Tryptophan Pyrolysis Research Articles

Inhibition of DNA repair glycosylases by base analogs and tryptophan pyrolysate, Trp-P-1.

DNA base analogs, 2,4,5,6-substituted pyrimidines and 2,6-substituted purines were tested as potential inhibitors of E. coli Fpg protein (formamidopyrimidine -DNA glycosylase). Three of the seventeen compounds tested revealed inhibitory properties. 2-Thioxanthine was the most efficient, inhibiting 50% of 2,6-diamino-4-hydroxy-5N-methyl-formamidopyrimidine (Fapy-7MeG) excision activity at 17.1 microM concentration. The measured K(i) was 4.44 +/- 0.15 microM. Inhibition was observed only when the Fpg protein was first challenged to its substrate followed by the addition of the base analog, suggesting uncompetitive (catalytic) inhibition. For two other compounds, 2-thio- or 2-oxo-4,5,6-substituted pyrimidines, IC(50) was only 343.3 +/- 58.6 and 350 +/- 24.4 microM, respectively. No change of the Fpg glycosylase activity was detected in the presence of Fapy-7MeG, up to 5 microM. We also investigated the effect of DNA structure modified by tryptophan pyrolysate (Trp-P-1) on the activity of base excision repair enzymes: Escherichia coli and human DNA glycosylases of oxidized (Fpg, Nth) and alkylated bases (TagA, AlkA, and ANPG), and for bacterial AP endonuclease (Xth protein). Trp-P-1, which changes the secondary DNA structure into non-B, non-Z most efficiently inhibited excision of alkylated bases by the AlkA glycosylase (IC(50) = 1 microM). The ANPG, TagA, and Fpg proteins were also inhibited although to a lesser extent (IC(50) = 76.5 microM, 96 microM, and 187.5 microM, respectively). Trp-P-1 also inhibited incision of DNA at abasic sites by the beta-lyase activity of the Fpg and Nth proteins, and to a lesser extent by the Xth AP endonuclease. Thus, DNA conformation is critical for excision of damaged bases and incision of abasic sites by DNA repair enzymes.

Inhibition of DNA repair glycosylases by base analogs and tryptophan pyrolysate, Trp-P-1.

DNA base analogs, 2,4,5,6-substituted pyrimidines and 2,6-substituted purines were tested as potential inhibitors of E. coli Fpg protein (formamidopyrimidine -DNA glycosylase). Three of the seventeen compounds tested revealed inhibitory properties. 2-Thioxanthine was the most efficient, inhibiting 50% of 2,6-diamino-4-hydroxy-5N-methyl-formamidopyrimidine (Fapy-7MeG) excision activity at 17.1 microM concentration. The measured K(i) was 4.44 +/- 0.15 microM. Inhibition was observed only when the Fpg protein was first challenged to its substrate followed by the addition of the base analog, suggesting uncompetitive (catalytic) inhibition. For two other compounds, 2-thio- or 2-oxo-4,5,6-substituted pyrimidines, IC(50) was only 343.3 +/- 58.6 and 350 +/- 24.4 microM, respectively. No change of the Fpg glycosylase activity was detected in the presence of Fapy-7MeG, up to 5 microM. We also investigated the effect of DNA structure modified by tryptophan pyrolysate (Trp-P-1) on the activity of base excision repair enzymes: Escherichia coli and human DNA glycosylases of oxidized (Fpg, Nth) and alkylated bases (TagA, AlkA, and ANPG), and for bacterial AP endonuclease (Xth protein). Trp-P-1, which changes the secondary DNA structure into non-B, non-Z most efficiently inhibited excision of alkylated bases by the AlkA glycosylase (IC(50) = 1 microM). The ANPG, TagA, and Fpg proteins were also inhibited although to a lesser extent (IC(50) = 76.5 microM, 96 microM, and 187.5 microM, respectively). Trp-P-1 also inhibited incision of DNA at abasic sites by the beta-lyase activity of the Fpg and Nth proteins, and to a lesser extent by the Xth AP endonuclease. Thus, DNA conformation is critical for excision of damaged bases and incision of abasic sites by DNA repair enzymes.

3-amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (trp-P-1) is incorporated into rat splenocytes, thymocytes, and hepatocytes through monoamine transporters and induces apoptosis.

3-Amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-1), which is a tryptophan pyrolysate formed during cooking, induces apoptosis in rat splenocytes, thymocytes, and hepatocytes. In this study, we investigated whether Trp-P-1 is transported into these cells and causes apoptosis. Trp-P-1 was immediately incorporated into rat splenocytes, thymocytes, and hepatocytes in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Dopamine and serotonin significantly competed with the uptake of Trp-P-1 into these cells, and nomifensine and indatraline, which are inhibitors of dopamine- and serotonin-transporters, respectively, markedly suppressed the uptake of Trp-P-1. On the other hand, amino acids including tryptophan did not compete with Trp-P-1. Inhibition of monoamine transporters using nomifensine and indatraline partially suppressed Trp-P-1-induced cell death in these cells. In hepatocytes, the inhibition of transporters prevented Trp-P-1-induced morphological changes and activation of caspase-3. These results demonstrated that Trp-P-1 is incorporated into the cells through monoamine transporters and induces apoptosis.

3-Amino-1,4-dimethyl-5 H-pyrido[4,3- b]indole (Trp-P-1) induces caspase-dependent apoptosis in mononuclear cells

3-Amino-1,4-dimethyl-5 H-pyrido[4,3- b]indole (Trp-P-1), one of the tryptophan pyrolysates, is a dietary carcinogen and is formed in cooked meat and fish in our daily diet. Trp-P-1 will affect the cells in the blood circulation system before it causes carcinogenicity in target organs such as the liver. In this study, the cytotoxicity of Trp-P-1 was investigated in mononuclear cells (MNCs) from blood. Trp-P-1 (10–15 μM) decreased cell viability and induced apoptosis characterized both by morphological changes and by DNA fragmentation 4 h after treatment. DNA fragmentation was also observed following treatment at 1 nM after 24 h in culture. This result suggested that apoptosis would occur in the body following unexpected intake of foods containing Trp-P-1. To determine the mechanism of apoptosis, we investigated the activation of the caspase cascade in MNCs. Trp-P-1 (10–15 μM) activated the caspase cascade, i.e. the activity of caspase-3, -6, -7, -8 and -9 increased dose-dependently using peptide substrates, the active forms of caspase-3, -8 and -9 were detected by immunoblotting, and cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and protein kinase C-δ as the intracellular substrates for caspases was observed. A peptide inhibitor of caspase-8 completely suppressed activation of all other caspases, while an inhibitor of caspase-9 did not. These results indicated that caspase-8 may act as an apical caspase in the Trp-P-1-activated cascade.

Interaction of Mutagenic Tryptophan Pyrolysate with d(CGATCG)2: Intercalation Model Based on NMR Experiments

The solution structure of the complex of 3-amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-1), a potent mutacarcinogen isolated from tryptophan pyrolysate, with the hexamer duplex d(CGATCG)2, was analysed by1H-NMR spectroscopy and molecular dynamic calculation. Trp-P-1 was intercalated between the CpG base pairings in a suitable manner to form the guanosine-Trp-P-1 adduct which corresponds to the major reactant of Trp-P-1 with DNA.

Electrochemical Determination for Enzymatic Production of Ultimate Carcinogen from Tryptophan Pyrolysate by Rat Hepatic Microsomes

This study established a rapid and sensitive method of determining the level of the ultimate carcinogen from 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-prido[4,3- b]indole (Trp-P-2) produced by rat hepatic microsomes. An electrochemical detector (ECD) used with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) gave a linear calibration curve for synthetic N-hydroxy-Trp-P-2 (the ultimate carcinogenic form) at concentrations ranging between 0.3 and 340 pmol. The enzymic production of N-hydroxy-Trp-P-2 from Trp-P-2 was also determined by the ECD with HPLC. Hepatic microsomes (0.2 mg as protein) from rats treated with methylcholanthrene (MC) and phenobarbital (PB) were incubated with Trp-P-2 for 5 min. The mixture was centrifuged with acetonitrile and the supernatant was then analyzed using HPLC. The ECD determined the level of N-hydroxy-Trp-P-2 to levels nearing 1 pmol, and the preparation before submission to the HPLC took such a short time (5 min) that N-hydroxy-Tr-P-2 did not have sufficient time to decompose. Then, the microsomal N-hydroxylation activity on Trp-P-2 was compared with five different sources of microsomes. The microsomes from rats treated with MC plus PB, MC, PB, or polychlorinated biphenyl showed an activity level (mol/min/mol P450 enzymes) of 2.41 ± 0.19, 1.92 ± 0.21, 0.048 ± 0.017, and 1.79 ± 0.15, respectively, and those from untreated rats showed no activity. This method was useful for evaluating the N-hydroxylation activity of P450 enzymes.

Binding specificity of mutagenic tryptophan pyrolysates for DNA conformation: spectroscopic and viscometric studies.

The compounds, 3-amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-1) and 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2), are major potent mutacarcinogens isolated from tryptophan pyrolysate. In order to investigate their interaction with DNA and effects on DNA conformation, studies involving circular dichroism, fluorescence and absorption spectroscopy and viscometric titration were performed. The results show that (a) Trp-P-1 and Trp-P-2 are potent intercalators of DNA with nearly the same specificity for the A-T and G-C (alternative purine-pyrimidine) base sequences, (b) the interaction of Trp-P-1 with the B-form of DNA is biphasic so that stiffening of the B-DNA conformation occurs over the range r ([Trp-P-1]/[DNA]) = 0-2.5, followed by transformation of B to the non-B conformation at r > 2.5, (c) the transformation to the non-B structure is not observed for Trp-P-2, although stiffening of the B-DNA conformation similarly occurs, and (d) both Trp-P-1 and Trp-P-2 promote unwinding of the salt-induced Z-DNA to give the B-form. These data indicate that the noncovalent interaction of Trp-P with DNA is mainly dependent on the B-form conformation.

Slippage--misalignment: to what extent does it contribute to mammalian cell mutagenesis?

Mutations in mammalian genomes are the result of several mutagenic processes that are intrinsic to cell metabolism. Analysis of the mutation spectrum of a chromosomal gene is a valuable tool for assessing the contribution of these mechanisms to mutagenesis in the cell. We have studied the specificity of mutations induced by various mutagens in a cDNA hprt gene integrated in a chromosome of a mouse cell line. To understand the mechanisms underlying mammalian cell mutagenesis, we compiled a list of more than 250 sequenced hprt mutations that arose spontaneously or were induced by mutagens, and compared it with the published mutation data. There are at least two distinct processes of mutagenesis in eukaryotic cells: one is mispairing, while another is errors in translesion synthesis. The alkylating agent methylnitrosourea causes G:T mispairing; consequently, most mutations it induces are G to A transitions. The second process can occur spontaneously or be caused by exposure to X-rays, Trp-P2, a tryptophan pyrolysate, or acetylaminofluorene. A variety of premutagenic lesions are produced in DNA by these mutagens, but spectra of the mutations resemble each other, especially in the high frequency of deletions at the sites of short direct repeats. The slippage--misalignment mechanism accounted well for the greater part of the observed deletions. A similar spectrum of mutations was observed in the tumor suppressor gene APC from colorectal tumors; about 40% are deletions at the sites of short repeats. These findings led us to propose that slippage--misalignment is an ubiquitous mechanism of mutagenesis and is responsible for a significant proportion of spontaneous mutations in mammalian cells.

Evaluation and Application of a Bioluminescent Bacterial Genotoxicity Test

The Mutatox test (commercial name for the bioluminescent bacterial genotoxicity test) has been shown to be a good alternative to the Ames test. The test uses dark mutants of luminous bacteria (Vibrio fischeri) and determines the ability of various genotoxic agents to restore the luminescence by inducing mutation. It provides a rapid screening test which can be used to assay the genotoxicity of large numbers of pure and complex compounds. The test is completed in 1 day, and by serially diluting the compound, dose response data plus toxicity data can be generated for a number of samples simultaneously. For the direct assay (without exogenous metabolic activation), the positive controls selected were 3,6-diaminoacridine (proflavine) and N-methyl-N-nitro-nitrosoguanidine. For the S-9 assay, which incorporated the microsome fraction (S-9) from rat liver as an exogenous metabolic activation system, the positive controls selected were aflatoxin B1 and benzo(a)pyrene. This study also indicated that methyl-imidazo-quinoline and tryptophan pyrolysates were genotoxic in the presence of S-9 activation, aflatoxin B1 epoxide and fumonisin B1 showed direct genotoxic activity, and aflatoxin B2 and ochratoxin A were not genotoxic.

Interaction of mutagenic tryptophan pyrolysate with DNA: CD spectral study on the binding specificity

The interactions of DNA duplexes with 3-amino 1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole(Trp-P-1), a potent mutacarcinogen isolated from tryptophan pyrolysate, have been studied using CD spectroscopy. The results are that (a) the spectral change of B-form DNA caused by the interaction with Trp-P-1 is biphasic, i.e. the enlargement of CD bands characteristic to the B-DNA conformation in the range of r ([Trp-P-1]/[DNA]) = 0–2.5, followed by the rapid transition to the non-B conformation at r > 2.5; (b) this transition degree of B to non-B conformation of DNA is not necessarily dependent on the G-C content; and (c) the salt-induced Z-DNA is transformed to B-DNA (0 < r < 0.1) and then to non-B-DNA (r > 5), depending on the concentration of Trp-P-1 added. These data indicate that the non-covalent interaction of Trp-P-1 with DNA is mainly dependent on the B-DNA conformation.

Studies on antimutagenic effect of milk cultured with lactic acid bacteria on the Trp-P2-induced mutagenicity to TA98 strain of Salmonella typhimurium.

The inhibitory effects of cultured milk using 76 strains of lactic acid bacteria isolated from milk products were investigated on the mutagenicity of 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P2), a tryptophan pyrolysate for Salmonella typhimurium TA98. Each cultured milk sample displayed its characteristic antimutagenic effect against the mutagenicity of Trp-P2. The milk cultured with Lactobacillus acidophilus LA106 (LA2) showed the highest inhibition of 82.1% among the strains used. Milk samples cultured with Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis, Lll103 (10-3) and Lll102 (KM) also exhibited higher inhibition percentages.

Effects of harmane on growth andin vivometabolism of aflatoxin B1in male and female rats

The role of harmane, a beta-carboline formed during pyrolysis of tryptophan, on the metabolism of AFB1, growth and some parameters of the nutritional status was investigated in the rat. Male and female Wistar rats were fed a semi-synthetic diet containing AFB1 (2 ppm), harmane (250 ppm) or both compounds, for 33 days after weaning. Qualitative and quantitative differences in the urinary and faecal excretion of parental compound and metabolites were assessed by HPLC analysis. Harmane did not modify appreciably the growth and the other nutritional parameters studied. Similar excretion patterns of AFB1 metabolites were observed in males and females. Harmane caused a limited increase in the excretion of AFM1 in faeces but not in urine, without altering the growth process in rats of either sex.

Enzyme immunoassay for (3-amino-1-methyl-5 H-pyrido[4,3- b]indole), a tryptophan pyrolysate

For evaluation of the cancer risk by the tryptophan pyrolysates a sensitive enzyme immunoassay for 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2), a mutagenic and carcinogenic substance, found in foods and biological fluids has been developed. The doseresponse curve obtained was suitable for the determination of Trp-P-2 in the range of 20–800 pg. The immunoassay system was characterized to be satisfactorily specific as judged by crossreactivity to γ-carboline derivatives and their precursors, and comparison of immunoreactive Trp-P-2 levels in the basic and neutral fraction derived from pyrolyzed amino acids and related compounds.

An efficient and convenient method for the purification of mutagenic heterocyclic amines in heated meat products.

A simple and efficient method for the purification of mutagenic heterocyclic amines from heated meat products has been developed. In only two steps, namely extraction of raw material on Kieselgur followed by medium pressure liquid chromatography on Sephasorb HP, very clean fractions with high recovery rates of mutagenic compounds were obtained, thus allowing isolation and quantitation by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV detection. The method was validated on both food grade and bacterial beef extracts as well as fried beef. In 1-5 g samples of beef extracts, levels up to 70 p.p.b. (ng/g) of 2-amino-3-methyl-imidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ), 8-90 p.p.b. of 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx) and up to 8 p.p.b. of 2-amino-3,4,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (4,8-DiMeIQx) were determined. In fried beef, 1 p.p.b. of 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) and 1 p.p.b. of MeIQx were measured. The quantitative results of beef samples were in agreement with results from determinations using immunoaffinity chromatography/HPLC or liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. MeIQx could be quantified in fried beef down to 1 ng/g of fresh beef material. According to assays performed with reference standards of tryptophan and glutamic acid pyrolysis products, the method could also be extended to quantitate other heterocyclic amines.

P-509 - Effects of tryptophan pyrolysates, Trp-p-1 and Trp-p-2, on cultured rat embryos

P-509 - Effects of tryptophan pyrolysates, Trp-p-1 and Trp-p-2, on cultured rat embryos

Present and future of carcinogenic tryptophan pyrolysis products in the environment

Food has been considered an important factor for the genesis of cancer in man, as important as cigarette smoking. Diet influences the incidence of human cancer in many ways, directly and indirectly. Various kinds of carcinogens such as polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, N-nitro compounds and mycotoxins have been reported to be present in various foods. During the last decade, a new series of heterocyclic amines has been isolated as potent mutagens and later shown to be potent carcinogens in animals. Among them, carcinogenic tryptophan pyrolysates have been investigated from various points of view and useful pieces of information about them have been collected. Now, it is a matter of urgency to evaluate the effects of these carcinogens on humans. From this aspect, this review describes the information about carcinogenic tryptophan pyrolysates which has been collected and also future problems, especially those the hygienist will have to solve.

Exposure level monitor of 3-amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole, a dietary carcinogen, in rabbits.

The present investigation describes a method for the detection of minute amounts of 3-amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-1), a carcinogenic tryptophan pyrolysate, bound to the hemoglobin of erythrocytes and plasma from rabbits dosed orally with the dietary carcinogen. The method consists of the acid-induced release of the dietary carcinogen adducts as the free carcinogen and their extraction with methylene chloride and subsequent quantitation by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). With this method, Trp-P-1 levels in plasma, platelets, and red blood cells were monitored for 12 weeks to determine a suitable indicator for estimating the exposure levels of the dietary carcinogen. The results suggest that Trp-P-1 in red blood cells that bound covalently to the hemoglobin is the most suitable for monitoring the long-term exposure levels.

Reduction of enzyme activity of tyrosine hydroxylase and aromatic L-aminoacid decarboxylase in clonal pheochromocytoma PC12h cells by carcinogenic heterocyclic amines

Out of carcinogenic heterocyclic amines, which are produced by pyrolysis of tryptophan in food, 3-amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-1) and 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2) were found to reduce the activity of enzymes related to catecholamine metabolism in clonal rat pheochromocytoma PC12h cells. By 6 days' culture in the presence of 10 nM to 10 microM Typ-P-1 and -2, these heterocyclic amines were accumulated in the cells, and activity of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and aromatic L-aminoacid decarboxylase (AADC) were reduced markedly. Reduction of these enzyme activity was observed with Trp-P-1 and -2 at the concentrations lower than 1 microM, while cell protein and enzyme activity of a non-specific enzyme, beta-galactosidase were reduced only with 10 microM Trp-P-1. These results show that these heterocyclic amines are neurotoxins specific for dopaminergic neurons.

Thermospray liquid chromatographic—mass spectrometric analysis of mutagenic substances present in tryptophan pyrolysates

During protein pyrolysis, as can occur when broiling meat or fish, mutagenic substances are formed, as shown by in vitro mutagenicity assays. Some of the most active compounds have been shown to originate from tryptophan (Trp). Hundreds of grams of Trp had to be used previously to study the formation of these compounds by classical separation and detection methods. Studies have been made of the formation of two active heterocyclic amines, 3-amino-1, 4-dimethyl-5 H-pyrido[4,3- b]indole (Trp-P-1) and 3-amino-1-methyl-5 H-pyrido[4,3- b]indole (Trp-P-2), by heating Trp at different temperatures and for different periods at time. Advantage was taken of the high selectivity and sensitivity of thermospray liquid chromatography—mass spectrometry coupling, which permitted the use of much smaller amounts (10 g) of starting material. These conditions permit a more accurate control of the pyrolysis temperature and the method of extraction can be shortened and simplified. The results show that Trp-P-1 and Trp-P-2 were already formed at 250°C. These substances were detectable in the low ppb range, i.e., less than the threshold levels necessary to elicit a positive response in the Ames test under standard conditions.

Species, sex and organ differences in induction of a cytochrome P-450 isozyme responsible for carcinogen activation: effects of dietary hepatocarcinogenic tryptophan pyrolysate components in mice and rats.

Both sexes of BALB/c X DBA/2 F1 mice and F344 rats were treated for 1 week with a diet containing 0.02% of hepatocarcinogenic tryptophan pyrolysate component (Trp P-1 or Trp P-2), and changes in the carcinogen activation enzyme activity in various organs were examined comparatively using a mutation test with Salmonella typhimurium TA98 as a tester bacterium. Hepatic enzymes from untreated mice and rats showed a definite catalytic activity for mutagenic activations of Trp P-1 and Trp P-2, whereas the activities of other organs--such as lung, kidney, small intestine and colon--were undetectable or very low. In both mice and rats either the Trp P-1 or Trp P-2 feeding resulted in induction of cytochrome P-450 isozyme(s), which could mediate in the liver but not in other organs the mutagenic activation of the carcinogen itself. As to the sex difference, the induction of the activation enzyme(s) was greater in the female animals than in the males. Species difference in the activity of hepatic enzymes catalyzing the Trp P-1 and Trp P-2 mutageneses was also observed in animals treated with the basal diet; the activity was higher in mice than in the sex-matched rats (Trp P-1, approximately 1.5-fold; Trp P-2, approximately 7-fold). When diet containing Trp P-1 or Trp P-2 was fed for 1 week, the activity of the rat liver for Trp P-1 mutagenesis was of a level similar to that of the sex-matched mice, but for Trp P-2 mutagenesis it was less than half that in the mice. The induced hepatic enzymes in mice and rats were suggested to be 3-methylcholanthrene-inducible cytochrome P-448 isozymes as determined by mutation tests with Trp P-1, Trp P-2 and two other substrates and by immunochemical analyses of rat hepatic cytochrome P-450 using monoclonal antibodies against rat cytochrome P-448 isozymes. These results indicate that a form of cytochrome P-450 responsible for activation of Trp P-1 and Trp P-2 is inducible by dietary treatment of mice or rats with these carcinogens and that the amount of the cytochrome P-450, including resident and induced forms, is related to the species, sex and organ differences in their carcinogenic susceptibility to these chemicals.