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M Dizdaroglu

Publications and source records attributed to M Dizdaroglu.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Substrate specificity of Deinococcus radiodurans Fpg protein.

A DNA repair enzyme has recently been isolated from the ionizing radiation-resistant bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans [Bauche, C., and Laval, J. (1999) J. Bacteriol. 181, 262-269]. This enzyme is a homologue of the Fpg protein of Escherichia coli. We investigated the substrate specificity of this enzyme for products of oxidative DNA base damage using gas chromatography/isotope-dilution mass spectrometry and DNA substrates, which were either gamma-irradiated or treated with H(2)O(2)/Fe(III)-EDTA/ascorbic acid. Excision of purine lesions 2,6-diamino-4-hydroxy-5-formamidopyrimidine (FapyGua), 4,6-diamino-5-formamidopyrimidine (FapyAde), and 8-hydroxyguanine (8-OH-Gua) was observed among 17 lesions detected in damaged DNA substrates. The extent of excision was determined as a function of enzyme concentration, time, and substrate concentration. FapyGua and FapyAde were excised with similar specificities from three DNA substrates, whereas 8-OH-Gua was the least preferred lesion. The results show that D. radiodurans Fpg protein and its homologue E. coli Fpg protein excise the same modified DNA bases, but the excision rates of these enzymes are significantly different. Formamidopyrimidines are preferred substrates of D. radiodurans Fpg protein over 8-OH-Gua, whereas E. coli Fpg protein excises these three lesions with similar efficiencies from various DNA substrates. Substrate specificities of these enzymes were also compared with that of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Ogg1 protein, which excises FapyGua and 8-OH-Gua, but not FapyAde.

DNA↗

Mitochondrial disease in superoxide dismutase 2 mutant mice.

Oxidative stress has been implicated in many diseases. The chief source of reactive oxygen species within the cell is the mitochondrion. We have characterized a variety of the biochemical and metabolic effects of inactivation of the mouse gene for the mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (CD1-Sod2(tm1Cje)). The Sod2 mutant mice exhibit a tissue-specific inhibition of the respiratory chain enzymes NADH-dehydrogenase (complex I) and succinate dehydrogenase (complex II), inactivation of the tricarboxylic acid cycle enzyme aconitase, development of a urine organic aciduria in conjunction with a partial defect in 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA lyase, and accumulation of oxidative DNA damage. These results indicate that the increase in mitochondrial reactive oxygen species can result in biochemical aberrations with features reminiscent of mitochondrial myopathy, Friedreich ataxia, and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA lyase deficiency.

Aconitate Hydratase↗

Excision of products of oxidative DNA base damage by human NTH1 protein.

A functional human homologue of Escherichia coli endonuclease III (Nth-Eco protein) has recently been cloned and characterized [Aspinwall, R., Rothwell, D. G., Roldan-Arjona, T., Anselmino, C., Ward, C. J., Cheadle, J. P., Sampson, J. R., Lindahl, T., Harris, P. C., and Hickson, I. D. (1997) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 94, 109-114]. This enzyme, designated hNTH1 protein, shares an extensive sequence similarity with Nth-Eco protein and a related enzyme from Schizosaccharomyces pombe (Nth-Spo protein). We investigated the substrate specificity of this human enzyme for oxidative DNA base damage, using the technique of gas chromatography/isotope-dilution mass spectrometry. Four different DNA substrates damaged by various free radical-generating systems were used. 5-Hydroxycytosine, thymine glycol, 5-hydroxy-6-hydrothymine, 5,6-dihydroxycytosine, and 5-hydroxyuracil were substrates of hNTH1 protein among 17 lesions found in DNA substrates. The substrate specificity and excision kinetics of the human enzyme were found to be significantly different from those of Nth-Spo and Nth-Eco proteins.

Barbiturates↗

The effect of experimental conditions on the levels of oxidatively modified bases in DNA as measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry: how many modified bases are involved? Prepurification or not?

Recently, an artifactual formation of a number of modified DNA bases has been alleged during derivatization of DNA hydrolysates to be analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). These modified bases were 8-hydroxyguanine (8-OH-Gua), 5-hydroxycytosine (5-OH-Cyt), 8-hydroxyadenine (8-OH-Ade), 5-hydroxymethyluracil (5-OHMeUra), and 5-formyluracil, which represent only a small percentage of more than 20 modified DNA bases that can be analyzed by GC-MS. However, relevant papers reporting the levels of these modified bases in DNA of various sources have not been cited, and differences in experimental procedures have not been discussed. We investigated the levels of modified bases in calf thymus DNA by GC-MS using derivatization at three different temperatures. The results obtained with GC/isotope-dilution MS showed that the levels of 5-OH-Cyt, 8-OH-Ade, 5-OH-Ura, and 5-OHMeUra were not affected by increasing the derivatization temperature from 23 degrees C to 120 degrees C. The level of 8-OH-Gua was found to be higher at 120 degrees C. However, this level was much lower than those reported previously. Formamidopyrimidines were readily analyzed in contrast to some recent claims. The addition of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) adversely affected the levels of pyrimidine-derived lesions, suggesting that TFA is not suitable for simultaneous measurement of both pyrimidine- and purine-derived lesions. The data obtained were also compared with those previously published. Our data and this comparison indicate that no artifactual formation of 5-OH-Cyt, 8-OH-Ade, and 5-OHMeUra occurred under our experimental conditions in contrast to recent claims, and no prepurification of DNA hydrolysates by a tedious procedure is necessary for accurate quantification of these compounds. The artifactual formation of 8-OH-Gua can be eliminated by derivatization at room temperature for at least 2 h, without the use of TFA. The results in this article and their comparison with published data indicate that different results may be obtained in different laboratories using different experimental conditions. The data obtained in various laboratories should be compared by discussing all relevant published data and scientific facts, including differences between experimental conditions used in different laboratories.

Adenine↗

Measurement of oxidatively induced base lesions in liver from Wistar rats of different ages.

Mitochondrial and nuclear DNA were isolated from the livers of young (6-7 month) and old (23-24 month) Wistar rats and the levels of 10 different oxidatively induced lesions were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. This is the first study to measure several different oxidatively induced base lesions in both mitochondrial and nuclear DNA as a function of age. No significant age effects were observed for any lesion. Furthermore, contrary to expectations, we did not observe elevated levels of oxidatively induced base lesions in mitochondrial DNA. This contrasts with 50-fold differences reported for several lesions between mitochondrial and nuclear DNA from porcine liver (Zastawny et al., Free Radic. Biol. Med. 24:722-725, 1998). The fact that different lesion levels are observed even when similar techniques are employed emphasizes that the role of oxidative mitochondrial DNA damage and its repair in aging must continue to be the subject of intense investigation. Questions concerning endogenous levels of damage should be revisited as existing methods are improved and new methods become available.

Aging↗

Effects of Ni(II) and Cu(II) on DNA interaction with the N-terminal sequence of human protamine P2: enhancement of binding and mediation of oxidative DNA strand scission and base damage.

Epidemiological evidence suggests that certain paternal exposures to metals may increase the risk of cancer in the progeny. This effect may be associated with promutagenic damage to the sperm DNA. The latter is packed with protamines which might sequester carcinogenic metals and moderate the damage. Human protamine P2 has an amino acid motif at its N-terminus that can serve as a heavy metal trap, especially for Ni(II) and Cu(II). We have synthesized a pentadecapeptide modeling this motif, Arg-Thr-His-Gly-Gln-Ser-His-Tyr-Arg-Arg-Arg-His-Cys-Ser-Arg-amide (HP21-15) and described its complexes with Ni(II) and Cu(II), including their capacity to mediate oxidative DNA degradation [Bal et al. (1997) Chem. Res. Toxicol., 10, 906-914 and 915-921]. In the present study, effects of HP21-15 on Ni(II)- and Cu(II)-mediated DNA oxidation by H2O2 at pH 7.4 were investigated in more detail using the circular plasmid pUC19 DNA as a target, and the single/double-strand breaks and production of oxidized DNA bases, as end points. Ni(II) alone was found to promote oxidative DNA strand scission (mostly single strand breaks) and base damage, while Cu(II) alone produced the same effects, but to a much greater extent. Both metals were relatively more damaging to the pyrimidine bases than to purine bases. HP21-15 tended to increase the Ni(II)/H2O2-induced DNA breakage. In sharp contrast, the destruction of DNA strands by Cu(II)/H2O2 was almost completely prevented by HP21-15. The effect of HP21-15 on the oxidative DNA base damage varied from a limited enhancement (5-hydroxyhydantoin and thymine glycol) to slight suppression (5-hydroxycytosine, 5-hydroxyuracil, 8-oxoguanine, 8-oxoadenine, 2-hydroxyadenine, fapyguanine and fapyadenine) toward Ni(II)/H2O2. HP21-15 strongly suppressed the oxidative activity of Cu(II)/H2O2 in regard to all bases in DNA. Consistently with the above, the electron spin resonance/spin trap measurements revealed greater and more persistent generation of OH* and O2-*-like oxidants from H2O2 by the Ni(II)-HP21-15 complex than by the Cu(II)-HP21-15 complex (no O2-* was detected). Both complexes were also found to bind to DNA more strongly than HP21-15 alone. The results indicate that protamine P2 is capable of binding Ni(II) and Cu(II) and, in this way, attenuating the mediation of oxidative DNA damage by Cu(II), but not Ni(II). The effects found may be mechanistically involved in the reproductive toxicity and carcinogenicity of metals.

Animals↗

Substrate specificities of the ntg1 and ntg2 proteins of Saccharomyces cerevisiae for oxidized DNA bases are not identical.

Two genes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, NTG1 and NTG2, encode proteins with a significant sequence homology to the endonuclease III of Escherichia coli. The Ntg1 and Ntg2 proteins were overexpressed in E.coli and purified to apparent homogeneity. The substrate specificity of Ntg1 and Ntg2 proteins for modified bases in oxidatively damaged DNA was investigated using gas chromatography/isotope-dilution mass spectrometry. The substrate used was calf-thymus DNA exposed to gamma-radiation in N2O-saturated aqueous solution. The results reveal excision by Ntg1 and Ntg2 proteins of six pyrimidine-derived lesions, 5-hydroxy-6-hydrothymine, 5-hydroxy-6-hydrouracil, 5-hydroxy-5-methylhydantoin, 5-hydroxyuracil, 5-hydroxycytosine and thymine glycol, and two purine-derived lesions, 2,6-diamino-4-hydroxy-5-formamidopyrimidine and 4,6-diamino-5-formamidopyrimidine from gamma-irradiated DNA. In contrast, Ntg1 and Ntg2 proteins do not release 8-hydroxyguanine or 8-hydroxyadenine from gamma-irradiated DNA. The Ntg1 and Ntg2 proteins also release 2, 6-diamino-4-hydroxy-5-N-methylformamido-pyrimidine from damaged poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC). Excision was measured as a function of enzyme concentration and time. Furthermore, kinetic parameters were determined for each lesion. The results show that kinetic constants varied among the different lesions for the same enzyme. We also investigated the capacity of the Ntg1 and Ntg2 proteins to cleave 34mer DNA duplexes containing a single 8-OH-Gua residue mispaired with each of the four DNA bases. The results show that the Ntg1 protein preferentially cleaves a DNA duplex containing 8-OH-Gua mispaired with a guanine. Moreover, the Ntg1 protein releases free 8-OH-Gua from 8-OH-Gua/Gua duplex but not from duplexes containing 8-OH-Gua mispaired with adenine, thymine or cytosine. In contrast, the Ntg2 protein does not incise duplexes containing 8-OH-Gua mispaired with any of the four DNA bases. These results demonstrate that substrate specificities of the Ntg1 and Ntg2 proteins are similar but not identical and clearly different from that of the endonuclease III of E.coli and its homologues in Schizosaccharomyces pombe or human cells.

Base Pair Mismatch↗

Substrate specificity of the Ogg1 protein of Saccharomyces cerevisiae: excision of guanine lesions produced in DNA by ionizing radiation- or hydrogen peroxide/metal ion-generated free radicals.

We have investigated the substrate specificity of the Ogg1 protein of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yOgg1 protein) for excision of modified DNA bases from oxidatively damaged DNA substrates using gas chromatography/isotope dilution mass spectrometry. Four DNA substrates prepared by treatment with H2O2/Fe(III)-EDTA/ascorbic acid, H2O2/Cu(II) and gamma-irradiation under N2O or air were used. The results showed that 8-hydroxyguanine (8-OH-Gua) and 2,6-diamino-4-hydroxy-5-formamidopyrimidine (FapyGua) were efficiently excised from DNA exposed to ionizing radiation in the presence of N2O or air. On the other hand, 8-OH-Gua and FapyGua were not excised from H2O2/Fe(III)-EDTA/ascorbic acid-treated and H2O2/Cu(II)-treated DNA respectively. Fourteen other lesions, including the adenine lesions 8-hydroxyadenine and 4,6-diamino-5-formamidopyrimidine, were not excised from any of the DNA substrates. Kinetics of excision significantly depended on the nature of the damaged DNA substrates. The findings suggest that, in addition to 8-OH-Gua, FapyGua may also be a primary substrate of yOgg1 in cells. The results also show significant differences between the substrate specificities of yOgg1 protein and its functional analog Fpg protein in Escherichia coli.

DNA Damage↗

Substrate specificity of Schizosaccharomyces pombe Nth protein for products of oxidative DNA damage.

A gene from Schizosaccharomyces pombe, which encodes a protein with a strong sequence similarity to the Nth protein of Escherichia coli, has recently been identified [Roldán-Arjona, T., Anselmino, C., and Lindahl, T. (1996) Nucleic Acids Res. 24, 3307-3312]. The functional analysis of this eukaryotic enzyme indicated that it is a homologue of E. coli Nth protein. The gene has been subcloned and the protein (Nth-Spo) purified to apparent homogeneity. We investigated the substrate specificity of this eukaryotic enzyme for modified bases in oxidatively damaged DNA, using the technique of gas chromatography/isotope-dilution mass spectrometry (GC/IDMS). DNA substrates containing up to 17 types of modified bases were prepared by gamma-irradiation or by treatment with H2O2 in the presence of Fe(III)-EDTA or Cu(II). The results revealed an efficient excision of five pyrimidine-derived lesions, 5-hydroxycytosine, thymine glycol, 5-hydroxy-6-hydrothymine, 5,6-dihydroxycytosine, and 5-hydroxyuracil. None of the other pyrimidine or purine lesions was excised. Excision was measured as a function of enzyme concentration, time, substrate concentration, and temperature. Kinetic constants were determined. Although some DNA base lesions removed by Nth-Spo protein were similar to those previously described for E. coli Nth protein, differences between substrate specificities of these two enzymes were noted.

DNA Damage↗

Facts about the artifacts in the measurement of oxidative DNA base damage by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Recently, several papers reported an artifactual formation of a number of modified bases from intact DNA bases during derivatization of DNA hydrolysates to be analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). These reports dealt with 8-hydroxyguanine (8-OH-Gua), 5-hydroxycytosine (5-OH-Cyt), 8-hydroxyadenine (8-OH-Ade), 5-hydroxymethyluracil (5-OHMeUra) and 5-formyluracil that represent only a small percentage of the 20 or so modified DNA bases that can be analyzed by GC/MS. Removal of intact DNA bases by prepurification of calf thymus DNA hydrolysates using HPLC was shown to prevent artifactual formation of these modified bases during derivatization. It needs to be emphasized that the procedures for hydrolysis of DNA and derivatization of DNA hydrolysates used in these papers substantially differed from the established procedures previously described. Furthermore, a large number of relevant papers reporting the levels of these modified bases in DNA of various sources have been ignored. Interestingly, the levels of modified bases reported in the literature were not as high as those reported prior to prepurification. Most values for the level of 5-OH-Cyt were even lower than the level measured after prepurification. Levels of 8-OH-Ade were quite close to, or even the same as, or smaller than the level reported after prepurification. The same holds true for 5-OHMeUra and 8-OH-Gua. All these facts raise the question of the validity of the claims about the measurement of these modified DNA bases by GC/MS. A recent paper reported a complete destruction of 2, 6-diamino-4-hydroxy-5-formamidopyrimidine (Fapy-Gua) and 4,6-diamino-5-formamidopyrimidine (FapyAde) by formic acid under the conditions of DNA hydrolysis prior to GC/MS. The complete destruction of FapyGua and FapyAde by formic acid is in disagreement with the data on these compounds in the literature. These two compounds were measured by GC/MS following formic acid hydrolysis for many years in our laboratory and by other researchers with no difficulties. These facts clearly raise the question of the validity of the claims made about the previous measurements of these compounds by GC/MS.

Adenine↗

Characterization and mechanism of action of Drosophila ribosomal protein S3 DNA glycosylase activity for the removal of oxidatively damaged DNA bases.

We recently demonstrated that Drosophila ribosomal protein S3 specifically cleaved duplex oligodeoxynucleotides at sites of 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanine (8-oxoGua), presumably due to S3 protein possessing an N-glycosylase activity that is associated with its known apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) lyase activity. Here we show, using DNA substrates prepared by gamma-irradiation under N2O and analyzed by gas chromatography/isotope-dilution mass spectrometry, that S3 protein efficiently liberates 8-oxoGua as a free base from the damaged DNA substrate. Of the 15 additional modified bases present in the DNA substrate, the only other one acted on by S3 protein was 2,6-diamino-4-hydroxy-5-formamidopyrimidine (FapyGua). Specificity constants measured for the removal of 8-oxoGua and FapyGua indicate that S3 protein has a similar preference for both of these modified purines. Having established that S3 protein contains an N-glycosylase activity, we next examined the repair of duplex oligonucleotides containing 8-oxoGua (8-oxoGua-37-mer) positioned opposite Cyt, Gua, Thy, or Ade. Significant cleavage of the 8-oxoGua-37-mer was only detected for an opposing Cyt. Moreover, we show that an imino covalent enzyme-substrate intermediate is formed between S3 protein and 8-oxoGua-37-mer, a result similar to other DNA repair enzymes that catalyze N-glycosylase/AP lyase-type reactions at sites of DNA damage.

Animals↗

Oxidative DNA base damage and antioxidant enzyme levels in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

We have investigated the levels of several antioxidant enzymes and the level of oxidative DNA base damage in lymphocytes of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and in disease-free children. Children with ALL had just been diagnosed with the disease and had received no therapy prior to obtaining blood samples. A multitude of typical hydroxyl radical-induced base lesions in lymphocyte DNA of children were identified and quantified by gas chromatography-isotope dilution mass spectrometry. Higher levels of DNA base lesions were observed in patients with ALL than in children without the disease. The levels of the antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase in lymphocytes of ALL patients were lower than in lymphocytes of controls. These findings are in agreement with earlier observations in various types of adulthood cancer. Some of the identified DNA base lesions are known to possess premutagenic properties and may play a role in carcinogenesis. The results may indicate a possible link between decreased activities of antioxidant enzymes and increased levels of DNA base lesions due to oxidative damage, and support the notion that free radical reactions may be increased in malignant cells.

Catalase↗

Kinetics of excision of purine lesions from DNA by Escherichia coli Fpg protein.

The kinetics of excision of damaged purine bases from oxidatively damaged DNA by Escherichia coli Fpg protein were investigated. DNA substrates, prepared by treatment with H2O2/Fe(III)-EDTA or by gamma-irradiation under N2O or air, were incubated with Fpg protein, followed by precipitation of DNA. Precipitated DNA and supernatant fractions were analyzed by gas chromatography/isotope-dilution mass spectrometry. Kinetic studies revealed efficient excision of 8-hydroxyguanine (8-OH-Gua), 2,6-diamino-4-hydroxy-5-formamidopyrimidine (FapyGua) and 4, 6-diamino-5-formamidopyrimidine (FapyAde). Thirteen other modified bases in the oxidized DNA substrates, including 5-hydroxycytosine and 5-hydroxyuracil, were not excised. Excision was measured as a function of enzyme concentration, substrate concentration, time and temperature. The rate of release of modified purine bases from the three damaged DNA substrates varied significantly even though each DNA substrate contained similar levels of oxidative damage. Specificity constants (kcat/KM) for the excision reaction indicated similar preferences of Fpg protein for excision of 8-OH-Gua, FapyGua and FapyAde from each DNA substrate. These findings suggest that, in addition to 8-OH-Gua, FapyGua and FapyAde may be primary substrates for this enzyme in cells.

Animals↗

Oxidative DNA base damage and its repair in kidneys and livers of nickel(II)-treated male F344 rats.

DNA base damage was assayed using gas chromatography/ mass spectrometry with selected ion monitoring (GC/MS-SIM) in renal and hepatic chromatin of male F344 rats up to 14 days after a single i.p. injection of 90 micromol Ni(II) acetate/kg body wt. Ten different damaged bases were quantified. No damage was found in either organ 12 h after Ni(II) treatment. The damage became significant only from day 1, with magnitude and persistence depending on the organ and base. In livers, levels of five DNA base products were significantly elevated over those in control rats. They were: 8-oxoguanine (by 46% at day 1 postinjection); 2,6-diamino-4-hydroxy-5-formamidopyrimidine (by 107% at day 1); 5-(hydroxymethyl)uracil (by 94% at day 1); 5,6-dihydroxyuracil (by 128% at day 1); and 5-hydroxyhydantoin (by 39% in terms of the overall adjusted means for days 1-14 post-injection). The elevation was highest at day 1 post-injection followed by a decrease at later days, except for 5-hydroxyhydantoin. In kidneys, the levels of only three damaged bases, 8-oxoguanine, 5-hydroxyhydantoin and 5,6-dihydroxyuracil were increased significantly (by 31, 73 and 60%, respectively) and one base, 8-oxoadenine, was increased by 26%, just below significance, all in terms of overall adjusted means for days 1-14 post-injection. Hence, unlike those in the liver, the renal increases persisted for 14 days. The results reveal a tissue specific response to Ni(II)-mediated oxidative DNA base damage with apparently faster DNA repair in liver than in kidney, the main target of Ni(II) carcinogenicity.

Acetates↗

Damage, repair, and mutagenesis in nuclear genes after mouse forebrain ischemia-reperfusion.

To determine whether oxidative stress after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion affects genetic stability in the brain, we studied mutagenesis after forebrain ischemia-reperfusion in Big Blue transgenic mice (male C57BL/6 strain) containing a reporter lacI gene, which allows detection of mutation frequency. The frequency of mutation in this reporter lacI gene increased from 1.5 to 7.7 (per 100,000) in cortical DNA after 30 min of forebrain ischemia and 8 hr of reperfusion and remained elevated at 24 hr reperfusion. Eight DNA lesions that are characteristic of DNA damage mediated by free radicals were detected. Four mutagenic lesions (2,6-diamino-4-hydroxy-5-formamidopyrimidine, 8-hydroxyadenine, 5-hydroxycytosine, and 8-hydroxyguanine) examined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and one corresponding 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine by a method of HPLC with electrochemical detection increased in cortical DNA two- to fourfold (p < 0.05) during 10-20 min of reperfusion. The damage to gamma-actin and DNA polymerase-beta genes was detected within 20 min of reperfusion based on the presence of formamidopyrimidine DNA N-glycosylase-sensitive sites. These genes became resistant to the glycosylase within 4-6 hr of reperfusion, suggesting a reduction in DNA damage and presence of DNA repair in nuclear genes. These results suggest that nuclear genes could be targets of free radicals.

Animals↗

DNA base damage in lymphocytes of cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy.

We investigated DNA base damage in genomic DNA of lymphocytes of cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy. Lymphocyte chromatin samples were analyzed by gas chromatography/isotope-dilution mass spectrometry for DNA base damage. The results provided evidence for formation of typical hydroxyl radical-induced base modifications in genomic DNA of lymphocytes. Different levels of DNA products in individuals were observed and, in the case of some patients, there was no significant product formation, possibly resulting from differences between individuals and between the types of radiation exposures. Decreases in product levels after an initial increase by radiation exposure were observed. This may indicate the removal of modified bases from lymphocyte DNA by cellular repair.

Adult↗

Repair of products of oxidative DNA base damage in human cells.

Oxidative DNA damage is the most frequent type of damage encountered by aerobic cells and may play an important role in biological processes such as mutagenesis, carcinogenesis and aging in humans. Oxidative damage generates a myriad of modifications in DNA. We investigated the cellular repair of DNA base damage products in DNA of cultured human lymphoblast cells, which were exposed to oxidative stress by H2O2. This DNA-damaging agent is known to cause base modifications in genomic DNA of mammalian cells [Dizdaroglu, M., Nackerdien, Z., Chao, B.-C., Gajewski, E. and Rao, G. (1991) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 285, 388-390]. Following treatment with H2O2, the culture medium was freed from H2O2 and cells were incubated for time periods ranging from 10 min to 6 h. DNA was isolated from control cells, hydrogen peroxide-treated cells and cells incubated after H2O2 exposure. DNA samples were analyzed by gas chromatography/isotope-dilution mass spectrometry. Eleven modified bases were identified and quantified. The results showed a significant formation of these DNA base products upon H2O2-treatment of cells. Subsequent incubation of cells caused a time-dependent excision of these products from cellular DNA. The cell viability did not change significantly by various treatments. There were distinct differences between the kinetics of excision of individual products. The observed excisions were attributed to DNA repair in cells. The rate of repair of purine lesions was slower than that of pyrimidine lesions. Most of the identified products are known to possess various premutagenic properties. The results of this work may contribute to the understanding of the cellular repair of oxidative DNA damage in human and other mammalian cells.

Cell Line↗

DNA damage and DNA sequence retrieval from ancient tissues.

Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was used to determine the amounts of eight oxidative base modifications in DNA extracted from 11 specimens of bones and soft tissues, ranging in age from 40 to >50 000 years. Among the compounds assayed hydantoin derivatives of pyrimidines were quantitatively dominant. From five of the specimens endogenous ancient DNA sequences could be amplified by PCR. The DNA from these specimens contained substantially lower amounts of hydantoins than the six specimens from which no DNA could be amplified. Other types of damage, e.g. oxidation products of purines, did not correlate with the inability to retrieve DNA sequences. Furthermore, all samples with low amounts of damage and from which DNA could be amplified stemmed from regions where low temperatures have prevailed throughout the burial period of the specimens.

Animals↗