Diol Epoxides Of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Research Articles

UVA light-induced DNA cleavage by selected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are ubiquitous environmental carcinogens (Connell et al. 1997; Conney, 1982; Dipple, 1985; Lesko, 1984). They are produced during forest fire, volcanic eruption, incomplete burning of fuel and other materials, tobacco smoke, and food processing (Baum, 1978; Connell et al. 1997). Exposure to PAHs has been linked to the development of skin and lung cancers as it is summarized in the 8th Report on Carcinogens (National Toxicology Program, 1998). PAHs are considered relatively nontoxic themselves, but they can be activated after entering the cell. The first activation pathway is metabolism. PAH metabolic products, diol-epoxides or diones, are known to be carcinogenic through DNA covalent product formation (Connell et al. 1997; Conney, 1982; Devanesan et al. 1996; Dipple, 1985; Lesko, 1984). The diol-epoxides can alkylate DNA, usually form a bond to the exocyclic amino group of the guanine residue in duplex DNA (Geacintov et al. 1997). The diones are able to oxidatively damage DNA by generation of free radicals, which either cause DNA damages or form DNA covalent products (Chen et al. 1996; Devanesan et al. 1996). Another pathway that enhances PAH toxicity is light activation. There have been studies on the photo-induced toxicity of PAH mixtures or individuals in the marine sediment toward micro-organisms and plants in the aquatic systems (Pelletier et al. 1997; Swartz et al. 1997). It is found that PAHs are generally more toxic when the system is exposed to the simulated solar radiation (ssr) than if it is kept in the dark. The increase in toxicity due to ssr can exceed 100 times (Swartz et al., 1997). It is suggested that PAHs act as photosensitizers (Pelletier et al. 1997). After absorbing UV light energy, PAHs in the excited-state may transfer its energy to molecular oxygen to produce reactive oxygen species that can cause a variety of damages to the cell. The phototoxicity can also be due to DNA covalent product formation from earlier studies. These works showed that, under light irradiation, benzo[a]pyrene can form DNA covalent adducts or cause DNA strand breakage (Blackburn et al. 1977; Brooks and Lawley, 1964; Hoard et al. 1981; Santamaria et al. 1966; Striste et al. 1980). The presence of benzo[a]pyrene can also increase the formation of 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanine (Liu et al., 1998), a compound generated by oxidative damage of DNA. These DNA damage mechanisms have been suggested to relate to tumor induction and other adverse effects (Brooks and Lawley, 1964; Camalier et al. 1981; Santamaria et al. 1966). However, the studies so far have mostly focused on benzo[a]pyrene alone. In this research, we will examine light-induced DNA cleavage by the environmental contaminants: a series of 3, 4, 5-ring PAHs and their derivatives.

Specificities of human glutathione S-transferase isozymes toward anti-diol epoxides of methylchrysenes.

The specificities of human glutathione (GSH) S-transferase (GST) isozymes of class alpha (hGSTA1-1), mu (hGSTM1-1) and pi (hGSTP1-1), including the three allelic forms of hGSTP1-1 [hGSTP1-1(I104,A113), hGSTP1-1(V104,A113) and hGSTP1-1(V104,V113)], in catalyzing the GSH conjugation of anti-diol epoxide stereoisomers of 5-methylchrysene (anti-5-MeCDE) have been examined. The specific activities of human GSTs were significantly higher toward (+)-anti-5-MeCDE than toward the (-)-enantiomer of anti-5-MeCDE. All three variants of hGSTP1-1 were significantly more efficient than either hGSTA1-1 or hGSTM1-1 in GSH conjugation of (+)-anti-5-MeCDE. The catalytic efficiencies of hGSTP1-1 variants toward (+)-anti-5-MeCDE were in the order hGSTP1-1(I104,A113) > hGSTP1-1(V104,V113) > hGSTP1-1(V104,A113). The present study suggests that the I104,A113 allele, which is most frequent in human populations, may play a major role in the detoxification of (+)-anti-5-MeCDE. This may point to specificity, because previous studies from our laboratory have shown that the hGSTP1-1(V104,V113) isoform is significantly more efficient than the other two variants of hGSTP1-1 in catalyzing GSH conjugation of (+)-anti-7R,8S-dihydroxy-9S,10R-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene [(+)-anti-BPDE], the ultimate carcinogen of benzo[a]pyrene. Even though the mechanism of the differences in the activities of hGSTP1-1 variants toward anti-5-MeCDE versus anti-BPDE remains to be elucidated, it seems that the molecular configuration of the diol epoxide is an important determinant of the activity of hGSTP1-1 isoforms toward polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon diol epoxides.

Differences in the catalytic efficiencies of allelic variants of glutathione transferase P1-1 towards carcinogenic diol epoxides of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Previous studies have identified allelic variants of the human glutathione transferase (GST) Pi gene and showed that the two different encoded proteins with isoleucine (GSTP1-1/I-105) or valine (GSTP1-1/V-105) at position 105, respectively, differ significantly in their catalytic activities with model substrates. Moreover, recent epidemiological studies have demonstrated that individuals differing in the expression of these allelic variants also differ in susceptibility to tumour formation in certain organs, including such in which polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) may be etiological factors. In the present study the catalytic efficiencies (kcat/Km) of these GSTP1-1 variants were determined with a number of stereoisomeric bay-region diol epoxides, known as the ultimate mutagenic and carcinogenic metabolites of PAH, including those from chrysene, benzo[a]pyrene and dibenz[a,h]anthracene. In addition, GSTP1-1 mutants in which amino residue 105 is alanine (GSTP1-1/A-105) or tryptophan (GSTP1-1/W-105) have been constructed and characterized. GSTP1-1/V-105 was found to be more active than GSTP1-1/I-105 in conjugation reactions with the bulky diol epoxides of PAH, being up to 3-fold as active towards the anti- and syn-diol epoxide enantiomers with R-absolute configuration at the benzylic oxiranyl carbon. Comparing the four enzyme variants, GSTP1-1/A-105 generally demonstrated the highest kcat/Km value and GSTP1-1/W-105 the lowest with the anti-diol epoxides. A close correlation was observed between the volume occupied by the amino acid residue at position 105 and the value of kcat/Km. With the syn-diol epoxides, such a correlation was observed with alanine, valine and isoleucine, whereas tryptophan was associated with increased kcat/Km values. The mutational replacement of isoleucine with alanine or tryptophan at position 105 did not alter the enantio selectivity of the GSTP1-1 variants compared with the naturally occurring allelic variants GSTP1-1/I-105 and GSTP1-1/V-105. Since the amino acid at position 105 forms part of the substrate binding site (H-site) the effect of increasing bulkiness is expected to cause restricted access of the diol epoxide and proper alignment of the two reactants for efficient glutathionylation. In conclusion, the present study indicates that individuals who are homozygous for the allele GSTP1* B (coding for GSTP1-1/V-105) display a higher susceptibility to malignancy because of other factors than a decreased catalytic efficiency of GSTP1-1/V-105 in the detoxication of carcinogenic diol epoxides of benzo[a]pyrene or structurally related PAH.

Identification of subdomain IB in human serum albumin as a major binding site for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon epoxides.

Covalent adducts between serum albumin and low molecular weight organic electrophiles are formed with a high degree of regioselectivity mostly for nucleophilic amino acid residues located in subdomains IIA and IIIA. Previous studies have indicated that diol epoxide metabolites of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) may target residues in a different subdomain. The regioselectivity of PAH epoxide and diol epoxide binding was examined in this study by reaction of human serum albumin in vitro with the racemic trans,anti-isomers of 7,8-dihydrobenzo[a]pyrene-7,8-diol 9,10-epoxide (1), 2,3-dihydrofluoranthene-2,3-diol 1,10b-epoxide (2), 1,2-dihydrochrysene-1,2-diol 3,4-epoxide (5), 6-methyl-1,2-dihydrochrysene-1,2-diol 3,4-epoxide (6), 5-methyl-1,2-dihydrochrysene-1,2-diol 3,4-epoxide (7), 3,4-dihydrobenzo[c]phenanthrene-3,4-diol 1,2-epoxide (8), 11,12-dihydrobenzo[g]chrysene-11,12-diol 13,14-epoxide (9), and 11,12-dihydrodibenzo[a,l]pyrene-11,12-diol 13,14-epoxide (10) and the racemic epoxides cyclopenta[cd]pyrene 3,4-epoxide (3) and benzo[a]pyrene 4,5-epoxide (4) followed by determination of the linkage site. Adducted albumin was digested enzymatically, and digests were chromatographed by reversed-phase HPLC to purify peptide adducts, which were analyzed by electrospray ionization collision-induced dissociation (CID) tandem mass spectrometry. Product ion spectra revealed that adducts fragmented predominantly by cleavage of the peptide-PAH bond with retention of charge by the peptide as well as by the hydrocarbon. Peptide sequences were determined by MS/MS analysis of the peptide ions formed by in-source CID to cleave the adduct bond. Longer peptide sequences established site selectivity by virtue of their uniqueness, while shorter sequences revealed the reactant amino acid within the site. Epoxide 4 and diol epoxides 1, 2, 5, and 6 reacted predominantly with His146; epoxide 3 and diol epoxides 7-9 reacted predominantly with Lys137. Both residues are situated in subdomain IB. The binding site for 10 could not be determined uniquely, but one of the several possibilities was Lys159, which is also located in subdomain IB. The results, taken together with previous findings, demonstrate that the reaction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon epoxides with human serum albumin is highly selective for a small number of residues in subdomain IB.

NMR Conformational Analysis of DNA Duplexes Containing Diol Epoxide Adducts of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

Abstract The principal adducts formed between DNA and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon diol epoxides result from N-alkylation of the exocyclic amino groups of the purine bases by the benzylic carbon atom of the epoxide. To date, the solution conformations of more than a dozen alkylated DNA duplexes have been examined by 2D NMR spectroscopy. For trans opened diol epoxides, oligomer duplexes containing N2-adducts at deoxyguanosine have the hydrocarbon residue lying in the minor groove whereas those containing N6-adducts at deoxyadenosine have the hydrocarbon intercalated within the DNA helix. Absolute configuration at the site of attachment appears to be a major determinant in establishing whether the hydrocarbon lies to the 3′- or the 5′-side of the adducted base. For trans opened deoxyadenosine adducts with R-absolute configuration, the hydrocarbon residue is positioned toward the 5′-end of the adducted strand whereas trans opened deoxyguanosine adducts with R-absolute configuration have the hydrocarbon lo...

5,6-Dimethylchrysene-1,2-Diol-3,4-Epoxide DNA Adducts are Stereoselectively Detected by Antisera Prepared Against the DNA Adducts Formed by the Stereoisomers of Benzo[c]phenanthrene-3,4-Diol-1,2-Epoxide

Abstract Diastereomeric benzo[c]phenanthrene-3,4-diol-1,2-epoxides (B[c]PhDE)-1 and -2 (with the benzylic hydroxyl and epoxide oxygen cis and trans, respectively) are nonplanar polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) with sterically congested fjord regions. Polyclonal antibodies developed against DNA modified with B[c]PhDE-1 or B[c]PhDE-2 exhibited selective recognition of B[c]PhDE-DNA adducts and no cross-reactivity with DNA modified with benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide. To determine if these antisera recognize DNA adducts formed by other PAH diol epoxides with sterically congested bay regions, 5-6-dimethylchrysene-1,2-diol-3,4-epoxide (5,6-diMeCDE)-1 or -2 modified DNA were tested in competitive ELISA assays. 5,6-diMeCDE-2-DNA gave 50% inhibition at 270 fmol of adducts/well with B[c]PhDE-2-DNA (160 fmol adducts/well) and its antiserum, but 5,6-diMeCDE-1-DNA was not an effective competitor. Neither 5,6-diMeCDE-1-DNA nor 5,6-diMeCDE-2-DNA was an effective competitor for B[c]PhDE-1-DNA and its antiseru...

Characteristics of high energy collision-induced dissociation tandem mass spectra of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon diolepoxide adducted peptides

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) diolepoxides are known to covalently modify serum albumin and hemoglobin. Mass spectrometric techniques have proven quite useful in the characterization of the site of adduction on these proteins. To facilitate the study of PAH diolepoxide adducted peptides, model peptide adducts of benzo[a]pyrene- rans-7,8-dihydrodiol-9,10-epoxide [ anti-B aP(9,10)DE] and benzo[ a]anthracene- trans-8,9-dihydrodiol-10,11-epoxide [anti-B aA(10,11)DE] have been synthesized for the purpose of studying their high energy collision-induced dissociation tandem mass spectra. These spectra are dominated by ions produced from cleavage of the peptide—adduct bond with charge retention by the adducting moiety. Such ions allow for the facile identification of adducted peptides in a mixture by use of neutral loss scans. The peptide sequence can still be deduced from the data in most cases, and the site of adduction can be determined. For those peptide—adducts in which this is not possible, a charged derivative placed at the N-terminus simplifies the peptide fragmentation pattern and makes the spectrum more interpretable.

Class-specific immunoadsorption purification for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-DNA adducts.

An immunoenrichment procedure has been developed for applications in the detection and identification of a broad range of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-DNA adducts at very low abundance. The procedures are based on a monoclonal antibody raised to r-7,trans-8,trans-9-trihydroxy-cis-10-(N2-deoxyguanosyl-5'-phospha te)- 7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene (anti-BPDE-N2-dG) which has been tested for cross-reactivity towards DNA and proteins (bovine serum albumin, chicken gamma globulin and human globin) covalently modified with a range of PAH diol-epoxides. The antibody recognised DNA adducted with the diol-epoxides of benzo[a]pyrene, benz[a]anthracene, chrysene, dibenz[a,h]anthracene or picene. The antibody also cross-reacted with the 7,8,9,10-tetraol derived from benzo[a]pyrene and the 1,2,3,4-tetraols of benz[a]anthracene and chrysene. The degree of cross-reactivity was greatest for PAH adducts with structural features similar to anti-BPDE-N2-dG proximate to the base attachment. The antibody also recognised a range of PAHs adducted to human globin; these included adducts of benzo[a]pyrene, benz[a]anthracene and chrysene diol-epoxides. This wide range of recognition provides good evidence for the class-specific recognition of PAH adducts by the antibody. When immobilized on Sepharose 4B and used in the immunoadsorption purification of adducted nucleotides, the antibody selectively enriched adducts of benzo[a]pyrene, benz[a]anthracene and chrysene from normal nucleotides. Quantitative measurements with [14C]benzo[a]pyrene-DNA adducts showed that the immobilized antibody was able to enrich benzo[a]pyrene adducts from a DNA hydrolysate containing adducts at a level of 1 adduct/10(10) normal nucleotides. In addition, this immunoadsorption technique was effective in enriching a mixture of DNA adducts formed in the skin of CF1 mice treated cutaneously with a mixture of [3H]benzo[a]pyrene and [3H]chrysene. Class-specific immunoenrichment procedures for DNA adducts are important in assisting the identification of genotoxic components in complex mixtures. The performance characteristics of this immobilized antibody suggest that it may be suitable for application in the detection, identification and monitoring of human exposures to low levels of PAHs.

High selectivity of polyclonal antibodies against DNA modified by diastereomeric benzo[c]phenanthrene-3,4-diol-1,2-epoxides.

Polyclonal antibodies were developed in New Zealand White rabbits against DNA modified with diastereomeric benzo[c]phenanthrene-3,4-diol-1,2-epoxide (B[c]PhDE)-1 (4-hydroxyl and epoxide cis) and B[c]PhDE-2 (4-hydroxyl and epoxide trans). Antiserum developed against B[c]PhDE-2-DNA was stereoselective. In competitive ELISA assays using wells coated with 160 fmol B[c]PhDE-2-DNA adducts, B[c]PhDE-2-DNA gave 50% inhibition at 200 fmol adducts/well. B[c]PhDE-1-DNA required a 10-fold higher amount of adducts/well to give 50% inhibition. Benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide-2-DNA and 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-3,4-diol-1,2-epoxide-1-DNA caused only a 30% inhibition even at the highest doses tested (greater than 4000 fmol adducts/well). For antiserum developed against B[c]PhDE-1-DNA, 50% inhibition required 570 fmol B[c]PhDE-1-DNA adducts in wells coated with 100 fmol B[c]PhDE-1-DNA adducts. 7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-3,4-diol-1,2-epoxide-1-DNA and B[c]PhDE-2-DNA were also effective competitors: they caused 50% inhibition at 1900 and 1800 fmol adducts/well respectively. In contrast, benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide-2-DNA gave no inhibition at the highest dose of competitor tested (4050 fmol adducts/well). Antisera from three rabbits immunized with B[c]PhDE-2-DNA demonstrated similar antigen specificities. The properties of these antisera differ from those reported previously for antibodies developed against benzo[a]pyrene-DNA in that they show selectivity for DNA modified by specific hydrocarbon diolepoxides, in one case for B[c]PhDE-2-DNA and in the other for B[c]PhDE-DNA or 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-3,4-diol-1,2-epoxide-1-DNA. The specificity of these antisera will facilitate analysis of the modification of DNA by different polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon diolepoxides.

Relationship between mutagenicity and DNA adduct formation in mammalian cells for fjord- and bay-region diol-epoxides of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Chinese hamster V79 cells were treated with the anti- and syn-diastereomers of the bay- or fjord-region diol-epoxides of four polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, namely benzo[ a]pyrene (BP), benzo[ c]chrysene (B cC), benzo[ g]chrysene (B gC) and benzo[ c]phenanthrene (B cPh). The frequency of induction of 6-thioguanine-resistant mutations was determined, and the extent of formation of DNA adducts was measured by 32P-postlabelling. When expressed as mutation frequency per nanomoles compound per millilitre incubation medium, this group of chemicals expressed a 160-fold range in potency. In agreement with previous experimental studies, the anti-diol-epoxide of B cC was highly mutagenic, inducing in excess of 3 × 10 4 mutations/10 6 cells per nmol compound/ml. The mutagenic activities of the anti- and syn-diol-epoxides of BP were 10- and 100-fold lower, respectively. Both diol-epoxides of B gC, the syn-B cC and the anti-B cPh derivatives were also highly mutagenic, and only the syn-B cPh diol-epoxide was less mutagenic than the anti-diol-epoxide of BP. Determination of the levels of DNA adducts formed by the diol-epoxides indicated that the most mutagenic compounds were the most DNA reactive, although the fjord-region diol-epoxides gave rise to more complex patterns of adducts than those of the BP diol-epoxides. When the mutagenicity results were expressed as mutations per femtomoles total adducts formed, all compounds showed similar activities. Thus the potent mutagenicity of the fjord region diol-epoxides appears to be due to the high frequency with which they form DNA adducts in V79 cells, rather than to formation of adducts with greater mutagenic potential.

A novel regio- and stereocontrolled synthesis of diol epoxide and trans-dihydriol metabolites of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. An application to the synthesis of the bay-region syn- and anti-diol epoxides of the carcinogen 1,4-dimethylphenanthrene

Carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) require metabolic activation in order to exert their tumorigenic activity, typically to the diol epoxides as predicted by the bay-region concept. While a number of synthetic methods toward these diol epoxides are described in the literature, it was felt that a new, entirely different approach may be needed that achieves regio- and stereochemically controlled synthesis of these metabolites, particularly the bay-region analogues. The authors delineate a generally applicable, efficient synthesis of PAH diol epoxides and trans-dihydrodiols and its application to the first synthesis of the putative active metabolites, the bay-region diol epoxides of the carcinogen 1,4-dimethylphenanthrene (1,4-DMPh).

Molecular orbital study on the metabolic pathway through the diol epoxide form of carcinogenic benzene in comparison with benzo[ a]pyrene

The stabilization energy for the hydronium-ion-catalyzed hydrolysis of benzene diol epoxide (BDE) in the configuration of anti- or syn-form has been estimated by using the semi-empirical molecular orbital calculations with the CNDO/2 method. The values for the formation of carbonium ion from BDE are compared with those from benzo[a]pyrene, and it is suggested that the anti-form BDE belongs to a relatively strong reactive group with benzo[a]pyrene and benz[a]anthracene. The reactivity of BDE to the cation is completely different from that of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon diol epoxides (PAHDEs) from the viewpoint of the electronic structure; the cation from the anti-form BDE has a three center-four electron bond, whereas cations from PAHDEs do not have such a bond and the aromaticity still remains.

Differential activities of rat and human lung glutathione S-transferase isoenzymes towards benzo(a)pyrene epoxides

The isoenzymes of human and rat lung glutathione S-transferase (GST) differ among themselves in their activities towards the epoxides of benzo(a)pyrene (BP). The Ya' and Yc-type subunits of rat lung GST exhibit maximum activities towards BP-4,5-oxide and BP-7,8-oxide suggesting that these two subunits are preferentially involved in the detoxification of highly reactive epoxides and diolepoxides of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). The studies with human lung GST isoenzymes indicate that BP-4,5-oxide, and BP-7,8-oxide are preferred substrates for the cationic (pI 8.3) form of the enzyme. Identification of compounds which can selectively induce these isoenzymes of GST could prove useful as inhibitors of PAH induced neoplasia.

Inhibition of the mutagenicity of bay-region diol-epoxides of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by tannic acid, hydroxylated anthraquinones and hydroxylated cinnamic acid derivatives.

Tannic acid and several hydroxylated anthraquinone and cinnamic acid derivatives inhibited the mutagenic activity of (+/-)-7 beta,8 alpha-dihydroxy-9 alpha,10 alpha-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo [a]pyrene (B[a]P 7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide-2), an ultimate mutagenic and carcinogenic metabolite of benzo [a]pyrene. The mutagenic activity of 0.05 nmol of B[a]P 7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide-2 towards strain TA 100 of Salmonella typhimurium was inhibited 50% by incubation of the bacteria and the diol-epoxide with tannic acid (0.5 nmol), anthraflavic acid (7 nmol), rufigallol (7 nmol), quinalizarin (10 nmol), alizarin (30 nmol), purpurin (60 nmol), and danthron (88 nmol). Dose-dependent, but weaker antimutagenic activity was observed for quinizarin, and a number of hydroxylated cinamic acid derivatives. Gallic acid and m-digallic acid, major components of tannic acid, possessed less than 1% of the anti-mutagenic activity of tannic acid, although m-digallic acid was over 3 times more active than gallic acid. The anti-mutagenic activity of tannic acid was a result of its interaction with B[a]P 7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide-2 since the rate of disappearance of the diol-epoxide from cell-free solutions in 1:9dioxane:water was markedly stimulated by the polyphenol. Tannic acid was a highly potent inhibitor of the mutagenic activity of the bay-region diol-epoxides of benzo[a]pyrene, dibenzo[a,h]pyrene and dibenzo[a,i]pyrene, but higher concentrations of tannic acid were needed to inhibit the mutagenicity of the chemically less reactive benzo[a]-pyrene 4,5-oxide and the bay-region diol-epoxides of benz[a]-anthracene, chrysene and benz[c]phenanthrene.

Chapter 7: MULTISTAGE SKIN CARCINOGENESIS: A USEFUL MODEL FOR THE STUDY OF THE CHEMOPREVENTION OF CANCER

Skin carcinogenesis can be operationally and mechanistically divided into at least three stages; tumor initiation, stage I and stage II of promotion. Current information suggests that reactive intermediates of skin tumor initiators are mutagenic and bind convalently to DNA of epidermal stem cells (dark basal keratinocytes) leading to some irreversible alteration in the differentiation capacity of these cells. Inhibitors of skin tumor initiation by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) decrease the level of the PAH diol-epoxide bound to specific DNA adducts. The tumor promoters have been shown to have many cellular and biochemical effects in the skin. Recent data suggests that free radicals may be important in skin tumor promotion. The first stage of promotion is partially irreversible and can be accomplished by a single treatment of a tumor promoter such as TPA or by non-promoting agents such as 4-0-methyl-TPA, calcium ionophore A23187, and hydrogen peroxide, as well as wounding. These agents increase the number of dark basal keratinocytes, which suggest that these cells are important in the first stage of promotion. Prostaglandin E2 was found to specifically enhance stage I of promotion whereas the protease inhibitor tosyl phenylalanine chloromethylketone (TPCK) specially inhibited stage I of promotion and the TPA-induced dark basal keratinocytes. The second stage of promotion is initially reversible but later becomes irreversible. The weak promoting agent mezerein is an effective stage II promoter. Polyamines and epidermal cell proliferation appear to be important events in stage II of promotion. Putrescine was found to specifically enhance stage II, whereas retinoic acid (RA), diflouromethylornithine (DFMO), and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) specially inhibited stage II of promotion and the mezerein-induced polyamine levels. Floucinolone acetonide (FA) was found to inhibit both stages but was more effective in counteracting stage I of promotion. Although, TPA can cause a decrease in the number of glucocorticoid receptors during promotion, FA can effectively prevent this loss. Recent data suggest that skin tumor promotion can be effectively inhibited by a combination of stage I and II inhibitors. Furthermore, skin carcinogenesis can be counteracted by a combination of low and nontoxic doses of BHA, TPCK, DFMO and vitamin E.

The binding of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon diol-epoxides to DNA

Diol-epoxide derivatives of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are the ultimate carcinogenic forms of these compounds encountered in vivo. Using a novel electro-fluorescence apparatus, we report that, like the (±)- anti-diolepoxide of benzo[ a]pyrene (BP), the similar diol-epoxides of benzo[ a]-anthracene (BA) and 3-methylcholanthrene (3MC) also bind to the DNA helix at an inclination of approximately 50°. This compares with the essentially perpendicular, intercalative-type binding generally found with saturated aromatic compounds, such as the native hydrocarbons, and may indicate a systematic behaviour in the molecular associations precursive to carcinogenesis.

A molecular orbital treatment on the reactivity of some polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon diol-epoxides

The total energies of several aromatic hydrocarbon diol-epoxides and their carbonium cations were calculated by using the semi-empirical CNDO/2 SCF MO calculations. The reactivity of the diol-epoxides toward electrophilic reagents was evaluated from the energy difference between the diol-epoxide and its carbonium cation. Next, the total energies of the diol-epoxides and their carbonium cations were divided into several components, which represent the contributions of parts of molecules to the total energy. That is, the total energy was represented as the sum of the block energies and inter-block energies, which were defined in relation to the parts of the molecules. By using this concept of the block and the inter-block energies the reactivities of the diol-epoxides were interpreted in connection with the molecular structure.

Inhibition of the mutagenicity of bay-region diol-epoxides of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by phenolic plant flavonoids.

Myricetin, robinetin and luteolin inhibited the mutagenic activity resulting from the metabolic activation of benzo[a]-pyrene and (+/-)-trans-7,8-dihydroxy-7,8-dihydrobenzo[a]-pyrene by rat liver microsomes. These naturally occurring plant flavonoids and seventeen additional flavonoids and related derivatives with phenolic hydroxyl groups inhibited the mutagenic activity of (+/-)-7 beta,8 alpha-dihydroxy-9 alpha,10 alpha-epoxy-7,8,9,10- tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P 7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide-2), which is an ultimate mutagenic and carcinogenic metabolite of benzo[a]pyrene. Several flavonoids without phenolic hydroxyl groups or with methylated phenolic hydroxyl groups were inactive. The mutagenic activity of 0.05 nmol of BP 7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide-2 towards strain TA 100 of S. typhimurium was inhibited 50% by incubation of the bacteria and the diol-epoxide with myricetin (2 nmol), robinetin (2.5 nmol), luteolin (5 nmol), quercetin (5 nmol), 7-methoxyquercetin (5 nmol), rutin (5 nmol), quercetin (5 nmol), delphinidin chloride (5 nmol), morin (10 nmol), myricitrin (10 nmol), kaempferol (10 nmol), diosmetin (10 nmol), fisetin (10 nmol), or apigenin (10 nmol). Considerably less antimutagenic activity was observed for dihydroquercetin, naringenin, robinin, D-catechin, genistein, kaempferide and chrysin. Pentamethoxyquercetin, tangeretin, nobiletin, 7,8-benzoflavone, 5,6-benzoflavone, and flavone, which lack free phenolic groups, were inactive. The antimutagenic activity of hydroxylated flavonoids results from their direct interaction with B[a]P 7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide-2 since the rate of disappearance of the diol-epoxide from cell-free solutions in 1:9 dioxane:water was markedly stimulated by myricetin, robinetin and quercetin. Myricetin was a highly potent inhibitor of the mutagenic activity of bay-region diol-epoxides of benzo[a]pyrene, dibenzo[a,h]pyrene and dibenzo[a,i]pyrene, but higher concentrations of myricetin were needed to inhibit the mutagenicity of the chemically less reactive benzo[a]pyrene 4,5-oxide and bay region diol-epoxides of benz[a]anthracene, chrysene and benzo[c]phenanthrene.

Studies on the mechanisms involved in multistage carcinogenesis in mouse skin.

AbstractSkin tumors can be effectively induced in mice by the repetitive application of a carcinogen. The relative order of sensitivity to complete carcinogenesis is Sencar > CD‐1 > C57BL/6 ≥ BALB/c ≥ ICR/Ha Swiss > C3H. Skin tumors in mice can also be induced by the sequential application of a sub‐threshold dose of a carcinogen (initiation phase) followed by repetitive treatment with a weak or noncarcinogenic tumor promoter (promotion phase). The relative order of sensitivity to initiation‐promotion is Sencar > > CD‐1 > ICR/Ha Swiss ≥ Balb/c > C57BL/6 ≥ C3H ≥ DBA/2. The initiation phase requires only a single application of a carcinogen and is essentially an irreversible step, which probably involves a somatic cell mutation as is evidenced by a good correlation between the carcinogenicity of many chemical carcinogens and their mutagenic activities; the promotion stage, however, is initially reversible, later becoming irreversible. For strains and stocks of mice which respond to initiation‐promotion, there is a good correlation between the tumor‐initiating activities of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and their abilities to bind covalently to DNA. Potent inhibitors and stimulators of PAH tumor initiation appear to effect the level of the PAH diol epoxide bound to specific DNA adducts. However, when the binding of a given PAH to DNA is compared in various stocks and strains of mice, there is no correlation, since in those mice which are able to metabolize PAH, the amounts of carcinogen bound to DNA are similar.The phorbol ester tumor promoters have been shown to have several cellular and biochemical effects on the skin. Of all the observed phorbol ester related effects on the skin, the induction of epidermal cell proliferation, polyamines, prostagladins, and dark basal keratinocytes as well as other embryonic conditions appear to correlate the best with promotion. Mezerein, a weak promoter, was found to induce many cellular and biochemical changes similar to 12‐O‐tetradecanoylphorbol‐13 acetate (TPA), especially epidermal hyperplasia and polyamines; however, it was not a potent inducer of dark cells. We recently found that promotion could be divided into at least two stages. The first stage (I) can be accomplished by limited treatment with TPA or the nonpromoting agents, 4‐O‐methyl TPA and the calcium ionophore A23187, and the second stage (II) by repetitive applications of mezerein. The dark basal cells appear to be important in the first stage of promotion, since TPA, 4‐0‐methyl TPA, and A23187 are potent inducers of dark cells. Fluocinolone acetonide (FA) was found to be a potent inhibitor of stage I and II. Retinoic acid (RA) was ineffective in Stage I but was a potent inhibitor of Stage II promotion, whereas tosyl phenylalanine chloromethylketone (TPCK) specifically inhibited Stage I. In addition, FA and TPCK effectively counteracted the appearance of dark basal keratinocytes but had very little effect on polyamines, whereas RA had no effect on dark cells but is a potent inhibitor of TPA‐induced ornithine decarboxylase activity and subsequent putrescine formation. These results provide additional evidence for the importance of dark basal keratinocytes (primitive stem cells) in Stage I of promotion and indicate that most of the other cellular and biochemical responses normally associated with promotion (such as polyamines) are actually associated with Stage II of promotion.Although C57BL/6 mice are relatively resistant to initiation‐promotion by PAH initiation and phorbol ester promotion, they are fairly sensitive to complete carcinogenesis by PAH. This suggests that the C57BL/6 mice are resistant to phorbol ester tumor promotion. Preliminary experiments suggest that C57BL/6 and Sencar mice respond qualitatively but not quantitatively to a single treatment with TPA.

A molecular orbital study on the carcinogenicity of various polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon diol-epoxides.

A molecular orbital study on the carcinogenicity of various polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon diol-epoxides.