Sister Chromatid Exchange Formation Research Articles

The formation of SCEs as an effect of occupational exposure to formaldehyde

Formaldehyde (FA) is a ubiquitous toxic chemical employed worldwide due to its disinfectant and preservative properties. Despite being classified as a human carcinogen, FA is still employed as formalin in pathology wards as standard fixative. We evaluated its relationship with the formation of sister-chromatid exchanges (SCEs) in cultured peripheral blood lymphocytes on 57 pathologists and 48 controls and the risk/protective role played by several genetic polymorphisms. All subjects were assessed for SCEs and genotyped for the most common cancer-associated gene polymorphisms: CYP1A1 exon 7 (A > G), CYP1A1*2A (T > C), CYP2C19*2 (G > A), GSTT1 (presence/absence), GSTM1 (presence/absence), GSTP1 (A > G), XRCC1 (G399A), XRCC1 (C194T), XRCC1 (A280G), XPC exon 15 (A939C), XPC exon 9 (C499T), TNFα − 308 G > A), IL10 − 1082 (G > A), and IL6 − 174 (G > C). Air-FA concentration was assessed through passive personal samplers. Pathologists, exposed to 55.2 μg/m3 of air-FA, showed a significantly higher SCEs frequency than controls, exposed, respectively, to 18.4 μg/m3. Air-FA was directly correlated with SCEs frequency and inversely with the replication index (RI). Regression models showed FA exposure as a significant predictor in developing SCEs, while did not highlight any role of the selected polymorphisms. Our study confirms the role of low air-FA levels as genotoxicity inductor, highlighting the importance to define exposure limits that could be safer for exposed workers.

Dose response to methylating agents in the γH2AX, SCE and colony formation assays: Effect of MGMT and MPG overexpression

Cells have developed diverse protective mechanisms that enable them to tolerate low doses of genotoxic compounds. DNA repair processes attenuate the mutagenic and carcinogenic effects of alkylating agents, and multiple studies indicate a key role of specific DNA repair factors and pathways in establishing non-linear dose response relationships. Using an overexpression approach, we investigated the impact of O6-methylguanine-DNA-methyltransferase (MGMT), which repairs O6-methylguanine (O6MeG) in a damage reversal reaction, and N-methylpurine-DNA glycosylase (MPG), which acts as an apical enzyme in the BER pathway, on the DNA damage response to the alkylating agents MNNG and MMS. Our data indicate a clear protective effect of MGMT against MNNG-induced nuclear γH2AX foci formation, sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) and cytotoxicity, as determined in the colony formation assay. MGMT protected with similar efficiency against MMS-induced cytotoxicity and γH2AX foci formation, but suppressed SCE induction only weakly, which indicates that recombination events induced by MMS result from other lesions than O6MeG. In contrast, overexpression of MPG had only a very mild protective effect on the cellular defense against MMS and MNNG. Collectively, our data indicate that overexpression of MGMT results in non-linear DNA damage responses to O6MeG inducers. In contrast, MPG overexpression has only minor impact on the DNA damage response to alkylating drugs, indicating that other downstream enzymes in the BER pathway are limiting.

Genotoxic effects of gadobutrol and gadoversetamide active substances used in magnetic resonance imaging in human peripheral lymphocytes in vitro

Gadobutrol and gadoversetamide are gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) widely used during magnetic resonance imaging examination. In this study, the genotoxicity of two GBCAs, gadobutrol and gadoversetamide, was investigated by using different endpoints: chromosome aberration (CAs), sister chromatid exchange (SCEs), and micronucleus (MNi). Human peripheral lymphocytes (PBLs) were treated with five concentrations (7 000, 14 000, 28 000, 56 000, and 112 000 μg/mL) of both agents. While a few concentrations of gadobutrol significantly increased abnormal cell frequency and CA/Cell, nearly all the concentrations of gadoversetamide significantly elevated the same aberrations. Similarly, the effect of gadoversetamide on the formation of SCEs was higher than those of gadobutrol. Only one concentration of gadoversetamide significantly increased MN% but no gadobutrol. The comet assay was applied for the only gadobutrol which induced a significant increase in tail intensity at the highest concentration only. On the other hand, significantly decreased mitotic index (MI) was observed following both substances, again gadoversetamide was slightly higher than those of the gadobutrol. The results revealed that both the contrast agents are likely to induce genotoxic risk in PBLs. However, different concentrations and treatment periods should be examined in vitro and specifically in vivo with different test systems for the safer usage of these contrast agents.

A Full Set of In Vitro Assays in Chitosan/Tween 80 Microspheres Loaded with Magnetite Nanoparticles.

Microspheres have been proposed for different medical applications, such as the delivery of therapeutic proteins. The first step, before evaluating the functionality of a protein delivery system, is to evaluate their biological safety. In this work, we developed chitosan/Tween 80 microspheres loaded with magnetite nanoparticles and evaluated cell damage. The formation and physical–chemical properties of the microspheres were determined by FT-IR, Raman, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and SEM. Cell damage was evaluated by a full set of in vitro assays using a non-cancerous cell line, human erythrocytes, and human lymphocytes. At the same time, to know if these microspheres can load proteins over their surface, bovine serum albumin (BSA) immobilization was measured. Results showed 7 nm magnetite nanoparticles loaded into chitosan/Tween 80 microspheres with average sizes of 1.431 µm. At concentrations from 1 to 100 µg/mL, there was no evidence of changes in mitochondrial metabolism, cell morphology, membrane rupture, cell cycle, nor sister chromatid exchange formation. For each microgram of microspheres 1.8 µg of BSA was immobilized. The result provides the fundamental understanding of the in vitro biological behavior, and safety, of developed microspheres. Additionally, this set of assays can be helpful for researchers to evaluate different nano and microparticles.

ATRX and RECQ5 define distinct homologous recombination subpathways

Homologous recombination (HR) is an important DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair pathway that copies sequence information lost at the break site from an undamaged homologous template. This involves the formation of a recombination structure that is processed to restore the original sequence but also harbors the potential for crossover (CO) formation between the participating molecules. Synthesis-dependent strand annealing (SDSA) is an HR subpathway that prevents CO formation and is thought to predominate in mammalian cells. The chromatin remodeler ATRX promotes an alternative HR subpathway that has the potential to form COs. Here, we show that ATRX-dependent HR outcompetes RECQ5-dependent SDSA for the repair of most two-ended DSBs in human cells and leads to the frequent formation of COs, assessed by measuring sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs). We provide evidence that subpathway choice is dependent on interaction of both ATRX and RECQ5 with proliferating cell nuclear antigen. We also show that the subpathway usage varies among different cancer cell lines and compare it to untransformed cells. We further observe HR intermediates arising as ionizing radiation (IR)-induced ultra-fine bridges only in cells expressing ATRX and lacking MUS81 and GEN1. Consistently, damage-induced MUS81 recruitment is only observed in ATRX-expressing cells. Cells lacking BLM show similar MUS81 recruitment and IR-induced SCE formation as control cells. Collectively, these results suggest that the ATRX pathway involves the formation of HR intermediates whose processing is entirely dependent on MUS81 and GEN1 and independent of BLM. We propose that the predominant ATRX-dependent HR subpathway forms joint molecules distinct from classical Holliday junctions.

EdU-Based Step-by-Step Method for the Detection of Sister Chromatid Exchanges for Application in Plant Genotoxicity Assessment.

This study is an example of using 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine (EdU) for detecting sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) at chromosomal level. Here we report a detailed protocol for differential labeling sister chromatids in barley (Hordeum vulgare, 2n = 14) cells that is based on the incorporation and simple detection of EdU. The perfect distinguishing of sister chromatids enabled an analysis of the effects of two model agents—maleic acid hydrazide (MH) and gamma rays—on the formation of SCEs. Using this method, we demonstrated the high sensitivity of barley cells to maleic hydrazide, which is expressed as an increased level of SCEs. A gamma ray induced only slightly more SCEs than in the control cells. The possible mechanisms of MH and gamma ray action in respect to distinguishing chromatids using EdU are discussed. Recommendation for SCEs visualization using EdU as an easy and quick method that can be successfully adapted to other plant species and potentially for human genotoxicity studies is presented.

Genotoxic risk evaluation of cleaning workers

Background and Aim: Cleaning agents are used in large quantities by millions of people throughout the world for disinfection and surface maintenance. Although there is a complex pattern of exposure to cleaning agents and resulting health problems among cleaners, genotoxic risks of cleaners as an occupational group are uncertain. In the present study, possible genotoxic effects of exposing to cleaning agents in peripheral lymphocytes of cleaners were investigated. Materials and Methods: In this study, possible genotoxic risks of cleaning workers were investigated by sister chromatid exchange (SCE) and chromosomal aberrations (CAs) tests. The frequencies of SCE and CA were determined in peripheral blood samples taken from 32 cleaning workers exposed to cleaning agents and 20 healthy controls as the control group. Cell kinetic parameters of mitotic index (MI) and proliferation index (PI) were also detected for determining the possible cytotoxic effects. Data analysis was perfomed using SPSS (17.0) package program. Results: A significant SCE formation was found in the peripheral blood of cleaners in comparison with the control group (P 0.05). The CA values were correlated with both the working period and the ages of the cleaning workers. No marked differences were detected concerning PI and MI indices between the workers and controls. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that cleaning workers may have weak genotoxic risk due to occupational exposure.

Nucleoporin 54 contributes to homologous recombination repair and post-replicative DNA integrity.

The nuclear pore complex (NPC) machinery is emerging as an important determinant in the maintenance of genome integrity and sensitivity to DNA double-strand break (DSB)-inducing agents, such as ionising radiation (IR). In this study, using a high-throughput siRNA screen, we identified the central channel NPC protein Nup54, and concomitantly its molecular partners Nup62 and Nup58, as novel factors implicated in radiosensitivity. Nup54 depletion caused an increase in cell death by mitotic catastrophe after IR, and specifically enhanced both the duration of the G2 arrest and the radiosensitivity of cells that contained replicated DNA at the time of IR exposure. Nup54-depleted cells also exhibited increased formation of chromosome aberrations arisen from replicated DNA. Interestingly, we found that Nup54 is epistatic with the homologous recombination (HR) factor Rad51. Moreover, using specific DNA damage repair reporters, we observed a decreased HR repair activity upon Nup54 knockdown. In agreement with a role in HR repair, we also demonstrated a decreased formation of HR-linked DNA synthesis foci and sister chromatid exchanges after IR in cells depleted of Nup54. Our study reveals a novel role for Nup54 in the response to IR and the maintenance of HR-mediated genome integrity.

ATRX Promotes DNA Repair Synthesis and Sister Chromatid Exchange during Homologous Recombination

ATRX is a chromatin remodeler that, together with its chaperone DAXX, deposits the histone variant H3.3 in pericentromeric and telomeric regions. Notably, ATRX is frequently mutated in tumors that maintain telomere length by a specific form of homologous recombination (HR). Surprisingly, in this context, wedemonstrate that ATRX-deficient cells exhibit a defect in repairing exogenously induced DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) by HR. ATRX operates downstream of the Rad51 removal step and interacts with PCNA and RFC-1, which are collectively required for DNA repair synthesis during HR. ATRX depletion abolishes DNA repair synthesis and prevents the formation of sister chromatid exchanges at exogenously induced DSBs. DAXX- and H3.3-depleted cells exhibit identical HR defects as ATRX-depleted cells, and both ATRX and DAXX function to deposit H3.3 during DNA repair synthesis. This suggests that ATRX facilitates the chromatin reconstitution required for extended DNA repair synthesis and sister chromatid exchange during HR.

In vitro genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of doxepin and escitalopram on human peripheral lymphocytes

Antidepressants are drugs used for the treatment of many psychiatric conditions including depression. There are findings suggesting that these drugs might have genotoxic, carcinogenic, and/or mutagenic effects. Therefore, the present in vitro study is intended to investigate potential genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of the antidepressants escitalopram (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) and doxepin (Tricyclic antidepressant) on human peripheral lymphocytes cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN), sister chromatid exchange (SCE), and single cell gel electrophoresis (alkaline comet assay) were used for the purpose of the study. In the study, four different concentrations of both drugs (1, 2.5, 5, and 10 µg/mL) were administered to human peripheral lymphocytes for 24 h. The tested concentrations of both drugs were found to exhibit no cytotoxic and mitotic inhibitory effects. SCE increase caused by 5 and 10 µg/mL of escitalopram was found statistically significant, while no statistically significant increase was observed in DNA damage and micronucleus (MN) formation. Moreover, the increase caused by doxepin in MN formation was not found statistically significant. Besides, 10 µg/mL of doxepin was demonstrated to significantly increase arbitrary unit and SCE formation. These findings suggest that the investigated concentrations of escitalopram and doxepin were non-cytotoxic but potentially genotoxic at higher concentrations.

Coordination of the Ser2056 and Thr2609 Clusters of DNA-PKcs in Regulating Gamma Rays and Extremely Low Fluencies of Alpha-Particle Irradiation to G0/G1 Phase Cells.

The catalytic subunit of DNA dependent protein kinase (DNA-PKcs) and its kinase activity are critical for mediation of non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) of DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) in mammalian cells after gamma-ray irradiation. Additionally, DNA-PKcs phosphorylations at the T2609 cluster and the S2056 cluster also affect DSB repair and cellular sensitivity to gamma radiation. Previously we reported that phosphorylations within these two regions affect not only NHEJ but also homologous recombination repair (HRR) dependent DSB repair. In this study, we further examine phenotypic effects on cells bearing various combinations of mutations within either or both regions. Effects studied included cell killing as well as chromosomal aberration induction after 0.5-8 Gy gamma-ray irradiation delivered to synchronized cells during the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle. Blocking phosphorylation within the T2609 cluster was most critical regarding sensitization and depended on the number of available phosphorylation sites. It was also especially interesting that only one substitution of alanine in each of the two clusters separately abolished the restoration of wild-type sensitivity by DNA-PKcs. Similar patterns were seen for induction of chromosomal aberrations, reflecting their connection to cell killing. To study possible change in coordination between HRR and NHEJ directed repair in these DNA-PKcs mutant cell lines, we compared the induction of sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) by very low fluencies of alpha particles with mutant cells defective in the HRR pathway that is required for induction of SCEs. Levels of true SCEs induced by very low fluence of alpha-particle irradiation normally seen in wild-type cells were only slightly decreased in the S2056 cluster mutants, but were completely abolished in the T2609 cluster mutants and were indistinguishable from levels seen in HRR deficient cells. Again, a single substitution in the S2056 together with a single substitution in the T2609 cluster abolished SCE formation and thus also effectively interferes with HRR.

Biomarkers of genotoxicity measured in human lymphocytes exposed to benzo[a]pyrene: Aneugenic effect, and involvement multiple primary DNA lesions

Benzo-a-pyrene (B[a]P) is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon classified as carcinogenic to human. Its metabolic activation leads to production of metabolites forming adducts with DNA, being at origin of B[a]P-induced DNA damages, mutagenesis and carcinogenesis. Human blood lymphocytes cultures established from 25 subjects aged 20 to 30 years old, living in Montreal (Quebec, Canada) were exposed to B[a]P (0.4, 4, 20 and 40 µM) for 24 h, then washed and cultivated without B[a]P for an additional 24 h. B[a]P-DNA adducts, DNA single-strand breaks (SSBs), sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs), chromosomal aberrations (CAs) and micronuclei (MN) were analysed. Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis of MN using a pancentromeric probe was also done to assess MN content. Significantly increased formation of B[a]P-DNA adducts, CAs, MN and SCEs were observed starting at [B[a]P]=0.4 µM (p<0.01), with a significant decrease of B[a]P-DNA adducts and MN after exposure to 20 µM B[a]P. For DNA SSBs, no significant increase was observed in all conditions. Besides, FISH analysis showed that B[a]P-induced MN mostly contain centromeres (77.1% vs 68.5% for the control, p<0.01), and specifically three or more centromeres (p<0.01). This study suggests an aneugenic effect of B[a]P in human lymphocytes. Finally, statistical analysis by multiple linear regression showed that two variables (B[a]P exposure level and B[a]P-DNA adducts) significantly explained 53% of observed variability in SCE test, while the percentage of cell presenting a high frequency of SCE (% HFC) was the only variable significantly explaining the observed variability in CA and MN test (34% and 12%, respectively). These observations indicate that DNA breaks, in addition to B[a]P-DNA adducts, contributed to SCEs formation.

Bystander effects as manifestation of intercellular communication of DNA damage and of the cellular oxidative status

It is becoming increasingly clear that cells exposed to ionizing radiation (IR) and other genotoxic agents (targeted cells) can communicate their DNA damage response (DDR) status to cells that have not been directly irradiated (bystander cells). The term radiation-induced bystander effects (RIBE) describes facets of this phenomenon, but its molecular underpinnings are incompletely characterized. Consequences of DDR in bystander cells have been extensively studied and include transformation and mutation induction; micronuclei, chromosome aberration and sister chromatid exchange formation; as well as modulations in gene expression, proliferation and differentiation patterns. A fundamental question arising from such observations is why targeted cells induce DNA damage in non-targeted, bystander cells threatening thus their genomic stability and risking the induction of cancer. Here, we review and synthesize available literature to gather support for a model according to which targeted cells modulate as part of DDR their redox status and use it as a source to generate signals for neighboring cells. Such signals can be either small molecules transported to adjacent non-targeted cells via gap-junction intercellular communication (GJIC), or secreted factors that can reach remote, non-targeted cells by diffusion or through the circulation. We review evidence that such signals can induce in the recipient cell modulations of redox status similar to those seen in the originating targeted cell – occasionally though self-amplifying feedback loops. The resulting increase of oxidative stress in bystander cells induces, often in conjunction with DNA replication, the observed DDR-like responses that are at times strong enough to cause apoptosis. We reason that RIBE reflect the function of intercellular communication mechanisms designed to spread within tissues, or the entire organism, information about DNA damage inflicted to individual, constituent cells. Such responses are thought to protect the organism by enhancing repair in a community of cells and by eliminating severely damaged cells.

The genotoxic and antigenotoxic effects of Salvia fruticosa leaf extract in human blood lymphocytes

The aim of this study was to investigate the genotoxic and antigenotoxic effects of Salvia fruticosa (Sf) leaf extract with the absence and presence of S9 mix using sister chromatid exchange (SCE), chromosome aberration (CA) and micronucleus (MN) formation test systems in human peripheral blood lymphocytes (HPBLs) that were treated with 1.5-, 3.0- and 6.0-µL/mL concentrations for 24- and 48-hour treatment periods. The cytotoxicity of Sf leaf extract was also investigated by calculating the mitotic index (MI), proliferation index (PI) and nuclear division index (NDI). In the absence of S9 mix, Sf leaf extract alone increased SCE frequency at the 48-hour treatment period; however, it induced the CA and MN at all concentrations and at all treatment periods. Sf plus MMC (mitomycin C) synergically induced SCE and CA, except the highest concentration of Sf leaf extract and MMC on induction of SCE. In addition, Sf leaf extract induced the effect of MMC on MN frequency for 24 hours, but it significantly decreased the effect of MMC on MN frequency for the 48-hour treatment period. Sf leaf extract showed a cytotoxic effect by decreasing the MI; however, it did not decrease the PI and NDI. In the presence of S9 mix, Sf leaf extract did not increase the SCE, when compared to solvent control, whereas it reduced the effect of cyclophosphamide (Cyp). Sf leaf extract induced the CA and MN, but could not increase the effect of Cyp on CA and MN formation. Sf leaf extract had no cytotoxic effect; however, it induced the cytotoxicity of Cyp.

Reduced FANCD2 influences spontaneous SCE and RAD51 foci formation in uveal melanoma and Fanconi anaemia

Uveal melanoma (UM) is unique among cancers in displaying reduced endogenous levels of sister chromatid exchange (SCE). Here we demonstrate that FANCD2 expression is reduced in UM and that ectopic expression of FANCD2 increased SCE. Similarly, FANCD2-deficient fibroblasts (PD20) derived from Fanconi anaemia patients displayed reduced spontaneous SCE formation relative to their FANCD2-complemented counterparts, suggesting that this observation is not specific to UM. In addition, spontaneous RAD51 foci were reduced in UM and PD20 cells compared with FANCD2-proficient cells. This is consistent with a model where spontaneous SCEs are the end product of endogenous recombination events and implicates FANCD2 in the promotion of recombination-mediated repair of endogenous DNA damage and in SCE formation during normal DNA replication. In both UM and PD20 cells, low SCE was reversed by inhibiting DNA-PKcs (DNA-dependent protein kinase, catalytic subunit). Finally, we demonstrate that both PD20 and UM are sensitive to acetaldehyde, supporting a role for FANCD2 in repair of lesions induced by such endogenous metabolites. Together, these data suggest FANCD2 may promote spontaneous SCE by influencing which double-strand break repair pathway predominates during normal S-phase progression.

Sister Chromatid Exchange Assessment by Chromosome Orientation-Fluorescence in situ Hybridization on the Bovine Sex Chromosomes and Autosomes 16 and 26

Mammalian genome replication and maintenance are intimately coupled with the mechanisms that ensure cohesion between the resultant sister chromatids and the repair of DNA breaks. Although a sister chromatid exchange (SCE) is an error-free swapping of precisely matched and identical DNA strands, repetitive elements adjacent to the break site can act as alternative template sites and an unequal sister chromatid exchange can result, leading to structural variations and copy number change. Here we test the vulnerability for SCEs of the repeat-rich bovine Y chromosome in comparison with X, 16 and 26 chromosomes, using chromosome orientation-fluorescence in situ hybridization. The mean SCE rate of the Y chromosome (0.065 ± 0.029) was similar to that of BTA16 and BTA26 (0.065, 0.055), but was only approximately half of that of the X chromosome (0.142). As the chromosomal length affects the number of SCE events, we adjusted the SCE rates of the Y, 16, and 26 chromosomes to the length of the largest chromosome X resulting in very similar adjusted SCE (SCE_adj) rates in all categories. Our results – based on 3 independent bulls – show that, although the cattle Y chromosome is a chest full of repeated elements, their presence and the documented activity of repeats in SCE formation does not manifest in significantly higher SCE_adj rates and suggest the importance of the structural organization of the Y chromosome and the role of alternative mitotic DNA repair mechanisms.

The genoprotective activity of resveratrol on aflatoxin B1-induced DNA damage in human lymphocytes in vitro

Aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) has been consistently shown to be a potent mutagen and carcinogen in humans and animals. On the other hand, resveratrol (RSV), a polyphenol, has several positive biological actions such as protection of cells against DNA damage. In the present study, the antigenotoxic effect of RSV was studied against a genotoxic dose of AFB₁ using the damage parameters of chromosomal aberrations (CAs) and sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) in cultured human lymphocytes. Whole blood samples from three healthy male donors were used for this experiment and the effects of various concentrations of RSV (0, 10, 15, 25, 40, 75 and 100 µM) and AFB₁ (10 µM) were tested. The results revealed that the frequencies of SCEs and CAs in lymphocytes were significantly (p < 0.05) increased by AFB₁ as compared to controls. The results also showed that RSV was not genotoxic. Moreover, the number of SCEs and micronuclei induced by AFB₁ could be significantly minimized by the presence of RSV. Our results suggest for the first time that RSV can antagonize the ability of AFB₁ to cause DNA damage that leads to the formation of SCEs and CAs.

Aberrant chromosome morphology in human cells defective for Holliday junction resolution

In somatic cells, Holliday junctions can be formed between sister chromatids during the recombinational repair of DNA breaks or after replication fork demise. A variety of processes act upon Holliday junctions to remove them from DNA, in events that are critical for proper chromosome segregation. In human cells, the BLM protein, inactivated in individuals with Bloom's syndrome, acts in combination with topoisomerase IIIα, RMI1 and RMI2 (BTR complex) to promote the dissolution of double Holliday junctions. Cells defective for BLM exhibit elevated levels of sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) and patients with Bloom's syndrome develop a broad spectrum of early-onset cancers caused by chromosome instability. MUS81-EME1 (refs 4-7), SLX1-SLX4 (refs 8-11) and GEN1 (refs 12, 13) also process Holliday junctions but, in contrast to the BTR complex, do so by endonucleolytic cleavage. Here we deplete these nucleases from Bloom's syndrome cells to analyse human cells compromised for the known Holliday junction dissolution/resolution pathways. We show that depletion of MUS81 and GEN1, or SLX4 and GEN1, from Bloom's syndrome cells results in severe chromosome abnormalities, such that sister chromatids remain interlinked in a side-by-side arrangement and the chromosomes are elongated and segmented. Our results indicate that normally replicating human cells require Holliday junction processing activities to prevent sister chromatid entanglements and thereby ensure accurate chromosome condensation. This phenotype was not apparent when both MUS81 and SLX4 were depleted from Bloom's syndrome cells, suggesting that GEN1 can compensate for their absence. Additionally, we show that depletion of MUS81 or SLX4 reduces the high frequency of SCEs in Bloom's syndrome cells, indicating that MUS81 and SLX4 promote SCE formation, in events that may ultimately drive the chromosome instabilities that underpin early-onset cancers associated with Bloom's syndrome.

Homologous Recombination Repair of DNA Strand Breaks Induced by the Nucleoside Analogue CNDAG.

AbstractAbstract 1189We hypothesize that the novel deoxyguanosine analogue CNDAG [9-(2-C-cyano-2-deoxy-1-β-D-arabino-pentofuranosyl) guanine] may share the common action mechanism with its cytosine congener CNDAC [2′-C-cyano-2′-deoxy-1-β-D-arabino-pentofuranosylcytosine], a prodrug of which, sapacitabine, is undergoing clinical trials in myeloid leukemias. CNDAC induces single strand breaks following incorporation into DNA. Subsequent processing or DNA replication across the unrepaired nicks would generate double strand breaks (DSBs) [1]. Because cytosine and guanine nucleoside congeners have remarkably different clinical activities, e.g., cytarabine (acute myelogenous leukemia) and nelarabine (T-cell malignancies), it will be useful to pursue investigations to fully characterize the metabolism and actions of CNDAG. This study was aimed at defining cellular response and damage repair mechanisms for two CNDAG prodrugs, 2-amino-9-(2-C-cyano-2-deoxy-1-β-D-arabino-pentofuranosyl)-6-methoxy purine (6-OMe) and 9-(2-C-cyano-2-deoxy-1-β-D-arabino-pentofuranosyl)-2,6-diaminopurine (6-NH2). Each prodrug is a substrate for adenosine deaminase (ADA), the action of which generates CNDAG. First, growth inhibition by both CNDAG prodrugs was dependent upon both concentration and time of exposure; the proliferation of T-cell malignant lines (CCRF-CEM and Jurkat) was suppressed more to B-cell lines (Raji and IM-9). This may be attributed to relatively low activity of deoxycytidine kinase in the latter cell lines. Second, p53 knocked-out and parental HCT116 cells were equally sensitive to CNDAG 6-NH2 in a clonogenic assay, indicating that cytotoxicity of CNDAG is independent of p53 status. Third, similar to CNDAC, CNDAG prodrugs activated repair proteins in multiple DNA damage response pathways, as revealed by immunoblotting. 24-hr incubation of CCRF-CEM cells with 50 microM either prodrug increased the phosphorylation of Ser-1981 on ATM, Ser-345 on Chk1, Thr-68 on Chk2, Ser-966 on SMC1, Ser-343 on Nbs1 and g-H2AX. In contrast, there was no increase in phosphorylation of two other sensor kinases, DNA-PKcs (Ser-2056) which participates in repair of double strand breaks by non-homologous end-joining, and ATR (Ser-428) which senses stalled DNA replication forks. Fourth, we investigated the role of components of homologous recombination (HR) in CNDAG-induced DNA damage repair. The clonogenic survival of human fibroblasts deficient in ATM or those transfected with an empty vector were approximately 20- to 30-fold more sensitive to CNDAG prodrugs than cells complemented with full-length ATM cDNA. Chinese hamster cells deficient in Rad51D or either of the two Rad51-interacting proteins, Xrcc3 and Brca2, conferred greater than 30-fold sensitivity to CNDAG prodrugs relative to respective wild type lines. Similar sensitization was also observed with CNDAC. In contrast, cells lacking HR function were not more sensitive to ara-C or ara-G compared to their parental and complemented cells, indicating HR is a unique repair mechanism for 2'-C-cyano-2'-deoxy-nucleoside analogues. Finally, a cytogenetic approach was used to analyze sister chromatid exchange (SCE, a hallmark for HR) formation in metaphase cells exposed to 2 microM CNDAG 6-NH2. The frequencies of SCEs in AA8 cells incubated with CNDAG for two cell cycles (mean 14.2 per metaphase) were 2-fold of those exposed for one cell cycle (mean 7.4 per metaphase, n>20, p<0.001), the latter greater than control (mean 6 per metaphase, p<0.05). Together these results demonstrate that DNA damage caused by CNDAG activates ATM-dependent signaling pathways and is repaired through homologous recombination. Thus, this is a class effect caused by 2'-C-cyano-2'-deoxy-nucleoside analogues. Our study suggests that despite relatively less potency, CNDAG might have distinct clinical activity from that of CNDAC. [1] Liu X, et al. Blood, Blood. 2010 May 17, Epub ahead of print, PMID: 20479284. [Display omitted] Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Atypically low spontaneous sister chromatid exchange formation in uveal melanoma

Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common primary intraocular cancer of adults and is characterized by several well-established chromosomal changes. More recently, a specific mutation of guanine nucleotide binding protein Gq alpha subunit (GNAQ) has also been identified in a proportion of UM. Although some of these alterations have been suggested to be early changes, the genetic alterations responsible for the development of UM have yet to be clearly determined. Cancers are characterized by increased genetic instability, and analysis of established cancer cell lines and blood from cancer patients has universally been associated with an increased level of sister chromatid exchange (SCE). We have observed that the spontaneous frequency of SCE in primary cultures of UM and UM-derived cell lines is decreased below normal baseline levels, a phenomenon unique to UM when compared with multiple other cancers. This finding was specific to the tumor and not found in lymphocytes from the patients. Although we cannot exclude the possibility that low SCE (LSCE) is peculiar to the uveal melanocytes lineage, as it was consistently observed in all UM studied, regardless of other genetic defects, we propose that this phenomenon contributes to the molecular pathogenesis of UM.