Hydroxymethylvinyl Ketone Research Articles

Identification of a Fused-Ring 2'-Deoxyadenosine Adduct Formed in Human Cells Incubated with 1-Chloro-3-buten-2-one, a Potential Reactive Metabolite of 1,3-Butadiene.

1-Chloro-3-buten-2-one (CBO) is an in vitro metabolite of 1,3-butadiene (BD), a carcinogenic air pollutant. CBO exhibited potent cytotoxicity and genotoxicity that have been attributed in part to its reactivity toward DNA. Previously, we have characterized the CBO adducts with 2'-deoxycytidine and 2'-deoxyguanosine. In the present study, we report on the reaction of CBO with 2'-deoxyadenosine (dA) under in vitro physiological conditions (pH 7.4, 37 °C). We used the synthesized standards and their decomposition and acid-hydrolysis products to characterize the CBO-DNA adducts formed in human cells. The fused-ring dA adducts (dA-1 and dA-2) were readily synthesized and were structurally characterized as 1,N(6)-(1-hydroxy-1-hydroxymethylpropan-1,3-diyl)-2'-deoxyadenosine and 1,N(6)-(1-hydroxy-1-chloromethylpropan-1,3-diyl)-2'-deoxyadenosine, respectively. dA-1 exhibited a half-life of 16.0 ± 0.7 h and decomposed to dA at pH 7.4 and 37 °C. At similar conditions, dA-2 decomposed to dA-1 and dA, and had a half-life of 0.9 ± 0.1 h. These results provide strong evidence for dA-1 being a degradation product of dA-2. dA-1 is formed by replacement of the chlorine atom of dA-2 by a hydroxyl group. The slow decomposition of dA-1 to dA, along with the detection of hydroxymethyl vinyl ketone (HMVK) as another degradation product, suggested equilibrium between dA-1 and a ring-opened carbonyl-containing intermediate that undergoes a retro-Michael reaction to yield dA and HMVK. Acid hydrolysis of dA-1 and dA-2 yielded the corresponding deribosylated products A-1D and A-2D, respectively. In the acid-hydrolyzed reaction mixture of CBO with calf thymus DNA, both A-1D and A-2D could be detected; however, the amount of A-2D was significantly larger than that of A-1D. Interestingly, only A-2D could be detected by LC-MS analysis of acid-hydrolyzed DNA from cells incubated with CBO, suggesting that dA-2 was stable in DNA and thus may play an important role in the genotoxicity and carcinogenicity of BD. In addition, A-2D could be developed as a biomarker of CBO formation in human cells.

High throughput HPLC–ESI−-MS/MS methodology for mercapturic acid metabolites of 1,3-butadiene: Biomarkers of exposure and bioactivation

1,3-Butadiene (BD) is an important industrial and environmental carcinogen present in cigarette smoke, automobile exhaust, and urban air. The major urinary metabolites of BD in humans are 2-(N-acetyl-l-cystein-S-yl)-1-hydroxybut-3-ene/1-(N-acetyl-l-cystein-S-yl)-2-hydroxybut-3-ene (MHBMA), 4-(N-acetyl-l-cystein-S-yl)-1,2-dihydroxybutane (DHBMA), and 4-(N-acetyl-l-cystein-S-yl)-1,2,3-trihydroxybutyl mercapturic acid (THBMA), which are formed from the electrophilic metabolites of BD, 3,4-epoxy-1-butene (EB), hydroxymethyl vinyl ketone (HMVK), and 3,4-epoxy-1,2-diol (EBD), respectively. In the present work, a sensitive high-throughput HPLC–ESI–-MS/MS method was developed for simultaneous quantification of MHBMA and DHBMA in small volumes of human urine (200μl). The method employs a 96 well Oasis HLB SPE enrichment step, followed by isotope dilution HPLC–ESI−-MS/MS analysis on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. The validated method was used to quantify MHBMA and DHBMA in urine of workers from a BD monomer and styrene-butadiene rubber production facility (40 controls and 32 occupationally exposed to BD). Urinary THBMA concentrations were also determined in the same samples. The concentrations of all three BD-mercapturic acids and the metabolic ratio (MHBMA/(MHBMA+DHBMA+THBMA)) were significantly higher in the occupationally exposed group as compared to controls and correlated with BD exposure, with each other, and with BD-hemoglobin biomarkers. This improved high throughput methodology for MHBMA and DHBMA will be useful for future epidemiological studies in smokers and occupationally exposed workers.

Bis-butanediol-mercapturic acid (bis-BDMA) as a urinary biomarker of metabolic activation of butadiene to its ultimate carcinogenic species

Human carcinogen 1,3-butadiene (BD) undergoes metabolic activation to 3,4-epoxy-1-butene (EB), hydroxymethylvinyl ketone (HMVK), 3,4-epoxy-1,2-butanediol (EBD) and 1,2,3,4-diepoxybutane (DEB). Among these, DEB is by far the most genotoxic metabolite and is considered the ultimate carcinogenic species of BD. We have shown previously that BD-exposed laboratory mice form 8- to 10-fold more DEB-DNA adducts than rats exposed at the same conditions, which may be responsible for the enhanced sensitivity of mice to BD-mediated cancer. In the present study, we have identified 1,4-bis-(N-acetyl-L-cystein-S-yl)butane-2,3-diol (bis-BDMA) as a novel DEB-specific urinary biomarker. Isotope dilution high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry was employed to quantify bis-BDMA and three other BD-mercapturic acids, 2-(N-acetyl-L-cystein-S-yl)-1-hydroxybut-3-ene/1-(N-acetyl-L-cystein-S-yl)-2-hydroxy-but-3-ene (MHBMA, from EB), 4-(N-acetyl-L-cystein-S-yl)-1,2-dihydroxybutane (DHBMA, from HMVK) and 4-(N-acetyl-L-cystein-S-yl)-1,2,3-trihydroxybutane (THBMA, from EBD), in urine of confirmed smokers, occupationally exposed workers and BD-exposed laboratory rats. Bis-BDMA was formed in a dose-dependent manner in urine of rats exposed to 0-200 p.p.m. BD by inhalation, although it was a minor metabolite (1%) as compared with DHBMA (47%) and THBMA (37%). In humans, DHBMA was the most abundant BD-mercapturic acid excreted (93%), followed by THBMA (5%) and MHBMA (2%), whereas no bis-BDMA was detected. These results reveal significant differences in metabolism of BD between rats and humans.

Abstract 4473: Urinary biomarkers of exposure to 1,3-Butadiene and its bioactivation to DNA-reactive metabolites

Abstract 1,3-butadiene (BD) is one of the most potent and abundant carcinogens present in cigarette smoke. BD is metabolically activated to 3,4-epoxy-1-butene (EB), 1,2,3,4-diepoxy butane (DEB), hydroxymethylvinylketone (HMVK), and 3,4-epoxy-1,2-butanediol (EBD), which can react with DNA nucleobases and proteins to form promutagenic adducts. Alternatively, these electrophilic metabolites can be detoxified via hydrolysis or conjugation with glutathione. The glutathione conjugates of these metabolites are ultimately excreted in urine as 1-hydroxy 2-(N-acetylcysteinyl)-3-butene (MHBMA), 1,4-bis-(N-acetylcysteinyl)butane-2,3-diol (bis-BDMA), 1,2-dihydroxy-4-(N-acetylcysteinyl)-butane (DHBMA), and 1,2,3-trihydroxy-4-(N-acetylcysteinyl)-butane (THBMA), respectively. Since epoxide metabolites of BD are thought to be responsible for its adverse health effects, it is important to develop specific biomarkers of their formation in vivo to be used in molecular epidemiology studies. While MHBMA, DHBMA, THBMA have been previously detected in smoker's urine, bis-BDMA has not been reported. In the present study, novel stable isotope dilution HPLC-ESI-MS/MS methods for accurate and precise quantification of MHBMA, DHBMA, THBMA, and bis-BDMA in urine have been developed. Dose dependent formation of all BD-mercapturic acids including bis-BDMA was observed in urine samples from male and female F344 rats exposed to 0, 62.5 and 200 ppm of BD for 2 weeks by inhalation. The relative amounts of MHBMA, DHBMA, THBMA, and bis-BDMA in rat urine were 20:50:50:1. Furthermore, MHBMA, DHBMA, and THBMA were detected in urine samples from known smokers and non-smokers, with significantly higher concentrations observed in smokers. The mean levels of these BD-mercapturic acids in smokers were 3, 340, and 27 ng/mg creatinine, respectively. In contrast, bis-BDMA could not be detected in human urine samples, probably a result of the inefficient DEB formation in humans. These methods are now being applied to a multi-ethnic cohort study to identify any differences in metabolism that contribute to ethnic and inter-individual differences in lung cancer incidence. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4473. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-4473

Quantitative Analysis of Trihydroxybutyl Mercapturic Acid, a Urinary Metabolite of 1,3-Butadiene, in Humans

1,3-Butadiene (BD) is a known human carcinogen present in cigarette smoke and in automobile exhaust, leading to widespread exposure of human populations. BD requires cytochrome P450-mediated metabolic activation to electrophilic species, e.g. 3,4-epoxy-1-butene (EB), hydroxymethyl vinyl ketone (HMVK), and 3,4-epoxy-1,2-diol (EBD), which form covalent adducts with DNA. EB, HMVK, and EBD can be conjugated with glutathione and ultimately excreted in urine as monohydroxybutenyl mercapturic acid (MHBMA), dihydroxybutyl mercapturic acid (DHBMA), and trihydroxybutyl mercapturic acid (THBMA), respectively, which can serve as biomarkers of BD exposure and metabolic processing. While MHBMA and DHBMA have been found in smokers and nonsmokers, THBMA has not been previously detected in humans. In the present work, an isotope dilution HPLC-ESI(-)-MS/MS methodology was developed and employed to quantify THBMA in urine of known smokers and nonsmokers (19-27 per group). The new method has excellent sensitivity (LOQ, 1 ng/mL urine) and achieves accurate quantitation using a small sample volume (100 μL). Mean urinary THBMA concentrations in smokers and nonsmokers were found to be 21.6 and 13.7 ng/mg creatinine, respectively, suggesting that there are sources of THBMA other than exposure to tobacco smoke in humans, as is also the case for DHBMA. However, THBMA concentrations are significantly greater in urine of smokers than that of nonsmokers (p < 0.01). Furthermore, THBMA amounts in human urine declined 25-50% following smoking cessation, suggesting that smoking is an important source of this metabolite in humans. The HPLC-ESI(-)-MS/MS methodology developed in the present work will be useful for future epidemiological studies of BD exposure and metabolism.

Mass Spectral Analyses of Hydroxymethylvinyl Ketone-Hemoglobin Adducts Formed after in Vivo Exposure of Sprague−Dawley Rats to 3-Butene-1,2-diol

3-Butene-1,2-diol (BDD), a known in vivo metabolite of 1,3-butadiene, is oxidized to a reactive Michael acceptor, hydroxymethylvinyl ketone (HMVK). Previously, we characterized the formation of three HMVK-amino acid monoadducts when HMVK was incubated in vitro with N-acetyl-l-cysteine, l-valinamide, and N-acetyl-l-lysine (NAL) at physiological conditions. One HMVK-NAL cyclic diadduct (cyclic diadduct 1) also formed by sequential Michael addition reactions of two HMVK molecules with the epsilon-amino group of NAL followed by enolization and cyclization. Loss of a water molecule and autoxidation convert cyclic diadduct 1 to a more stable cyclic diadduct 2. In the present study, we used multiple mass spectrometry techniques to investigate the formation of HMVK adducts with nucleophilic residues of Hb in vivo after dosing Sprague-Dawley rats with 25 and 200 mg/kg BDD. Trypsin-digested globin peptides with mass shifts consistent with the presence of HMVK monoadducts and cyclic diadducts were detected by LC/electrospray-quadrupole time-of-flight/MS with all rats given BDD. Use of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization/Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance provided further evidence for the formation of HMVK monoadducts and cyclic diadducts, and use of LC/MS/MS provided unequivocal evidence for adduction of HMVK with Cys125 of globin beta chains. Because BDD can also be oxidized to 1,2-dihydroxy-3,4-epoxybutane (EBD), the formation of N(2)-(2,3,4-trihydroxybutyl) (THB)-Hb adducts was also investigated in rats given BDD, and several peptides modified by THB were detected. However, because HMVK incubations with red blood cells in vitro also led to the detection of THB-Hb adducts, the THB adducts formed in vivo could be attributed to formation of HMVK, EBD, or both. Collectively, the results provide new insights into the reaction of HMVK with proteins.

Formation of Mono- and Bis-Michael Adducts by the Reaction of Nucleophilic Amino Acids with Hydroxymethylvinyl Ketone, a Reactive Metabolite of 1,3-Butadiene

Previously, our laboratory has shown that hydroxymethylvinyl ketone (HMVK), a Michael acceptor oxidation product of the 1,3-butadiene metabolite, 3-butene-1,2-diol, readily reacts with hemoglobin at physiological conditions and that mass spectrometry of trypsin-digested peptides suggested adduct formation with various nucleophilic amino acids. In the present study, we characterized reactions ofHMVK (3 mM) with three model nucleophilic amino acids (6 and/or 15 mM): N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC),L-valinamide, and N-acetyl-L-lysine (NAL). NAC was the most reactive toward HMVK followed by L-valinamide and NAL. HMVK incubations with each amino acid at pH 7.4 and 37 degrees C resulted in the formation of a mono-Michael adduct. In addition, HMVK incubated with NAL gave rise to two additional bis-Michael adducts characterized by LC/MS, LC/MS/MS, 1H NMR, and 1H-detected heteronuclear single quantum correlation. The relative ratios of areas of NAL monoadduct (adduct 1) and diadducts (adducts 2 and 3) at 6 h were 49, 21, and 30% of total product area, respectively. The formation of adduct 2 was dependent upon the presence of both adduct 1 and HMVK, whereas the formation of adduct 3 was dependent upon the presence of adduct 2 only. Monoadducts were formed by a Michael addition reaction of one HMVK moiety with nucleophilic amino acid, whereas NAL diadducts were products of two Michael addition reactions of two HMVK moieties followed by enolization and formation of an octameric cyclic product. NAL diadduct (adduct 3) was formed by loss of a water molecule from adduct 2 followed by autoxidation of one of the hydroxy groups, yielding a diketone conjugated system. Collectively, our results provide strong evidence that HMVK can react with various nucleophilic residues and form different types of adducts, suggesting that a variety of proteins may be subjected to these modifications, which could result in loss of protein function.

The importance of 3,4-epoxy-1,2-butanediol and hydroxymethylvinyl ketone in 3-butene-1,2-diol associated mutagenicity

1,2:3,4-Diepoxybutane is hypothesized to be the main intermediate involved in mutagenicity following exposure to low levels of 1,3-butadiene (BD) in mice, while metabolites of 3-butene-1,2-diol (BD-diol) are thought to become involved in both rats and mice at higher exposures. BD-diol is biotransformed to hydroxymethylvinyl ketone (HMVK), a potentially mutagenic metabolite, and 3,4-epoxy-1,2-butanediol (EB-diol), a known mutagen. To determine the relative importance of HMVK and EB-diol in BD-diol associated mutagenesis, we have examined the dosimetry of a HMVK derived DNA adduct, as well as EB-diol derived DNA and hemoglobin adducts, in rodents exposed to BD-diol. We previously demonstrated similarities in the shapes of the dose–response curves for EB-diol derived DNA adducts, hemoglobin adducts, and Hprt mutant frequencies in BD-diol exposed rodents, indicating that EB-diol was involved in the mutagenic response associated with BD-diol exposure. To examine the role of HMVK in BD-diol mutagenicity, a method to quantify the α-regioisomer of HMVK derived 1, N 2-propanodeoxyguanosine (α-HMVK-dGuo) was developed. The method involved enzymatic hydrolysis of DNA, HPLC purification, and adduct measurement by liquid chromatography – tandem mass spectrometry. Intra- and inter-experimental variabilities were determined to be 2.3–18.2 and 4.1%, respectively. The limit of detection was ∼5 fmol of analyte standard injected onto the column or 5 fmol/200 μg DNA. The method was used to analyze liver DNA from control female F344 rats and female F344 rats exposed to 36 ppm BD-diol. In addition, liver samples from female Sprague–Dawley rats exposed to 1000 ppm BD were analyzed. α-HMVK-dGuo was not detected in any of the samples analyzed. Several possible explanations exist for the negative results including the possibility that α-HMVK-dGuo may be a minor adduct or may be efficiently repaired. Alternatively, HMVK itself may be readily detoxified by glutathione (GSH) conjugation. While experiments must be conducted to understand the exact mechanism(s), these results, in addition to published EB-diol derived adduct dosimetry and existing HMVK derived mercapturic acid data, suggest that EB-diol is primarily responsible for BD-diol induced mutagenicity in rodents.

Methyl vinyl ketone induces apoptosis in murine GT1-7 hypothalamic neurons through glutathione depletion and the generation of reactive oxygen species

α,β-Unsaturated carbonyl compounds have been implicated in a number of environmentally-related diseases. Often, the presence of α,β-unsaturated carbonyl functionality as part of either an aliphatic or cyclic structure is considered a structural alert for cytotoxicity. We examined the cytotoxicity of methyl vinyl ketone (MVK), an aliphatic, straight-chain α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compound, in murine GT1-7 hypothalamic neurons. In addition to its widespread environmental occurrence, MVK was selected due to its extensive use in the chemical industry. Also, MVK is a close structural analog of hydroxymethylvinyl ketone that, in part, mediates the cytotoxic effects of 1,3-butadiene in vivo. It was found that MVK at low micromolar concentrations induced extensive cell death that retained key features of apoptosis such as chromatin condensation and DNA fragmentation. The MVK-induced apoptosis was associated with depletion of glutathione, disruption of mitochondrial transmembrane potential, and increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Supplementation of neuronal cells with Trolox offered partial, but significant, protection against the MVK-induced cytotoxicity, presumably due to scavenging of ROS in situ. The suggested sequence of events in the MVK-induced apoptosis in neuronal cells involves the depletion of cellular glutathione followed by an increased generation of ROS and finally the loss of mitochondrial function.

Effect of n-hexane on the disposition and toxicity of the 1,3-butadiene metabolite 3-butene-1,2-diol

3-Butene-1,2-diol (butenediol), a major metabolite of 1,3-butadiene (butadiene), can undergo either detoxification or biotransformation to potentially toxic metabolites, including 3,4-epoxy-1,2-butanediol and hydroxymethylvinyl ketone (HMVK). Butadiene exposure can occur concomitantly with hexanes, which share common biotransformation pathways with butadiene. To determine the potential influence of hexane co-exposure on butadiene toxicity, the present study examined the effect of n-hexane on butenediol disposition [as measured by urinary excretion of (N-acetyl-S-(3,4-dihydroxybutyl)-L-cysteine) (MI level)] and genotoxicity (as measured by the frequency of bone marrow micronucleated erythrocytes) and acute toxicity (as measured by body weight changes) in the rat. The results show that butenediol was not genotoxic to adult or immature rats but was acutely toxic to adult but not immature rats. The results also suggest that n-hexane co-exposure may attenuate the acute toxicity by butenediol in adult rats and that immature rats may be less sensitive than adults to the acute toxicity.

Mass spectral analyses of hemoglobin adducts formed after in vitro exposure of erythrocytes to hydroxymethylvinyl ketone

Hydroxymethylvinyl ketone (HMVK) is a reactive oxidation product of 3-butene-1,2-diol, a metabolite of 1,3-butadiene. The potential for HMVK (0.1 and 1mM) to form hemoglobin (Hb) adducts in erythrocytes from Sprague-Dawley rats was investigated at physiological conditions (pH 7.4, 37 degrees C) using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI/MS). With the 0.1mM HMVK globin samples, the results indicate HMVK adduction on the alpha2, beta2 and beta3 chains. With the 1.0mM HMVK globin samples, adducts were detected on the beta2 and beta3 chains. However, no correlation was observed between incubation time and the extent of adduct formation, and additional adducts were detected when globin samples were fractionated by HPLC before the ESI/MS analyses. For specific localizations of adducts on the globin chains, trypsin digested peptides from the 1mM HMVK globin samples were subjected to liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry analyses. The results, which are consistent with formation of HMVK adducts on several specific peptides within the alpha- and beta-chains, suggest selectivity in the interaction of HMVK with the different cysteine residues in Hb. Because adducts were also detected in peptides containing no cysteine residues and multiple HMVK moieties were detected on some of the cysteine-containing peptides, the results suggest other amino acids may be also reactive with HMVK. Adduct profiles and their relative intensities were consistent between the 1 and 2h samples providing evidence for the HMVK reactions being fast and selective. The finding that fewer peptides were adducted in the 0.1mM HMVK globin samples provides further evidence for selectivity of the HMVK reaction. Collectively, the results show HMVK readily and selectively forms adducts on Hb. Characterization of these adducts will facilitate development of useful biomarkers of exposure to HMVK and its precursor 1,3-butadiene.

Quantification of DNA and hemoglobin adducts of 3,4-epoxy-1,2-butanediol in rodents exposed to 3-butene-1,2-diol

1,3-Butadiene (BD) is a confirmed rodent carcinogen and a suspect human carcinogen that forms mutagenic epoxide metabolites during biotransformation. Species differences in the roles of individual DNA reactive intermediates in BD mutagenicity and carcinogenicity are not completely understood. Evidence suggests that 1,2:3,4-diepoxybutane (DEB) is responsible for the mutagenic effect induced by exposures to low concentrations of BD in mice and that metabolites of 3-butene-1,2-diol (BD-diol) are involved in the mutagenicity at high exposures in both mice and rats. Two reactive metabolites, 3,4-epoxy-1,2-butanediol (EB-diol) and hydroxymethylvinyl ketone (HMVK), are formed during the biotransformation of BD-diol and could potentially be involved in BD-diol associated mutagenicity. To examine the role of EB-diol in BD-diol mutagenicity we have evaluated the dosimetry of N7-(2,3,4-trihydroxybutyl)guanine (THB-Gua) and N-(2,3,4-trihydroxybutyl)valine (THB-Val) in female B6C3F1 mice and female F344 rats exposed by inhalation to 0, 6, 18 and 36 p.p.m. BD-diol for 4 weeks (6 h/day x 5 days/week). Results showed higher levels of both THB-Gua and THB-Val in mice than in rats. An evaluation of THB-Gua adducts showed virtually no differences between liver and lung for either species, suggesting that EB-diol is stable and is freely circulated. The data also indicated that THB adduct formation began to plateau around 18 p.p.m. in both species. Most importantly, the shape of the dose-response curve for THB adduct formation mimicked the one observed for hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (Hprt) mutation frequency. This showed that THB adducts, which are not thought to be responsible for causing the mutations, are good quantitative indicators of mutagenicity in rodents exposed to BD-diol. Although the potential contribution of HMVK still needs to be evaluated, the data suggest that EB-diol is responsible, at least in part, for BD-diol associated mutagenicity in rodents.

Mercapturic acid urinary metabolites of 3-butene-1,2-diol as in vivo evidence for the formation of hydroxymethylvinyl ketone in mice and rats.

3-Butene-1,2-diol (BDD), a major metabolite of 1,3-butadiene (BD), can readily be oxidized to hydroxymethylvinyl ketone (HMVK), a Michael acceptor. In previous studies, 4-(N-acetyl-l-cystein-S-yl)-1,2-dihydroxybutane (DHB), a urinary metabolite of BD that was used to assess human BD exposure, was suggested to be a metabolite of HMVK, but DHB formation from BDD and the formation of the DHB precursor 4-(N-acetyl-l-cystein-S-yl)-1-hydroxy-2-butanone (HB) have not been previously investigated. In the current study, four HMVK-derived mercapturic acids [DHB, HB, 3-(N-acetyl-l-cystein-S-yl)propan-1-ol (POH), and 3-(N-acetyl-l-cystein-S-yl)propanoic acid (PA)] were identified in the urine of mice and rats given BDD (284-2272 micromol/kg, i.p.) based on GC/MS analyses and comparisons with synthetic standards after esterification and silylation of the carboxyl and hydroxyl groups, respectively. The combined amounts of the mercapturic acids excreted after BDD exposure were dose-dependent and were mostly similar between mice and rats given equivalent doses of BDD. The mercapturic acids accounted for a greater fraction of the administered BDD dose as the dose was lowered, suggesting that HMVK formation represents a prominent route for BDD metabolism in both mice and rats. The major mercapturic acid excreted by mice was DHB, whereas rats excreted equivalent amounts of DHB and HB. The levels of POH or PA were significantly lower in both species relative to DHB or HB. The observed species differences in the excretion of DHB and HB were thought to be due to differences in the capacity of mice and rats to reduce HB to DHB.

1,N2-propanodeoxyguanosine adducts of the 1,3-butadiene metabolite, hydroxymethylvinyl ketone.

1,3-Butadiene (BD) is a rodent and human carcinogen. While several epoxides formed during BD metabolism are mutagenic and may contribute to BD carcinogenicity, another proposed metabolite, hydroxymethylvinyl ketone (HMVK), could also be involved. A significant quantity of HMVK is likely to be formed since it is a proposed intermediate in the metabolism of 3-butene-1,2-diol (BD-diol) to 1,2-dihydroxy-4-(N-acetylcysteinyl)butane, the major mercapturic acid metabolite of BD in humans. In addition, BD-diol is a major BD metabolite in liver perfusion experiments in rodents. By analogy with other alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyls, HMVK is likely to be mutagenic via formation of promutagenic 1,N(2)-propanodeoxyguanosine adducts. The objective of the current study was to investigate the formation of such adducts in vitro. The reaction between HMVK and dGuo yielded two major products shown to be identical by positive ion electrospray-MS, having protonated molecular ions with m/z consistent with HMVK-derived 1,N(2)-propanodeoxyguanosine (HMVK-dGuo). Rechromatography of each fraction yielded two fractions with retention times identical to those initially isolated, suggesting equilibration between two diastereomers. Two partially resolved sets of (1)H NMR signals were consistent with a 1:1 mixture of diastereomeric C-6-substituted adducts equilibrating slowly on an NMR time-scale. Following deglycosylation, C-6 substitution was verified by two-dimensional correlation NMR spectroscopy, indicating that the initial adducts were formed by Michael addition of dGuo-N1 to the terminal vinyl carbon followed by cyclization to the 1,N(2)-propano structure. Reactions with calf thymus DNA under physiological conditions yielded two sets of products. The first set had HPLC retention times and mass spectra identical to those of the previously characterized C-6-substituted HMVK-dGuo diastereomers. The second set had a molecular ion and fragmentation pattern identical to the C-6-substituted adducts and on this basis were assigned as the diastereomeric C-8 adducts. In addition to detecting HMVK-dGuo in treated DNA, the adducts were also present in control DNA. Overall, our research demonstrates that HMVK can form promutagenic DNA adducts and it therefore has the potential to play a role in BD-associated mutagenicity.

Hydroxymethylvinyl ketone: a reactive Michael acceptor formed by the oxidation of 3-butene-1,2-diol by cDNA-expressed human cytochrome P450s and mouse, rat, and human liver microsomes.

The metabolic fate of 3-butene-1,2-diol (BDD), a secondary metabolite of the industrial carcinogen, 1,3-butadiene, is unclear. The current study characterizes BDD oxidation to hydroxymethylvinyl ketone (HMVK), a reactive Michael acceptor. Because of its instability in aqueous medium, HMVK was trapped by conjugation with GSH, a reaction that occurred readily at physiological conditions (pH 7.4, 37 degrees C) to yield 1-hydroxy-2-keto-4-(S-glutathionyl)butane. The results show that BDD was oxidized to HMVK by mouse, rat, and human liver microsomes and by cDNA-expressed human cytochrome P450s. Eadie-Hofstee plots demonstrated biphasic kinetics of BDD oxidation with mouse and rat liver microsomes and one of three individual human liver microsomes; BDD oxidation by the other two human liver microsomal samples was best described by monophasic kinetics. Of the human P450 enzymes examined, only P450 2E1 exhibited activity at 1 mM BDD. P450 3A4 was capable of catalyzing the reaction at a high BDD (10 mM) concentration; P450 1A1, 1A2, 1B1, 2D6-Met, and 2D6-Val produced only trace amounts of HMVK-GSH whereas P450 2A6, 2C8, 2C9, and 4A11 had no detectable activity. Detection of HMVK or the HMVK-GSH conjugate was dependent on reaction time, protein, and BDD concentrations, and the presence of NADPH. Collectively, the results provide clear evidence for BDD bioactivation to yield HMVK. Because mouse, rat, and human liver microsomes exhibited K(m) values of 50-80 microM, the results also suggest that HMVK could be formed after rodent or human exposure to BDD or its parent compound, BD.

Synthesis and reactions of trinitromethyl compounds

Nitroform (trinitromethane) adds readily in a Michael type of addition to α, β-unsaturated compounds such as acrylic acid and its esters, hydroxymethyl vinyl ketone, and nitroethylene. The synthesis of 2-nitro-3-acetoxy-1-propene and its unique reaction with 1,1-dinitroethane and nitroform is described. 4,4,4-Trinitrobutyric acid was converted to 3,3,3-trinitropropyl isocyanate and 3,3,3-trinitropropyl amine hydrochloride. Trinitromethyl carbamates were prepared by the addition of 2,2,2-trinitroethanol to various isocyanates and the addition of different alcohols to 3,3,3-trinitropropyl isocyanate. Trinitromethyl amines were prepared by the Mannich condensation of 2,2,2-trinitroethanol with various primary amines and the reaction of 3,3,3-trinitropropyl amine with nitroalcohols. All of these carbamates and secondary amines were converted to the corresponding N-nitro derivatives. The synthesis of trinitromethyl heterocyclic compounds and 2,2,2-trinitroethyl esters is also reported.