonucleolytic proofreading activity. The fidelity of the Taq polymerase was measured by two assays which score errors produced during in vitro DNA synthesis of the lacZ alpha complementation gene in M13mp2 DNA. In both assays, the Taq polymerase produces single-base substitution errors at a rate of 1 for each 9000 nucleotides polymerized. Frameshift errors are also produced, at a frequency of 1/41,000. These results are discussed in relation to the effects of high temperature on fidelity and the use of the Taq DNA polymerase as a reagent for the in vitro amplification of DNA by the polymerase chain reaction.

Base Composition↗