Induction Of Single-strand Breaks Research Articles

Quantification of damage to plasmid DNA from 35MeV electrons, 228MeV protons and 300 kVp X-rays in varying hydroxyl radical scavenging environments.

The pBR322 plasmid DNA was irradiated with 35MeV electrons, 228MeV protons and 300 kVp X-rays to quantify DNA damage and make comparisons of DNA damage between radiation modalities. Plasmid was irradiated in a medium containing hydroxyl radical scavengers in varying concentrations. This altered the amount of indirect hydroxyl-mediated DNA damage, to create an environment that is more closely associated with a biological cell. We show that increasing hydroxyl scavenger concentration significantly reduced post-irradiation DNA damage to pBR322 plasmid DNA consistently and equally with three radiation modalities. At low scavenging capacities, irradiation with both 35MeV electrons and 228MeV protons resulted in increased DNA damage per dose compared with 300 kVp X-rays. We quantify both single-strand break (SSB) and double-strand break (DSB) induction between the modalities as a ratio of yields relative to X-rays, referred to as relative biological effectiveness (RBE). RBESSB values of 1.16 ± 0.15 and 1.18 ± 0.08 were calculated for protons and electrons, respectively, in a low hydroxyl scavenging environment containing 1mM Tris-HCl for SSB induction. In higher hydroxyl scavenging capacity environments (above 1.1 × 106s-1), no significant differences in DNA damage induction were found between radiation modalities when using SSB induction as a measure of RBE. Considering DSB induction, significant differences were only found between X-rays and 35MeV electrons, with an RBEDSB of 1.72 ± 0.91 for 35MeV electrons, indicating that electrons result in significantly more SSBs and DSBs per unit of dose than 300 kVp X-rays.

Induction of damage to the dna structure of tumor cells by aurum polyacrylate

The ability of aurum polyacrylate (aurumacryl) to cause changes in the DNA structure of tumor cells (culture of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells) was studied. It was established that the molecular mechanism under- lying the effects of aurumacryl on tumor cells is associated with the induction of single-strand breaks and cross-links in the DNA molecule. At the same time, it was shown that aurumacryl can reduce the number of spontaneous, or irradiated, DNA double-strand breaks in MCF-7 cells.

Induction of DNA strand breaks and oxidative base damages in plasmid DNA by ultra-high dose rate proton irradiation

Purpose Radiation cancer therapy with ultra-high dose rate (UHDR) exposure, so-called FLASH radiotherapy, appears to reduce normal tissue damage without compromising tumor response to therapy. The aim of this study was to clarify whether a 59.5 MeV proton beam at an UHDR of 48.6 Gy/s could effectively reduce the DNA damage of pBR322 plasmid DNA in solution compared to the conventional dose rate (CONV) of 0.057 Gy/s. Materials and Methods A simple system, consisting of pBR322 plasmid DNA in 1× Tris-EDTA buffer, was initially employed for proton beam exposure. We then used formamidopyrimidine-DNA glycosylase (Fpg) enzymes. which convert oxidative base damages of oxidized purines to DNA strand breaks, to quantify DNA single strand breaks (SSBs) and double strand breaks (DSBs) by agarose gel electrophoresis. Results Our findings showed that the SSB induction rate (SSB per plasmid DNA/Gy) at UHDR and the induction of Fpg enzyme sensitive sites (ESS) were significantly reduced in UHDR compared to CONV. However, there was no significant difference in DSB induction and non-DSB cluster damages. Conclusions UHDR of a 59.5 MeV proton beam could reduce non-clustered, non-DSB damages, such as SSB and sparsely distributed ESS. However, this effect may not be significant in reducing lethal DNA damage that becomes apparent only in acute radiation effects of mammalian cells and in vivo studies.

DNA strand break induction of aqueous plasmid DNA exposed to 30 MeV protons at ultra-high dose rate.

Radiation cancer therapy with ultra-high dose rate exposure, so called FLASH radiotherapy, appears to reduce normal tissue damage without compromising tumor response. The aim of this study was to clarify whether FLASH exposure of proton beam would be effective in reducing the DNA strand break induction. We applied a simple model system, pBR322 plasmid DNA in aqueous 1 × TE solution, where DNA single strand breaks (SSBs) and double strand breaks (DSBs) can be precisely quantified by gel electrophoresis. Plasmid DNA were exposed to 27.5 MeV protons in the conventional dose rate of 0.05 Gy/s (CONV) and ultra-high dose rate of 40 Gy/s (FLASH). With both dose rate, the kinetics of the SSB and DSB induction were proportional to absorbed dose. The SSB induction of FLASH was significantly less than CONV, which were 8.79 ± 0.14 (10−3 SSB per Gy per molecule) and 10.8 ± 0.68 (10−3 SSB per Gy per molecule), respectively. The DSB induction of FLASH was also slightly less than CONV, but difference was not significant. Altogether, 27.5 MeV proton beam at 40 Gy/s reduced SSB and not DSB, thus its effect may not be significant in reducing lethal DNA damage that become apparent in acute radiation effect.

TOPAS-nBio validation for simulating water radiolysis and DNA damage under low-LET irradiation

The chemical stage of the Monte Carlo track-structure simulation code Geant4-DNA has been revised and validated. The root-mean-square (RMS) empirical parameter that dictates the displacement of water molecules after an ionization and excitation event in Geant4-DNA has been shortened to better fit experimental data. The pre-defined dissociation channels and branching ratios were not modified, but the reaction rate coefficients for simulating the chemical stage of water radiolysis were updated. The evaluation of Geant4-DNA was accomplished with TOPAS-nBio. For that, we compared predicted time-dependent G values in pure liquid water for ·OH, e– aq, and H2 with published experimental data. For H2O2 and H·, simulation of added scavengers at different concentrations resulted in better agreement with measurements. In addition, DNA geometry information was integrated with chemistry simulation in TOPAS-nBio to realize reactions between radiolytic chemical species and DNA. This was used in the estimation of the yield of single-strand breaks (SSB) induced by 137Cs γ-ray radiolysis of supercoiled pUC18 plasmids dissolved in aerated solutions containing DMSO. The efficiency of SSB induction by reaction between radiolytic species and DNA used in the simulation was chosen to provide the best agreement with published measurements. An RMS displacement of 1.24 nm provided agreement with measured data within experimental uncertainties for time-dependent G values and under the presence of scavengers. SSB efficiencies of 24% and 0.5% for ·OH and H·, respectively, led to an overall agreement of TOPAS-nBio results within experimental uncertainties. The efficiencies obtained agreed with values obtained with published non-homogeneous kinetic model and step-by-step Monte Carlo simulations but disagreed by 12% with published direct measurements. Improvement of the spatial resolution of the DNA damage model might mitigate such disagreement. In conclusion, with these improvements, Geant4-DNA/TOPAS-nBio provides a fast, accurate, and user-friendly tool for simulating DNA damage under low linear energy transfer irradiation.

Oxidative stress in the skin: Impact and related protection.

Skin, our first interface to the external environment, is subjected to oxidative stress caused by a variety of factors such as solar ultraviolet, infrared and visible light, environmental pollution, including ozone and particulate matters, and psychological stress. Excessive reactive species, including reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species, exacerbate skin pigmentation and aging, which further lead to skin tone unevenness, pigmentary disorder, skin roughness and wrinkles. Besides these, skin microbiota are also a very important factor ensuring the proper functions of skin. While environmental factors such as UV and pollutants impact skin microbiota compositions, skin dysbiosis results in various skin conditions. In this review, we summarize the generation of oxidative stress from exogenous and endogenous sources. We further introduce current knowledge on the possible roles of oxidative stress in skin pigmentation and aging, specifically with emphasis on oxidative stress and skin pigmentation. Meanwhile, we summarize the science and rationale of using three well-known antioxidants, namely vitamin C, resveratrol and ferulic acid, in the treatment of hyperpigmentation. Finally, we discuss the strategy for preventing oxidative stress-induced skin pigmentation and aging.

COMPARISON OF TWO BIOMODELS (BALB/C MICE AND SPRAGUE DAWLEY RATS) IN THE ALKALINE COMET ASSAY

<p>This article had as objective to carry out a comparison between Balb/c mice and Sprague Dawley rats as biomodel in the alkaline comet assay, keeping in mind the basal frequency and that induced with Cyclophosphamide, the induction of single strand breaks (SSB) or alkali-labile sites formation on DNA of peripheral blood leukocytes. Ten animal/sex/species/group of Balb/c mice and Sprague Dawley rats were used, and treated for 14 days. Using a negative control group (not treated), two substance-vehicle controls and a positive control received cyclophosphamide 50 mg/kg, via intraperitoneal. After two weeks the alkaline electrophoresis gel was performed for individual cells from leukocytes of peripheral blood to screen for possible DNA damage. The best biomodel in both sexes was the SD rats differing significantly with the results obtained in Balb/c mice keeping in mind the spontaneous and induced values of DNA damage. This study shows SD rats are a more efficient model for preclinical genotoxic evaluation of drugs, vaccines and natural products.</p>

Mechanistic DNA damage simulations in Geant4-DNA part 1: A parameter study in a simplified geometry

Mechanistic modelling of DNA damage in Monte Carlo simulations is highly sensitive to the parameters that define DNA damage. In this work, we use a simple testing geometry to investigate how different choices of physics models and damage model parameters can change the estimation of DNA damage in a mechanistic DNA damage simulation built in Geant4-DNA. The choice of physics model can lead to variations by up to a factor of two in the yield of physically induced strand breaks, and the parameters that determine scavenging, and physical and chemical single strand break induction can have even larger consequences. Using low energy electrons as primary particles, a variety of parameters are tested in this geometry in order to arrive at a parameter set consistent with past simulation studies. We find that the modelling of scavenging can play an important role in determining results, and speculate that high-scavenging regimes, where only chemical radicals within 1 nm of DNA are simulated, could provide a good means of testing mechanistic DNA simulations.

Genotoxic potential of diesel exhaust particles from the combustion of first- and second-generation biodiesel fuels\u2014the FuelHealth project

Epidemiological data indicate that exposure to diesel exhaust particles (DEPs) from traffic emissions is associated with higher risk of morbidity and mortality related to cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases, accelerated progression of atherosclerotic plaques, and possible lung cancer. While the impact of DEPs from combustion of fossil diesel fuel on human health has been extensively studied, current knowledge of DEPs from combustion of biofuels provides limited and inconsistent information about its mutagenicity and genotoxicity, as well as possible adverse health risks. The objective of the present work was to compare the genotoxicity of DEPs from combustion of two first-generation fuels, 7% fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) (B7) and 20% FAME (B20), and a second-generation 20% FAME/hydrotreated vegetable oil (SHB: synthetic hydrocarbon biofuel) fuel. Our results revealed that particulate engine emissions from each type of biodiesel fuel induced genotoxic effects in BEAS-2B and A549 cells, manifested as the increased levels of single-strand breaks, the increased frequencies of micronuclei, or the deregulated expression of genes involved in DNA damage signaling pathways. We also found that none of the tested DEPs showed the induction of oxidative DNA damage and the gamma-H2AX-detectable double-strand breaks. The most pronounced differences concerning the tested particles were observed for the induction of single-strand breaks, with the greatest genotoxicity being associated with the B7-derived DEPs. The differences in other effects between DEPs from the different biodiesel blend percentage and biodiesel feedstock were also observed, but the magnitude of these variations was limited.

DNA protection by ectoine from ionizing radiation: molecular mechanisms.

Ectoine, a compatible solute and osmolyte, is known to be an effective protectant of biomolecules and whole cells against heating, freezing and extreme salinity. Protection of cells (human keratinocytes) by ectoine against ultraviolet radiation has also been reported by various authors, although the underlying mechanism is not yet understood. We present the first electron irradiation of DNA in a fully aqueous environment in the presence of ectoine and at high salt concentrations. The results demonstrate effective protection of DNA by ectoine against the induction of single-strand breaks by ionizing radiation. The effect is explained by an increase in low-energy electron scattering at the enhanced free-vibrational density of states of water due to ectoine, as well as the use of ectoine as an ˙OH-radical scavenger. This was demonstrated by Raman spectroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR).

DNA-binding studies of AV-153, an antimutagenic and DNA repair-stimulating derivative of 1,4-dihydropiridine

The ability to intercalate between DNA strands determines the cytotoxic activity of numerous anticancer drugs. Strikingly, intercalating activity was also reported for some compounds considered to be antimutagenic. The aim of this study was to determine the mode of interaction of DNA with the antimutagenic and DNA repair-stimulating dihydropyridine (DHP) AV-153. DNA and AV-153 interactions were studied by means of UV/VIS spectroscopy, fluorimetry and infrared spectroscopy.Compound AV-153 is a 1,4 dihydropyridine with ethoxycarbonyl groups in positions 3 and 5. Computer modeling of AV-153 and DNA interactions suggested an ability of the compound to dock between DNA strands at a single strand break site in the vicinity of two pyrimidines, which was confirmed in the present study. AV-153 evidently interacted with DNA, as addition of DNA to AV-153 solutions resulted in pronounced hyperchromic and bathochromic effects on the spectra. Base modification in a plasmid by peroxynitrite only minimally changed binding affinity of the compound; however, induction of single-strand breaks using Fenton’s reaction greatly increased binding affinity. The affinity did not change when the ionic strength of the solution was changed from 5 to 150mM NaCl, although it increased somewhat at 300mM. Neither was it influenced by temperature changes from 25 to 40°C, however, it decreased when the pH of the solution was changed from 7.4 to 4.7. AV-153 competed with EBr for intercalation sites in DNA: 116mM of the compound caused a two-fold decrease in fluorescence intensity. FT-IR spectral data analyses indicated formation of complexes between DNA and AV-153. The second derivative spectra analyses indicated interaction of AV-153 with guanine, cytosine and thymine bases, but no interaction with adenine was detected. ConclusionsThe antimutagenic substance AV-153 appears to intercalate between the DNA strands at the site of a DNA nick in the vicinity of two pyrimidines.

Correlation between energy deposition and molecular damage from Auger electrons: A case study of ultra-low energy (5-18 eV) electron interactions with DNA.

The present study introduces a new method to establish a direct correlation between biologically related physical parameters (i.e., stopping and damaging cross sections, respectively) for an Auger-electron emitting radionuclide decaying within a target molecule (e.g., DNA), so as to evaluate the efficacy of the radionuclide at the molecular level. These parameters can be applied to the dosimetry of Auger electrons and the quantification of their biological effects, which are the main criteria to assess the therapeutic efficacy of Auger-electron emitting radionuclides. Absorbed dose and stopping cross section for the Auger electrons of 5-18 eV emitted by(125)I within DNA were determined by developing a nanodosimetric model. The molecular damages induced by these Auger electrons were investigated by measuring damaging cross section, including that for the formation of DNA single- and double-strand breaks. Nanoscale films of pure plasmid DNA were prepared via the freeze-drying technique and subsequently irradiated with low-energy electrons at various fluences. The damaging cross sections were determined by employing a molecular survival model to the measured exposure-response curves for induction of DNA strand breaks. For a single decay of(125)I within DNA, the Auger electrons of 5-18 eV deposit the energies of 12.1 and 9.1 eV within a 4.2-nm(3) volume of a hydrated or dry DNA, which results in the absorbed doses of 270 and 210 kGy, respectively. DNA bases have a major contribution to the deposited energies. Ten-electronvolt and high linear energy transfer 100-eV electrons have a similar cross section for the formation of DNA double-strand break, while 100-eV electrons are twice as efficient as 10 eV in the induction of single-strand break. Ultra-low-energy electrons (<18 eV) substantially contribute to the absorbed dose and to the molecular damage from Auger-electron emitting radionuclides; hence, they should be considered in the dosimetry calculation of such radionuclides. Moreover, absorbed dose is not an appropriate physical parameter for nanodosimetry. Instead, stopping cross section, which describes the probability of energy deposition in a target molecule can be an appropriate nanodosimetric parameter. The stopping cross section is correlated with a damaging cross section (e.g., cross section for the double-strand break formation) to quantify the number of each specific lesion in a target molecule for each nuclear decay of a single Auger-electron emitting radionuclide.

Abstract 3332: An artificial zinc finger glycosylase causes site-directed DNA damages and specifically kills the targeted cancer cells via synthetic lethality.

Abstract Synthetic lethality is a new developed therapy, in which PARP inhibitor selectively kills BRCA-deficient cancer cells. However, BRCA-deficiency only accounts for a small fraction of cancers. We are interesting in applying synthetic lethal approach to target all cancers regardless BRCA statute. As single strand break (SSB) is the start point of the synthetic lethal, we hypothesized the targeted induction of persistent SSB at tumor unique sequences (cancer somatic mutation sequences) with assistance of synthetic lethality would specifically kill cancer cells. To test this principle we have constructed a six-zinc finger/mutant uracil glycosylase fusion protein (zinc finger glycosylase, ZFG). Upon binding to a specific 18-bp sequence by ZFG six-zinc binding domain, the mutated uracil glycosylase will remove a cytosine residue leaving an apyrimidinic site, which is subsequently convert to SSB by AP-endonuclease cleavage. The SSB lesion is capable of being repaired, however, upon repair, the zinc finger binding site is restored and the site-specific ZFG will again initiate a lesion leading to a persistent SSB. We have transfected ZFGs into BRCA2-deficient human breast cancer MCF7 and lung cancer A549 cells, the cells were then treated with PARP inhibitors. We observed increased killing of the ZFG-transfected cells compare to mock-transfected controls. Since BRCA2 deficiency causes homologous recombination (HR) repair defect, we next sought to determine if inhibitors of HR is a suitable substitute for loss of BRCA2. We are testing this concept by transfection of ZFG to BRCA2-proficient MCF7 cells with the treatment of combination of PARP and HR inhibitors, to determine whether 1. Combination of PARP and HR inhibitors treatments can achieve synthetic lethality; 2. ZFG constructs can enhance synthetic lethality. We conclude ZFG coupled with synthetic lethality is a promising direction towards the development of cancer specifically treatment. Citation Format: Hua Fung, Stanton L. Gerson, Carlos F. Barbas. An artificial zinc finger glycosylase causes site-directed DNA damages and specifically kills the targeted cancer cells via synthetic lethality. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3332. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-3332

From single-strand breaks to double-strand breaks during S-phase: a new mode of action of theEscherichia coli Cytolethal Distending Toxin

The Cytolethal Distending Toxin (CDT) is a genotoxin produced by several pathogenic bacteria. It is generally admitted that CDT induces double-strand breaks (DSB) and cell cycle arrest in G2/M-phase, in an ATM-dependent manner. Most of these results were obtained at high dose (over 1 μg ml(-1) ) of CDT and late after treatment (8-24 h). We provide here evidence that the Escherichia coli CDT (EcCDT) - at low dose (50 pg ml(-1) or LD50) and early after treatment (3-6 h) - progressively induces DNA DSB, mostly in S-phase. DSB formation is related to the single-strand breaks induction by CDT, converted into DSB during the S-phase. We also show that homologous recombination is mobilized to these S-phase-associated DSB. This model unveils a new mechanism for CDT genotoxicity that may play a role in cells partly deficient in homologous recombination.

DNA damage response by single-strand breaks in terminally differentiated muscle cells and the control of muscle integrity

DNA single-strand breaks (SSB) formation coordinates the myogenic program, and defects in SSB repair in post-mitotic cells have been associated with human diseases. However, the DNA damage response by SSB in terminally differentiated cells has not been explored yet. Here we show that mouse post-mitotic muscle cells accumulate SSB after alkylation damage, but they are extraordinarily resistant to the killing effects of a variety of SSB-inducers. We demonstrate that, upon SSB induction, phosphorylation of H2AX occurs in myotubes and is largely ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM)-dependent. However, the DNA damage signaling cascade downstream of ATM is defective as shown by lack of p53 increase and phosphorylation at serine 18 (human serine 15). The stabilization of p53 by nutlin-3 was ineffective in activating the cell death pathway, indicating that the resistance to SSB inducers is due to defective p53 downstream signaling. The induction of specific types of damage is required to activate the cell death program in myotubes. Besides the topoisomerase inhibitor doxorubicin known for its cardiotoxicity, we show that the mitochondria-specific inhibitor menadione is able to activate p53 and to kill effectively myotubes. Cell killing is p53-dependent as demonstrated by full protection of myotubes lacking p53, but there is a restriction of p53-activated genes. This new information may have important therapeutic implications in the prevention of muscle cell toxicity.

Influence of organic ions on DNA damage induced by 1 eV to 60 keV electrons.

We report the results of a study on the influence of organic salts on the induction of single strand breaks (SSBs) and double strand breaks (DSBs) in DNA by electrons of 1 eV to 60 keV. Plasmid DNA films are prepared with two different concentrations of organic salts, by varying the amount of the TE buffer (Tris-HCl and EDTA) in the films with ratio of 1:1 and 6:1 Tris ions to DNA nucleotide. The films are bombarded with electrons of 1, 10, 100, and 60 000 eV under vacuum. The damage to the 3197 base-pair plasmid is analyzed ex vacuo by agarose gel electrophoresis. The highest yields are reached at 100 eV and the lowest ones at 60 keV. The ratios of SSB to DSB are surprisingly low at 10 eV (∼4.3) at both salt concentrations, and comparable to the ratios measured with 100 eV electrons. At all characteristic electron energies, the yields of SSB and DSB are found to be higher for the DNA having the lowest salt concentration. However, the organic salts are more efficient at protecting DNA against the damage induced by 1 and 10 eV electrons. DNA damage and protection by organic ions are discussed in terms of mechanisms operative at each electron energy. It is suggested that these ions create additional electric fields within the groove of DNA, which modify the resonance parameter of 1 and 10 eV electrons, namely, by reducing the electron capture cross-section of basic DNA units and the lifetime of corresponding transient anions. An interstrand electron transfer mechanism is proposed to explain the low ratios for the yields of SSB to those of DSB produced by 10 eV electrons.

Sulforaphane induces DNA single strand breaks in cultured human cells

Sulforaphane (SFR), an isothiocyanate from cruciferous vegetables, possesses growth-inhibiting and apoptosis-inducing activities in cancer cell lines. Recently, SFR has been shown to promote the mitochondrial formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in human cancer cell lines. The present study was undertaken to see whether SFR-derived ROS might cause DNA damage in cultured human cells, namely T limphoblastoid Jurkat and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). 1–3 h treatments with 10–30 μM SFR elicited intracellular ROS formation (as assayed with dihydrorhodamine, DHR, oxidation) as well as DNA breakage (as assessed with fast halo assay, FHA). These effects lacked cell-type specificity, since could be observed in both Jurkat and HUVEC. Differential-pH FHA analysis of damaged DNA showed that SFR causes frank DNA single strand breaks (SSBs); no DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) were found within the considered treatment times (up to 3 h). SFR-derived ROS were formed at the mitochondrial respiratory chain (MRC) level: indeed rotenone or myxothiazol (MRC Complex I and III inhibitors, respectively) abrogated ROS formation. Furthermore ROS were not formed in Jurkat cells pharmacologically depleted of respiring mitochondria (MRC−/Jurkat). Formation of ROS was causally linked to the induction of SSBs: indeed all the experimental conditions capable of preventing ROS formation also prevented the damage of nuclear DNA from SFR-intoxicated cells. As to the toxicological relevance of SSBs, we found that their prevention slightly but significantly attenuated SFR cytotoxicity, suggesting that high-dose SFR toxicity is the result of a complex series of events among which GSH depletion seems to play a pivotal role. In conclusion, the present study identifies a novel mechanism contributing to SFR toxicity which – since DNA damage is a prominent mechanism underlying the cytotoxic activity of established antineoplastic agents – might help to exploit the therapeutic value of SFR in anticancer drug protocols.

Abstract 5379: Mechanism of fludarabine and oxaliplatin combined activity depends on the activity of XPF endonuclease

Abstract We set out to determine the mechanism by which fludarabine and oxaliplatin exert more than additive cell killing in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). We postulate that enhanced activity of oxaliplatin and fludarabine combination is based on termination by fludarabine of DNA re-synthesis associated with nucleotide excision repair (NER) following removal of oxaliplatin adducts. The blocked repair would result in single-strand and double-strand DNA breaks which would activate cell DNA damage signaling and apoptosis. More than additive apoptotic killing was observed in 49% (±22) of CLL cells after exposure to oxaliplatin and fludarabine in vitro, although single agents showed minimal increase in cell death (3% ±9 for oxaliplatin, 13% ±14 for fludarabine), as demonstrated by Annexin V and PI staining at 24 hr (expected vs. observed p=0.0003; n=10). Oxaliplatin induced a 2-fold increase in DNA synthesis in CLL cells, which was inhibited by fludarabine, as determined by thymidine incorporation (n=5). Knockdown of XPF, the NER 5′ endonuclease, in CLL patient samples (n=3) eliminated oxaliplatin induced DNA synthesis (3-fold increase in thymidine incorporation with scramble siRNA compared to 1.4-fold increase with XPF siRNA). Wild type CHO (AA8) cells showed more than additive killing after combination treatment similar to the observation with CLL patient samples (predicted survival 50%; observed 21%). In contrast, only additive killing was observed in CHO cells lacking XPF (UV41) with equitoxic doses of oxaliplatin and fludarabine (predicted survival 56%; observed 54%) suggesting that XPF function is essential for the cooperative interaction of the combination. Alkaline assays demonstrated that inhibition of repair by fludarabine was accompanied by DNA strand break formation within 12 hr (n=4) in CLL patients samples. The increase in Olive tail moment ranged from 2- to 5-fold, confirming induction of single-strand breaks. The double-strand break repair proteins ATM, SMC1, H2AX and DNA-PKcs were phosphorylated as early as 2 hr post-treatment with the combination and persisted up to 24 hr (3-fold, 24-fold, 10-fold and 10-fold increase, respectively; n=4). This response suggests that DNA damage generated by fludarabine and oxaliplatin exposure was processed to double-strand DNA breaks in CLL cells. Our work provides evidence that the combination of oxaliplatin and fludarabine results in the formation of toxic DNA damage and that their combined activity depends on a functional NER pathway. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5379.

Plasmid DNA damage by heavy ions at spread-out Bragg peak energies

Interaction of ionizing radiation with plasmid DNA can lead to formation of single strand breaks, double strand breaks and clustered lesions. We have investigated the response of the synthetic plasmid pBR322 in aqueous solution upon irradiation with 12C ions under spread-out Bragg peak conditions (densely ionizing) and with 137Cs γ-photons (sparsely ionizing) as a function of dose. To evaluate the relevance of indirect effects, i.e. influences of diffusion limited radical induced DNA damage triggered by water radiolysis, the experiments were performed at various concentrations of the radical scavenger mannitol. Agarose gel electrophoresis was employed to quantify the DNA damage. At low scavenger concentration for a given dose DNA damage is higher for γ-photons than for 12C. For the latter, the microscopic dose distribution is inhomogeneous, with very high dose deposited along the few tracks through the solution. This is in agreement with the concept that scavengers efficiently reduce damage for γ-photons, implying that the underlying damage mechanism is single strand break induction by OH radicals. For 12C induced damage, the fraction of SSB and DSB that is unaffected by radical scavengers and thus due to direct effect is quantified.

A Ubiquitin-Proteasome Pathway for the Repair of Topoisomerase I-DNA Covalent Complexes

Reversible topoisomerase I (Top1)-DNA cleavage complexes are the key DNA lesion induced by anticancer camptothecins (e.g. topotecan and irinotecan) as well as structurally perturbed DNAs (e.g. oxidatively damaged DNA, UV-irradiated DNA, alkylated DNA, uracil-substituted DNA, mismatched DNA, gapped and nicked DNA, and DNA with abasic sites). Top1 cleavage complexes arrest transcription and trigger transcription-dependent degradation of Top1, a phenomenon termed Top1 down-regulation. In the current study, we have investigated the role of Top1 down-regulation in the repair of Top1 cleavage complexes. Using quiescent (serum-starved) human WI-38 cells, camptothecin (CPT) was shown to induce Top1 down-regulation, which paralleled the induction of DNA single-strand breaks (SSBs) (assayed by comet assays) and ATM autophosphorylation (at Ser-1981). Interestingly, Top1 down-regulation, induction of DNA SSBs and ATM autophosphorylation were all abolished by the proteasome inhibitor MG132. Furthermore, studies using immunoprecipitation and dominant-negative ubiquitin mutants have suggested a specific requirement for the assembly of Lys-48-linked polyubiquitin chains for CPT-induced Top1 down-regulation. In contrast to the effect of proteasome inhibition, inactivation of PARP1 was shown to increase the amount of CPT-induced SSBs and the level of ATM autophosphorylation. Together, these results support a model in which Top1 cleavage complexes arrest transcription and activate a ubiquitin-proteasome pathway leading to the degradation of Top1 cleavage complexes. Degradation of Top1 cleavage complexes results in the exposure of Top1-concealed SSBs for repair through a PARP1-dependent process.