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DNA fragmentation, DNA repair and apoptosis induced in primary rat hepatocytes by dienogest, dydrogesterone and 1,4,6-androstatriene-17beta-ol-3-one acetate.

Four steroids that share the 17-hydroxy-3-oxopregna-4,6-diene structure - cyproterone acetate, chlormadinone acetate, megestrol acetate, and potassium canrenoate - have been shown previously to behave with different potency as liver-specific genotoxic agents, the response being markedly higher in female than in male rats, but similar in humans of both genders. In this study, performed to better define the relationship between chemical structure and genotoxicity, dydrogesterone (DGT) with double bonds C4=C5 and C6=C7, dienogest (DNG) with double bonds C4=C5 and C9=C10, and 1,4,6-androstatriene-17beta-ol-3-one acetate (ADT) with double bonds C1=C2, C4=C5 and C6=C7, were compared with cyproterone acetate (CPA) for their ability to induce DNA fragmentation and DNA repair synthesis in primary cultures of hepatocytes from three rats of each sex. At subtoxic concentrations, ranging from 10 to 90 microM, all four steroids consistently induced a dose-dependent increase of DNA fragmentation, which in all cases was higher in females than in males; their DNA damaging potency decreased in the order CPA > DNG > ADT > DGT. Under the same experimental conditions, the responses provided by the DNA repair-synthesis assay were positive or inconclusive in hepatocytes from female rats and consistently negative in hepatocytes from male rats. In the induction of apoptotic cells, examined in primary hepatocytes from female rats, CPA was more active than ADT and DGT, and DNG was inactive. Considered as a whole these findings suggest that a liver-specific genotoxic effect more marked in female than in male rats might be a common property of steroids with two or three double bonds.

Androstatrienes↗

Quantitative correlations amongst alkaline DNA fragmentation, DNA covalent binding, mutagenicity in the Ames test and carcinogenicity, for 21 compounds.

21 compounds from different chemical classes were quantitatively compared for their carcinogenic potency according to 4 parameters: (1) potency in inducing covalent binding with DNA in vivo; (2) potency in inducing alkaline DNA fragmentation after treatment in vivo; (3) acute toxicity; (4) mutagenic potency in the Ames test. Establishing well-defined conditions for normalization of the different types of data and determination of the set that had to be submitted to statistical analysis appeared to be a difficult task, for which only compromise solutions were possible. A statistical analysis of the data suggested that all parameters considered were correlated with carcinogenic potency. However, we found that there are about 3 chances to 1 that carcinogenicity is better correlated with DNA covalent binding in vivo than it is to mutagenicity in the Ames test. With due precautions, even acute toxicity could be of predictive value. DNA adducts and DNA fragmentation, both in vivo, appeared to be 2 parameters strongly correlated between them. From a multivariate statistical analysis it appeared that: (1) a significant improvement of quantitative predictability is in principle obtainable with a battery of short-term test; and (2) the improvement is obtainable only if the short-term tests considered, while all correlated with carcinogenicity, are relatively independent amongst themselves.

DNA↗

Alkaline DNA fragmentation, DNA disentanglement evaluated viscosimetrically and sister chromatid exchanges, after treatment in vivo with nitrofurantoin.

Nitrofurantoin was not positive as a carcinogen in long term assays. In vitro it was positive in some short term tests and negative in others. We have examined Nitrofurantoin for its capability of inducing DNA damage in vivo. With the alkaline elution technique, Nitrofurantoin appeared clearly positive in all the tissues examined (liver, kidney, lung, spleen and bone marrow). In the liver we also observed some cross-linking effect. In bone marrow cells Nitrofurantoin was also clearly positive in terms of sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) induction. DNA damage in vivo was also examined with a viscosimetric method, more sensitive than alkaline elution. With this method the results were essentially negative, suggesting that the two methods detect different types of damage. In view of its positivity in many organs and in two short term tests in vivo, the carcinogenic potential of Nitrofurantoin should be reconsidered.

Animals↗

Caspase-3 is the primary activator of apoptotic DNA fragmentation via DNA fragmentation factor-45/inhibitor of caspase-activated DNase inactivation.

Caspase-3 initiates apoptotic DNA fragmentation by proteolytically inactivating DFF45 (DNA fragmentation factor-45)/ICAD (inhibitor of caspase-activated DNase), which releases active DFF40/CAD (caspase-activated DNase), the inhibitor's associated endonuclease. Here, we examined whether other apoptotic proteinases initiated DNA fragmentation via DFF45/ICAD inactivation. In a cell-free assay, caspases-3, -6, -7, -8, and granzyme B initiated benzoyloxycarbonyl-Asp-Glu-Val-Asp (DEVD) cleaving caspase activity, DFF45/ICAD inactivation, and DNA fragmentation, but calpain and cathepsin D failed to initiate these events. Strikingly, only the DEVD cleaving caspases, caspase-3 and caspase-7, inactivated DFF45/ICAD and promoted DNA fragmentation in an in vitro DFF40/CAD assay, suggesting that granzyme B, caspase-6, and caspase-8 promote DFF45/ICAD inactivation and DNA fragmentation indirectly by activating caspase-3 and/or caspase-7. In vitro, however, caspase-3 inactivated DFF45/ICAD and promoted DNA fragmentation more effectively than caspase-7 and endogenous levels of caspase-7 failed to inactivate DFF45/ICAD in caspase-3 null MCF7 cells and extracts. Together, these data suggest that caspase-3 is the primary inactivator of DFF45/ICAD and therefore the primary activator of apoptotic DNA fragmentation.

Apoptosis↗

Lack of obvious 50 kilobase pair DNA fragments in DNA fragmentation factor 45-deficient thymocytes upon activation of apoptosis.

The DNA fragmentation factor 45 (DFF45/ICAD) is a key subunit of a heterodimeric DNase complex critical for the induction of DNA fragmentation during apoptosis in vivo. To further assess the importance of DFF45 in chromosomal DNA degradation, we induced apoptosis in wild-type control and DFF45 deficient thymocytes and compared the cleavage of chromosomal DNA to 50 kilobase pair size fragments. We found that there is a lack of obvious large chromosomal DNA fragments upon treatments by various apoptotic agents in DFF45 deficient thymocytes. The major organ systems in the DFF45 mutant mice either two months or fifteen months of age appear normal. These results suggest that functional DFF45 is required for cleavage of DNA into both large size and oligonucleosomal size fragments in thymocytes during apoptosis. However, deficiency in DFF45 apparently does not significantly affect normal mouse development and tissue homeostasis.

Age Factors↗

Excision of DNA fragments corresponding to the unit-length a sequence of herpes simplex virus type 1 and terminus variation predominate on one side of the excised fragment.

DNA fragments corresponding to the unit-length a sequence of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) were identified in HSV-1 DNA preparations extracted by the method of Hirt. The DNA fragments were molecularly cloned, and nucleotide sequences were determined. Most termini of the fragments were at sites on DR1 corresponding to the termini of linear HSV-1 DNA generated by the cleavage-packaging system. In one-step growth experiments, DNA fragments of the unit-length a sequence appeared simultaneously with the termini of linear HSV-1 DNAs produced by cleavage of circular and concatemeric DNAs. Therefore, excision of the unit-length a sequence appeared closely related to the cleavage-packaging system. Termini of the excised DNA fragments of the variant a sequence with two DR2 arrays varied on the L-component side, while termini on the S-component side were at the site on DR1 corresponding to the authentic cleavage site. It is thus assumed that the cleavage-packaging system functions adequately on the DR1 second distal from the S component, and cleavages of other DR1 are rare and less accurate. If this notion is tenable, then most termini on the S-component side of the excised DNA fragments are derived from the second DR1 properly cleaved and should be constant, while termini on the L-component side are from regions on and around the DR1 third distal from the S component and may be variable. Cleavage of DR1 is likely to be affected by the topological relationship with the S component.

Animals↗

Do nuclear condensation or fragmentation and DNA fragmentation reflect the mode of neuronal death?

It is generally believed that nuclear condensation and fragmentation as well as DNA fragmentation reflect the events related to the neuronal apoptosis. Our report demonstrates that severe oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) induced condensation and fragmentation of nuclear chromatin of neurones in primary cultures of cerebellar granule cells without intemucleosomal DNA fragmentation. DNA fragmentation detected by TUNEL assay was seen only after mild OGD or after addition of colchicine but not after severe OGD. Thus, at least in primary cerebellar granule cell cultures, the chromatin condensation and fragmentation cannot be considered as a hallmark of apoptosis but rather reflect the neuronal death despite of its form.

Animals↗

Mapping of early SV40-specific functions by microinjection of different early viral DNA fragments.

DNA sequences within the early simian virus 40 (SV40) genome region responsible for virus-specific tumor (T) and U antigenicity, stimulation of cell DNA synthesis, initiation of late SV40 gene expression and helper function for human adenovirus 2 were confined by experiments using microinjection of different early SV40 DNA fragments. All these early functions were detected in cells supplied with complete early viral information. Cells microinjected with DNA fragments containing about 80, 70 or 60% of thea early SV40 genome were still stained positively when challenged with antibody against T antigen, and the same cells were stimulated for cellular DNA synthesis when about 70% or more of the early viral information was available. DNA sequences at map position 0.67 are required for intracellular early viral transcription.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗

Neuronal death, cytoplasmic calcium and internucleosomal DNA fragmentation: evidence for DNA fragments being released from cells.

Neuronal death, secondary to endogenous agents such as glutamate, may involve changes in cytoplasmic calcium. Besides its well recognized role as a second messenger mediating cellular response, calcium is necessary for the activation of endonuclease(s), resulting in DNA fragmentation and cell death. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between changes in cytoplasmic calcium, DNA fragmentation and neuronal death, using PC12 and NCB-20 cell lines. The calcium ionophore, A23187, caused a dose-dependent increase in cytoplasmic calcium, loss of cell viability, increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)-release, and DNA fragmentation. DNA fragments, typical of internucleosomal digestion of genomic DNA, characteristic of endonuclease(s) activation, were consistently detected in the incubating medium. Release of DNA fragments into the medium was seen with A23187 in concentrations as low as 10 nM, and within an hour of treatment. Furthermore, calcium added to preparations of PC12 nuclei also produced DNA fragmentation, although, less pronounced than when intact cells were treated with A23187. The findings indicate that A23187-induced neuronal death involves the activation of endonuclease(s). The role of cytoplasmic calcium in this process is supported by evidence that A23187 selectively mobilizes cytoplasmic calcium, and that calcium can directly activate endonuclease(s) in nuclear preparations.

Animals↗

Discontinuous buffer system for polyacrylamide and agarose gel electrophoresis of DNA fragments.

DNA fragments up to 9 kb in size were stacked and separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and those up to 50 kb in size by agarose gel electrophoresis, using a discontinuous buffer system. Polyacrylamide gels at pH 8.9, 2 degrees C, 0.01 M ionic strength, yielded sharp bands with DNA loads of 8 micrograms/cm2 of gel of a mixture of 19 DNA fragments in the size range of 72-23130 bp, while agarose gels at pH 8.5, 25 degrees C, provided well-resolved, unperturbed bands at 0.04 M ionic strength with DNA loads of 1 microgram/cm2 of the same mixture. Note that the ionic strength of the agarose gels is comparable to the conventionally used 0.5 x TBE (Tris-borate-EDTA) buffer, while that successfully applied to polyacrylamide is seven-fold less than the ionic strength of conventionally used 1 x TBE buffer, with a substantially shorter duration of electrophoresis as a result. The application of a discontinuous buffer system to the gel electrophoresis of DNA results in (i) Band identification by Rf, the migration distance relative to a sharply defined "buffer front" (moving boundary). This is sufficiently labor saving, compared to determining absolute mobilities, so as to render practical the expression of bands as numbers, with benefits for data storage, statistical manipulations and physico-chemical exploitation of mobility data. The use of Rf's also circumvents loss of precision in mobility measurement resulting from progressive band spreading of dye bands used as a front. (ii) A uniformly and highly concentrated starting zone, beneficial to resolution, is obtained, without the losses by which separate concentration steps are usually burdened.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Base Composition↗

Cross-reactions of human lupus autoantibodies with 8-methoxypsoralen photomodified DNA fragments.

DNA fragments of around 200 base pair (average size) have been covalently crosslinked with 8-methoxypsoralen under 365 nm UV light. The photoadduct, induced antibodies in rabbits with a titer of > 1:12,800 by direct binding ELISA. Binding data showed that the induced antibodies are conformation-specific recognizing restricted conformational change at site of crosslinking. Human autoantibodies against DNA, bound not only to native DNA but to the photomodified DNA fragment as well. In addition, binding patterns of SLE sera obtained from different patients were remarkably similar, indicating the recognition of altered conformation of the modified polymer by naturally occurring SLE anti-DNA autoantibodies.

Animals↗

Use of high-molecular-mass polyacrylamides as matrices for microchip electrophoresis of DNA fragments.

DNA fragment analysis requires the use of polymer solutions as sieving matrices. Generally, such matrices are constituted of high-molar-weight polymers employed at a concentration higher than their entanglement threshold concentration. These polymer solutions are highly viscous and difficult to use in the narrow channels of a microchip. Ultralarge polyacrylamides synthesized via a nonconventional method, being the low-temperature plasma-induced polymerization (PIP), were used as DNA sieving matrices for microchip electrophoresis. The distinctive features of these polymers (ultralarge molecular mass and linearity) allow their use at a dilute concentration. Dilute PIP polyacrylamides revealed a constant value of resolution in a broad range of DNA fragment sizes (123 bp-1353 bp), thus proving to be effective in common genotyping applications. Moreover, the low viscosity of the dilute solutions enable it to be easier and faster in filling the channel between runs, thus enhancing the throughput of the microchip devices.

Acrylic Resins↗

Active oxygen-mediated chromosomal 1-2 Mbp giant DNA fragmentation into internucleosomal DNA fragmentation in apoptosis of glioma cells induced by glutamate.

C6 glioma cells treated with 10 mM glutamate reduced intracellular GSH to one-seventh of the initial level, and induced cytolysis accompanied by apoptosis. The treated cells produced extracellular H2O2. The cytolysis of the C6 cells induced by glutamate was prevented by antioxidants such as N-acetylcysteine (NAC), ascorbic acid (ASC), catalase, and NaN3, iron chelators such as deferoxamine and 1,10-phenanthroline, and oxygen radical scavengers such as 5,5'-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO) and alpha-phenyl-tert-butyl nitrone (PBN). The effect of these antioxidants, iron chelators, and oxygen radical scavengers on the cytolysis of C6 cells was dependent on the dose and the intracellular GSH level. Furthermore, 1-2 Mbp chromosomal DNA (giant DNA) fragments were observed during cytolysis. The giant DNA fragments were further cleaved into smaller DNA fragments of 200-800 kbp, and then to fragments of less than 300 kbp in size including chromosomal ladder DNA fragments. Such serial chromosomal DNA degradations induced by glutamate were also inhibited by addition of these antioxidants, iron chelators, and oxygen radical scavengers. These findings suggest that glutamate induces GSH depletion, and consequently, apoptosis through endogenously produced active oxygen species in C6 glioma cells and that the apoptosis is accompanied by 1-2 Mbp giant DNA fragmentation prior to the internucleosomal DNA fragmentation.

Acetylcysteine↗

Variable stringency hybridization of polymerase chain reaction amplified HIV-1 DNA fragments.

DNA isolated from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of HIV-1 seropositive individuals was used for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of gag and envelope regions. Eight aliquots of the amplified DNA fragments have been subjected to Southern/dot blot analysis, hybridizing with 32P-labelled-BH10 (HIV-1 strain IIIB) at low stringency. After the filters had been autoradiographed, they were cut so that each hybridized band/dot could be subject to variable stringency washing using various ionic concentrations at a fixed temperature. The filter was reconstructed so that the effect of the variable stringency wash might be visualized following a second exposure to Kodak film. The level of activity for each band/dot was measured by counting the 32P or by densitometry analysis of the photographic record. The results allow a plot to be made of the decrease in bound radioactivity against ionic strength. By comparison with a standard curve obtained for HIV-1 strain IIIB amplified fragments subject to similar hybridization and analysis, an estimation of the degree of nucleotide mismatch relative to the BH10 DNA probe can be obtained. The technique provides a rapid means of characterizing PCR amplified fragments.

DNA, Viral↗

[X-chromosome inversion in Drosophila melanogaster accompanied by a mosaic-type position effect: an analysis using cloned DNA fragments].

DNA fragments carrying the genes affected by position effect variegation in the In(1LR)pn2a chromosome were revealed. In situ hybridizations demonstrate preservation of specific DNA sequences in the polytene chromosome regions containing the inactivated genes. It was shown that both euchromatic-heterochromatic boundaries in the In(1LR)pn2a chromosome contain the mobile element B104 (roo).

Animals↗

Bovine leukosis virus: recloning of specific DNA fragments.

DNA fragments generated by Bam HI restriction endonuclease digestion of the provirus of bovine leukosis virus (BLV) was recloned in several plasmids. Recombinant plasmids containing X-region, env gene and a part of pol gene were prepared in pBR322, and in a plasmid containing promotor PR. Fragments env gene and a part of pol gene inserted were also into the pSV2-dhfr plasmid which has the both bacterial and eukaryotic promotors together with the gene for folic acid reductase. The expression possibility of these inserted BLV sequences either in mammalian cells after transfection or in bacteria is now tested.

Cloning, Molecular↗

Role of ginsenoside-Rd in cisplatin-induced renal injury: special reference to DNA fragmentation.

DNA of LLC-PK(1) cells cultured with cisplatin was fragmented to produce low-molecular-weight structures. Agarose gel electrophoresis of the DNA revealed a ladder pattern characteristic of apoptosis, indicating the induction of apoptosis by cisplatin. However, the degree of apoptosis was lower in cells cultured with cisplatin in the presence of ginsenoside-Rd, and this was accompanied by suppressed leakage of lactic dehydrogenase into the culture medium. The ladder pattern was detected on electrophoresis of DNA in renal tissue samples obtained from rats given an intravenous injection of cisplatin. Such DNA fragmentation was less conspicuous in rats given ginsenoside-Rd orally for 30 days prior to cisplatin administration. Significant suppression of the DNA fragmentation was also demonstrated by densitometry, and measurement of urea nitrogen and creatinine in blood also showed a marked decrease in their respective levels in rats administered ginsenoside-Rd. The present findings suggest that ginsenoside-Rd ameliorates cisplatin-induced renal injury, a process in which apoptosis plays a central role, and thereby causes restoration of the renal function.

Animals↗

The 40-kDa subunit of DNA fragmentation factor induces DNA fragmentation and chromatin condensation during apoptosis.

We report here the reconstitution of a pathway that leads to the apoptotic changes in nuclei by using recombinant DNA fragmentation factor (DFF), a heterodimeric protein of 40 and 45 kDa. Coexpression of DFF40 and DFF45 is required to generate recombinant DFF, which becomes activated when DFF45 is cleaved by caspase-3. The cleaved fragments of DFF45 dissociate from the DFF40, the active component of DFF. Purified DFF40 exhibited an intrinsic DNase activity that was markedly stimulated by chromatin-associated proteins histone H1 and high mobility group proteins. DFF40 also triggered chromatin condensation when incubated with nuclei. These data suggest that DFF40 is sufficient to trigger both DNA fragmentation and chromatin condensation during apoptosis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗