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Tissue distribution and mode of DNA methylation in mice by methyl methanesulphonate and N-methyl-N' -nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine: lack of thymic lymphoma induction and low extent of methylation of target tissue DNA at 0-6 of guanine.

The methylating agents methyl methanesulphonate (MMS) and N-methyl N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG), administered by single i.p. injection in mice failed to yield thymic lymphoma at doses around 60% of the LD50 values, in contrast to MNUA which gives a high yield of tumours by this route. Comparison of the tissue distribution and mode of DNA methylation by these agents showed a positive correlation with ability to methylate the 0-6 atom of guanine in DNA of the target tissues thymus and bone marrow and tumorigeneis. MMS gave a low yield of this product due to its relatively low Sn1 reactivity but was able to methylate DNA extensively at other sites in the target tissues and other organs examined. MNNG despite its ability to methylate 0-6 of guanine in DNA in vitro to the same relative extent as the potent carcinogen MNUA, methylated DNA of thymus and bone marrow to a very small extent in vivo but was able to methylate DNA in certain other tissues nearer the site of i.p. injection. These findings contrast with the general relatively extensive methylation of 0-6 of guanine in DNA of the target tissues and other organs by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNUA).

Animals

Reaction of derivatives of methyl 2,3-O-benzylidene-6-deoxy-alpha-L-mannopyranoside with butyllithium: synthesis of methyl 2,6-dideoxy-4-O-methyl-alpha-L-erythro-hexopyranosid-3-ulose.

Methyl 2,3-O-benzylidene-6-deoxy-alpha-L-mannopyranoside (2) reacted with butyllithium to give a mixture of 1,5-anhydro-3-C-butyl-1,2,6-trideoxy-L-ribo-hex-1-enitol (3) and its L-arabino analogue (4), together with methyl 2,3,6-trideoxy-alpha-L-erythro-hex-2-enopyranoside (5). In contrast, the 4-O-methyl-analogue (8) of 2 was converted by butyllithium into methyl 2,6-dideoxy-4-O-methyl-alpha-L-erythro-hexo-pyranosid-3-ulose (9), which was further characterized as its oxime 10. The 4-O-benzyl analogue of 8, obtained as two separate diastereoisomers (6 and 7) differing in configuration at C-2 of the dioxolane ring gave a complex misture of products on treatment with butyllithium.

Daunorubicin

Chromosome damage in the bone marrow of mice treated with the methylating agents methyl methanesulphonate and N-methyl-N-nitrosourea in the presence or absence of caffeine, and its relationship with thymoma induction.

A single dose (0.8 mmole/kg) of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNUA) causes significantly more chromosome damage in the bone marrow of mice than a dose of equal toxicity to the animals, (1.1 mmole/kg) of methyl methanesulphonate (MMS) 6, 24 and 48 h after treatment. At these doses both agents alkylate bone-marrow DNA to similar extents, but only MNUA induces thymic lymphomata. The greater chromosome-damaging effects of MNUA are ascribed to the known differences in the pattern of DNA alkylation by each agent, in particular the much higher levels of O-6 methylguanine and phosphotriesters produced by MNUA. The greater chromosome-damaging effect of MNUA may account for its higher toxicity to the bone marrow which in turn may be a significant factor in the induction of thymomata. The enhancement by caffeine of chromosome damage seen particularly 48 h after MMS-treatment suggests that post-replication repair protects cells from the effects of DNA-methylation in vivo.

Animals

Autoxidation of methyl linoleate. Separation and analysis of isomeric mixtures of methyl linoleate hydroperoxides and methyl hydroxylinoleates.

The mixture of conjugated diene hyperperoxide isomers obtained from autoxidation of methyl linoleate was separated by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Four major isomers were obtained from adsorption chromatography and identified as the 9 and 13 positional isomers having the trans-trans and cis-trans configurations. The latter geometrical isomers have the trans double bond adjacent to the hydroperoxide group. The hydroxy compounds (methyl hydroxylinoleates) obtained from the hydroperoxides by NaBH4 reduction were similarly separated but with improved resolution. This is the first instance of the complete separation of these compounds and provides a rapid method for their analysis. Unlike adsorption chromatography, reversed-phase chromatography separates the mixtures only according to the geometrical isomerism of the double bonds and not according to the position of the hydroxy or hydroperoxide function.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid

Sterol synthesis. Chemical synthesis, structure determination and metabolism of 14 alpha-methyl-5 alpha-cholest-7-en-3 beta, 15 beta-diol and 14 alpha-methyl-5 alpha-cholest-7-en-3 beta, 15 alpha-diol.

14alpha-Methyl-5alpha-cholest-7-en-3beta,15beta-diol and 14alpha-methyl-5alpha-cholest-7-en-3beta,15alpha-diol have been prepared by chemical synthesis. Unequivocal establishment of these structures was based upon X-ray crystallographic analysis of 3beta-p-bromobenzoyloxy-14alpha-methyl-5alpha-cholest-7-en-15beta-ol and was supported by other spectroscopic data. Spectroscopic data were presented for the following compounds prepared in this study: 3beta-benzoyloxy-5alpha-cholest-8(14)-en-15-one, 3beta-benzoyloxy-14alpha-methyl-5alpha-cholest-7-en-15-one, 3beta-benzoyloxy-14alpha-methyl-5alpha-cholest-7-en-15beta-ol, 14alpha-methyl-5alpha-cholest-7-en-3beta, 15beta-diol, 14alpha-methyl-5alpha-cholest-7-en-3beta, 15alpha-cholest-7-en-15beta-diol, 14alpha-methyl-5alpha-cholest-7-en-3beta, 15alpha-diol, 3beta, 15alpha-bis-benzoyloxy-14alpha-methyl-5alpha-cholest-7-ene, 3beta-p-bromobenzoyloxy-14alpha-methyl-5alpha-cholest-7-en-15beta-ol and 3beta, 15beta-bis-p-bromobenzoyloxy-14alpha-methyl-5alpha-cholest-7-ene. Studies of the metabolism of [16-3H]-14alpha-methyl-5alpha-cholest-7-en-3beta, 15beta-diol and [16-3H]-14 alpha-methyl-5 alpha-cholest-7-en-3beta, 15alpha-diol in liver homogenates of female rats indicated that only the 3beta, 15beta-diol was convertible to cholesterol.

Animals

Evaluation of vaginal delivery systems containing 15[s]15-methyl PGF2alpha methyl ester.

Silicone vaginal delivery systems containing 15[S]15-methyl-PGF2alpha methyl ester have been evaluated in vitro, and in vivo in the rhesus monkey. Three types of vaginal devices have been formulated to contain different concentrations of drug. The cumulative amount of 15[s]15-methyl-PGF2alpha methyl ester released in vitro from a planar silicone rubber matrix was dependent upon the initial loading dose of the prostaglandin. Drug-containing vaginal rings were evaluated in early pregnant and mid-trimester pregnant monkeys. Within 10 min after ring administration there was an increase in the amplitude and frequency of contractions. In mid-trimester pregnant animals there was an initial increase in plasma progesterone and then a decrease following treatment, while there was a progressive decrease in plasma progesterone in early pregnant animals. All 6 mid-trimester pregnant monkeys treated with vaginal rings aborted. Pregnancy was terminated in 4 of 5 early pregnant monkeys treated with vaginal rings. Blood levels of 15-methyl-PGF2alpha rose rapidly to attain a peak 1 hr after treatment with vaginal rings. After the peak, plasma levels of 15-methul-PGF2alpha declined to a plateau which was fairly constant between 2 and 8 hr. Vaginal silicone-gelatin laminates containing 15[s]15-methyl-PGF2alpha methyl ester were also effective in causing an increase in uterine muscle activity and terminating pregnancy in mid-trimester in pregnant monkeys. Plasma progesterone also increased shortly after treatment in these animals, and then declined after the peak at 8 hr. The plasma profile of 15-methyl-PGF2alpha when animals were treated with these vaginal laminates was different from that observed following ring treatment. In pregnant animals the concentration of 15-methyl-PGF2alpha rose more slowly following laminate insertion, and the peak values were considerably less than those following ring treatment. Vaginal devices used in monkeys and humans caused plasma concentrations of 15-methyl-PGF2alpha that were generally lower than those observed in monkeys treated with either vaginal rings or laminates. These studies have demonstrated that silicone vaginal delivery systems containing 15[S]15-methyl-PGF2alpha methyl ester result in sustained and fairly constant plasma levels of 15-methyl-PGF2alpha, and terminate both 1st- and 2nd-trimester pregnancies in the monkey. The vaginal device offers the possibility for self-administration of PGs for early pregnancy termination and menstrual cycle regulation.

Abortion, Induced

Methylation of the ribosomal proteins in Escherichia coli. Nature and stoichiometry of the methylated amino acids in 50S ribosomal proteins.

Methylated ribosomal proteins from Escherichia coli 50S subunit are localized by growing cells in a medium containing (1-14C)methionine and (3H-methyl)-methionine and comparing the 3H/14C ratio for each of the 50S ribosomal proteins. The following proteins are methylated: L11, L1, L3, L5, L7, L8, L9, L12, L18, and L33. The nature and stoichiometry of the methylated amino acid(s) in each of the methylated proteins are determined. Protein L11 is the most heavily methylated of all the 50S subunit proteins. This protein has previously been implicated in the peptidyl transferase reaction during protein synthesis (K. H. Nierhaus and V. Montejo (1973), Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. U. S. 47, 1588-1602). Three proteins (L1, L3, and L5) have intermediate levels of methylation and contain about 0.4-0.6 methyl groups each per molecule of protein. Five other proteins (L7, L8, L9, L12, and L18) are also methylated to a slight extent (-0.1 methyl group/molecule of protein). One unknown methylated neutral amino acid was detected in protein L11 and at least one and possibly two other unidentified methylated amino acids appeared to be present in protein L33.

Amino Acids

Rapid determination of methylated purines in DNA treated with N-methyl-N-nitrosourea using high-performance liquid chromatography.

A method for determining methylated purine bases in [3H]N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MeNOUr) treated DNA is described. The method combines reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) of methylated DNA after hydrolysis in dilute acid with the determination of radioactivity in the fractionated eluates. The peaks of the respective methylated purines were indentified by the use of internal standards. The method allows quantitative separation of 3-methyl-adenine (m3Ade), 7-methyl-adenine (m7Ade), 3-methyl-guanine (m3Gua), 7-methyl-guanine (m7Gua) and O6-methyl-guanine (m6Gua) within 20 min. Thus the total time required for determination of methylated purines is limited only by radioactivity measurements in the respective fractions.

Adenine

The synthesis, biological activity and metabolism of 15-[6,7-14C2]- and 15-[21-3H]methyl retinone, 15-methyl retinol and 15-dimethyl retinol in rats.

15-Methyl retinone, 15-methyl retinol and 15-dimethyl retinol were synthesized from all-trans retinoic acid. The absorption maxima and molar absorption coefficients (epsilon) in ethanol are: 15-methyl retinone (372 nm, 47 400), 15-methyl retinol (325 nm, 72 000) and 15-dimethyl retinol (325 nm, 72 200). The latter two compounds show fluorescence at 470 nm when excited around 320 nm, but with intensities 40 and 70%, respectively, that of retinol. All react with trifluoroacetic acid in chloroform, and the alcohols are dehydrated in ethanolic HCl. Relative to all-trans retinyl acetate, the biological activities in rat growth assay (+/-S.E.) are: 15-methyl retinone (4.7 +/- 1.5%), 15-methyl retinol (16.2 +/- 2.3%) and 15-dimethyl retinol (0.34 +/- 0.07%). The monomethyl derivatives actively support testicular development and spermatogenesis, but none of the three analogues prevents degeneration of the retina in retinoate-treated vitamin A-deficient rats. By using [6,7-14C2]-, [11,12-3H2]- and [21-3H]-labeled analogues, the 15-methyl derivatives were shown to be well absorbed in the gut but poorly stored (1-3% of the dose) in the liver. Metabolites are excreted extensively (25-65%) in the bile, however, largely as glucuronides, and to some extent (15%) in the urine. 15-Methyl retinone is reduced to 15-methyl retinol in the intestinal mucosa but not in the liver, and fatty acyl esters of the alcohols are present in liver. Insofar as we could judge, none of these 15-methyl analogues is converted into retinol. Both monomethyl and dimethyl retinols are transported in plasma in vivo in the retinol-binding protein fraction. Interestingly, the dosages required for half saturation and saturation of the plasma transport system are inversely related, in a rough way, to the biological activities in growth.

Animals

RNA methylation and control of eukaryotic RNA biosynthesis. Effects of cycloleucine, a specific inhibitor of methylation, on ribosomal RNA maturation.

The role of RNA methylation in the control of ribosome production in mammalian cells has been reinvestigated through a study of the effects in vivo of cycloleucine, a specific and reversible inhibitor of nucleic acid methylations. No close coupling is observed between methylation and transcription. During an extensive blocking of methylation, the synthesis of preribosomal 45-S RNA continues, although at a slightly reduced rate. Transcription and methylation can be temporarily uncoupled in vivo without impairing significantly the efficiency of the subsequent maturation of the transcript which takes place when the methylation is resumed. At the post-transcriptional level, two main observations are made. First, the cleavage pattern of ribosomal RNA is not qualitatively modified by the drug treatment. Preribosomal 45-S RNA which is synthesized during an extensive blocking of methylations (95%) is cleaved in vivo in a stepwise fashion into molecules resembling the species of the normal processing. Undermethylation does not result in the appearance of new size products and no extensive or rapid degredation of rRNA precursors can be detected. Second, the global efficiency of the process of ribosomal RNA maturation is severely affected, in quantitative terms; the undermethylation partially inhibits several stages in the maturation pathway and does not block selectively at a definite step of processing, as previously reported by others. Two main modifications are observed. (a) In the nucleus, the life times of the various undermethylated intermediates of ribosomal RNA maturation are markedly increased and a significant accumulation of these forms is detected by long-term labelling studies. (b) The rate of appearance of ribosomal 28-S RNA into the cytoplasm is severely affected (85-90% inhibition), in much higher proportions than the formation of its immediate precursor, nuclear 28-S RNA, thus suggesting a particular sensitivity to a lack of methylation of the last stage of preribosome maturation (possibly the release to cytoplasm). Finally, if a normal level of methylation does not appear to be stringently required for the completion of ribosomal RNA maturation, our results indicate that the degree of RNA methylation can modulate the general efficiency of the maturation processess.

Amino Acids

Genetics of ribosomal protein methylation in Escherichia coli. II. A mutant lacking a new type of methylated amino acid, N5-methylglutamine, in protein L3.

The ribosomes of an Escherichia coli mutant, designated prm-2, can be methylated in vitro by an enzymatic fraction from wild-type. This enzyme is inactive on the ribosomes from another mutant, prm-1, is reported previously to be methyl group-deficient in protein L11. In vitro methylation of prm-2 ribosomes resulted in the incorporation of about one methyl group per molecule of protein L3. After acid hydrolysis, all the methyl groups were found in a very basic compound which was identified as methylamine. This compound could have been generated by acid hydrolysis of N-methylated amide-groups from glutamine or asparagine. Therefore, chemically-synthesized N4-methyl-asparagine and N5-methylglutamine were chromatographed together with an enzymatic hydrolysate of methylated prm-2 proteins. In all the chromatogrphic systems studied the methylated amino acid was found in the same position as N5'-methylglutamine. These results indicate that mutant prm-2 lacks one residue of N5-methylglutamine present in ribosomal protein L3 of wild type E. coli.

Bacterial Proteins

Attractants and repellents influence methylation and demethylation of methyl-accepting chemotaxis proteins in an extract of Escherichia coli.

During bacterial chemotaxis, attractants and repellents alter the methylation levels of the methyl-accepting chemotaxis proteins (MCPs). These methylation levels represent a balance between two enzymatic processes: methylation and demethylation. In vivo experiments previously have shown that chemoeffectors influence the demethylation process; effects on the methylation system have not been reported. Here we show that in a cell-free extract of Escherichia coli both methylation and demethylation of the MCPs are affected by attractants and repellents. Attractants enhance methylation and inhibit demethylation. Repellents inhibit methylation and stimulate demethylation. The cell-free system provides an opportunity for further study of the mechanisms by which attractants and repellents influence the levels of methylation of the MCPs.

Bacterial Proteins

Characterization of DNA methylation in PBMCs and donor-matched iPSCs shows age-related methylation is reset during stem cell reprogramming.

DNA methylation is an important epigenetic mechanism that helps define and maintain cellular functions. It is influenced by many factors, including environmental exposures, genotype, cell type, sex, and aging. Since age is the primary risk factor for developing neurodegenerative diseases, it is important to determine if age-related DNA methylation is retained when cells are reprogrammed to an induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (iPSC) state. Here, we selected peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs; n = 99) from a cohort of diverse and healthy individuals enrolled in the Genetic and Epigenetic Signatures of Translational Aging Laboratory Testing (GESTALT) study to reprogram to iPSCs. After reprogramming, the resulting iPSCs were evaluated for DNA methylation signatures to determine if they reflect the confounding factors of aging and environmental effects. Data from genome-wide DNA methylation arrays in both cell types showed that age-related methylation measured by epigenetic clocks is largely reset to an early methylation age after reprogramming of PBMCs to iPSCs. We further examined the epigenetic age of each cell type using an Epigenome-wide Association Study (EWAS) and identified a set of methylation Quantitative Trait Loci in each cell type. Our results show that age-related DNA methylation is largely reset in iPSCs, and each cell type has a unique set of methylation sites that are modified by population-level genetic variation.

DNA Methylation

[Methylation of ribonuclease and albumin by methyl cobalamin].

The capacity of methyl cobalamine (14CH3-B12) to methylate RNase and albumin in in vitro systems was studied. Under the experimental conditions, 14CH3-B12 methylated proteins about 100--1000 times more actively than S-adenosyl-methionine, a universal donor of methyl groups. The nature of buffer and pH 2 to 8 had no noticeable effect on the methylating capacity of 14CH3-B12. However, at higher pH rate of incorporation of methyl groups slightly increased. The 14CH3-groups incorporated into RNase amino acids remained stable upon illumination, in the presence of KCN in the incubation medium, and when heated in 20% HCl for 24--72 hr at 105 degrees. Methylation did not influence the enzymic properties of RNase. The automatic amino acid analyzer showed three peaks of the label of modified amino acids in the hydrolzates of methylated RNase, one of which corresponded to methylated methionine.

Albumins

Inhibition of DNA methylation by S-adenosylethionine with the production of methyl-deficient DNA in regenerating rat liver.

Ethionine, a liver carcinogen, was administered p.o. (300 mg/kg) to rats 17 hr after partial hepatectomy. At 6 hr after administration of the ethionine, hepatic S-adenosylethionine levels were 30- to 40-fold greater than the hepatic level of S-adenosylmethionine. A 10-fold ratio of S-adenosylethionine to S-adenosylmethionine still persited at 24 hr after ethionine administration. When given at 17 hr after partial hepatectomy, ethionine produced a 30% inhibition of DNA synthesis, measured by the incorporation of [methyl-3H]thymidine at 23 to 24 hr after partial hepatectomy (6 to 7 hr after ethionine administration). DNA synthesized during this interval was methyl deficient as judged by the reduced incorporation of radioactivity from L-[methyl-3H]methionine into 5-methylcytosine residues of DNA. In an assay for DNA methylation in vitro using whole nuclei, the methyl-deficient DNA was methylated by S-adenosylmethionine 8 times more than was control DNA; the DNA methylation was competitively inhibited by S-adenosylethionine. These data suggest that S-adenosylethionine, formed in vivo from ethionine, competitively inhibits the methylation of DNA in vivo by S-adenosylmethionine, resulting in the production of methyl-deficient DNA.

Animals