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Dear Editor: Your articles in the February 24 issue of LAN Times on High Speed Networks (page 55) were excellent. It is for this kind of information that I read […]

A method, using HPLC combined with electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (ES-MS/MS), was developed and validated to detect and quantify the major DNA adduct resulting from exposure to the ultimate tumorigenic benzo[a]pyrene (BP) metabolite, trans-7,8-dihydroxy-anti-9,10-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene (BPDE). Calf thymus DNA was reacted with BPDE, digested enzymatically to nucleosides, and the major DNA adduct, 10-(deoxyguanosin-N²-yl)-7,8,9-trihydroxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene (dG-BPDE), was purified by HPLC. Similar procedures were applied to prepare dG-BPDE-d8 from [1,2,3,4,5,6,11,12-²H8]BPDE for use as an internal standard. The HPLC-ES-MS/MS method was validated using a mixture of hydrolyzed salmon testis DNA (82 μg) and 10 pg dG-BPDE (analogous to 6.9 adducts/10⁸ nucleotides). The results indicated an inter- and intraday accuracy of 99−100% and precision of 1.6−1.7% (relative standard deviation). When applied to a calf thymus DNA sample modified in vitro with [1,3-³H]BPDE, the method gave a value very similar to those obtained by radiolabeling, ³²P-postlabeling, and immunoassay. HPLC-ES-MS/MS analysis of hepatic DNA from mice treated intraperitoneally with 0.5 and 1.0 mg of [7,8-³H]BP gave values comparable to those determined by ³²P-postlabeling and immunoassay. Lung DNA from mice fed a 0.3% coal tar diet (containing approximately 2 mg BP/g coal tar) for one month had 0.6 ± 0.04 dG-BPDE adducts/10⁸ nucleotides. This value is much lower than the 102 ± 14 total DNA adducts/10⁸ nucleotides determined by ³²P-postlabeling, which suggests that dG-BPDE makes only a minor contribution to the DNA adducts formed in lung tissue of mice administered coal tar. The HPLC-ES-MS/MS method was used to assess human lung DNA samples for the presence of dG-BPDE. Based upon a limit of detection of 0.3 dG-BPDE adducts/10⁸ nucleotides, when using 100 μg of DNA, dG-BPDE was detected in only 1 out of 26 samples. These observations indicate that HPLC-ES-MS/MS is suitable to assess the contribution of BP to DNA damage caused by exposures to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) mixtures. The results further suggest that dG-BPDE may contribute only a small fraction of the total DNA adducts detected by other DNA adduct methodologies in individuals exposed to PAHs.

Malachite green (MG), a triphenylmethane dye used to treat fungal and protozoan infections in fish, undergoes sequential oxidation to produce various N-demethylated derivatives (monodes-, dides(sym)-, dides(unsym)-, trides-, and tetrades-) both before and after reduction to leucomalachite green (LMG). The close structure resemblance of the metabolites with aromatic amine carcinogens implicates a potential genotoxicity from exposure to MG. The availability of the synthetic standards is important for metabolic and DNA adduct studies of MG. This paper describes a simple and versatile method for the synthesis of MG, LMG, and their N-demethylated metabolites. The synthesis involves a coupling of 4-(dimethylamino)benzophenone or 4-nitrobenzophenone with the aryllithium reagents derived from appropriately substituted 4-bromoaniline derivatives, followed by treatment with HCl in methanol. The resulting cationic MG and their leuco analogues showed systematic UV/vis spectral and tandem mass fragmentation patterns consistent with sequential N-demethylation. The extensive ¹H and ¹³C spectral assignments of the metabolites were aided by the availability of ¹³C7-labeled MG and LMG. The results indicate the existence of a resonance structure with the cationic charge located in the central methane carbon (C7). The synthetic procedure is general in scope so that it can be extended to the preparation of N-demethylated metabolites of other structurally related N-methylated triphenylmethane dyes.

Nitrofluorenes are mutagenic and carcinogenic environmental pollutants arising chiefly from combustion of fossil fuels. Nitro aromatic compounds undergo nitroreduction to N-hydroxy arylamines that bind to DNA directly or after O-esterification. This study analyzes the DNA binding and adducts from the in vitro nitroreduction of 2,7-dinitrofluorene (2,7-diNF), a potent mammary carcinogen in the rat. Potential adduct(s) of 2,7-diNF was (were) generated by reduction of 2-nitroso-7-NF with ascorbate/H⁺ in the presence of calf thymus DNA. The major adduct was characterized by HPLC/ESI/MS and ¹H NMR spectrometry as N-(deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-2-amino-7-NF, and a minor one was determined by HPLC/ESI/MS to be a deoxyadenosine adduct of 2-amino-7-NF. Products from enzymatic nitroreduction were monitored by HPLC and DNA adduct formation by ³²P-postlabeling. Xanthine oxidase/hypoxanthine-catalyzed nitroreduction of 2,7-diNF, 2-nitrofluorene (2-NF), and 1-nitropyrene (1-NP) yielded the respective amines to similar extents (30−50%). However, the level of the major adducts (~0.15/10⁶ nucleotides) from 2-NF [N-(deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-2-aminofluorene] and 2,7-diNF [N-(deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-2-amino-7-NF] was ≤2% that from 1-NP. In the presence of acetyl CoA, nitroreduction of 2-NF catalyzed by rat liver cytosol/NADH yielded the same adduct at a level of 2.2/10⁶ nucleotides. Liver or mammary gland cytosol with acetyl CoA yielded mainly N-(deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-2-amino-7-NF from 2,7-diNF at >30 adducts/10⁶ nucleotides, levels comparable to those from 1,6-dinitropyrene and 4- or 49-fold greater than the respective levels without acetyl CoA. Recovery of 2-nitroso-7-NF and 2-amino-7-NF from cytosol-catalyzed reduction of 2,7-diNF indicated nitroreduction and an N-hydroxy arylamine intermediate. Likewise, the presence of 2-acetylamino-7-NF indicated that reactivity with acyltransferase(s) was not prevented by the nitro group at C7. These data are consistent with activation of 2,7-diNF via nitroreduction to the N-hydroxy arylamine and acetyl CoA-dependent O-acetylation of the latter to bind to DNA. Enzymatic nitroreduction of 2,7-diNF was greatly enhanced by 9-oxidation. The nitroreduction of either 9-oxo-2,7-diNF or 9-hydroxy-2,7-diNF catalyzed by liver cytosol with acetyl CoA yielded two adducts (>2/10⁶ nucleotides). Differences in the TLC migration of these adducts, compared to those from 2,7-diNF, and the lack of 2,7-diNF formation in the incubations suggested retention of the C9-oxidized groups. The relative ratios of the amine to amide from nitroreductions of 9-oxo-2,7-diNF and 2,7-diNF catalyzed by liver cytosol suggested that the 9-oxo group decreased reactivity with acyltransferase and, thus, the amount of N-acetoxy arylamine that binds to DNA. The mammary gland tumorigenicity of 2,7-diNF and the extent of its activation by the tumor target tissue shown herein suggest relevance of this environmental pollutant for breast cancer.

This paper reports structural characterization of the adducts and tetraols formed from syn-benzo[ghi]fluoranthene-3,4-dihydrodiol-5,5a-epoxide (syn-B[ghi]FDE, 3) and comparative DNA-binding and mutagenicity studies involving 3, anti-B[ghi]FDE (2), and anti-benzo[c]phenanthrene-11,12-dihydrodiol-13,14-epoxide (anti-BcPDE, 5). The structures of nine DNA adducts and two racemic tetraols derived from 3 have been determined spectroscopically. Similar characterization of adducts obtained from the anti-isomer 2 was described in the preceding paper in this issue [Chang et al. (2002) Chem. Res. Toxicol. 15, 187−197]. The majority of DNA adducts with 3 are those from the trans- or cis-opening of the epoxide at C5a by the exocyclic amino groups of dG, dA, and dC. The diolepoxides 2 and 3 are rigid structure analogues of anti- and syn-BcPDE (5 and 6), respectively, thus serving as models for probing molecular deformity and diol conformation in diolepoxide−DNA interaction. Comparative DNA binding experiments indicate that 57% of 2 and 33% of 3 were converted into DNA adducts, whereas a 71% conversion was observed for 5. In general, lower percentages were observed with denatured calf-thymus DNA. As for base selectivity, 2 showed a greater affinity for dA relative to dG (dA/dG ratio, 0.79) than 3 (0.56) when reacted with native calf-thymus DNA. A much higher dA/dG ratio (1.41) was obtained for 5. The overall dA/dG ratios were lower with denatured DNA, indicating the importance of the secondary structure of DNA for both adduct formation and chemical selectivity. The T-shape pseudo-diaxial diols of 3 appears to have favorable electrostatic interactions with the nearby phosphate backbone in the minor groove of DNA, thereby yielding greater amounts of dG adducts than the pseudo-diequatorial 2. The anti-isomer 2 was found to be seven times more mutagenic than 3, but they are significantly less mutagenic than the nonplanar analogue 5 when tested in Salmonella typhimurium TA 100.

Coal tar is a complex mixture containing hundreds of compounds, at least 30 of which are polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, including the carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene (BaP). Although humans are exposed to complex mixtures on a daily basis, the synergistic or individual effects of components within a mixture on the carcinogenic process remain unclear. We have compared DNA adduct formation and cell proliferation in mice fed coal tar or BaP for 4 weeks with tumor formation in a 2 year chronic feeding study. Additionally, we have analyzed tumor DNA for mutations in the K-ras, H-ras and p53 genes. In the forestomach of mice fed either coal tar or BaP an adduct indicative of BaP was detected, with adduct levels increasing in a dose-responsive manner. K-ras mutations were detected in the forestomach tumors, with the incidence being similar in mice fed coal tar or BaP. These results suggest that the BaP within coal tar is associated with forestomach tumor induction in coal tar-fed mice. DNA adduct levels in the small intestine were not predictive of tumor incidence in this tissue; instead, the tumors appeared to result from compound-induced cell proliferation at high doses of coal tar. K-ras mutations were detected in lung tumors. Since lung tumors were not increased by BaP, coal tar components other than BaP appear to be responsible for the tumors induced in this tissue. H-ras mutations, primarily occurring at codon 61, were the most common mutation observed in liver tumors induced by coal tar. Since this mutation profile is observed in spontaneous hepatic tumors, components in the coal tar may be promoting the expansion of pre-existing lesions.

Recently we compared the lacI and Hprt mutant frequencies (MFs) and types of mutations in lymphocytes of Big Blue((R)) (BB) rats exposed to 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) under conditions that result in mammary gland tumors. In this study, we have examined the target mammary tissue for DMBA-induced DNA adducts, lacI MF and types of lacI mutations. Seven-week-old female BB rats were given single doses of 0, 20 or 130 mg/kg DMBA by gavage and the DNA adducts and lacI MFs in the mammary tissue were measured over a period of 14 days and 18 weeks, respectively, following treatment. The lacI MF in the mammary tissue increased for 10 weeks and then remained relatively constant; 130 mg/kg DMBA produced a 14-fold increase in the MF (255 +/- 50 x 10(-6) p.f.u.) over control MF (18. 3 +/- 4 x 10(-6) p.f.u.). (32)P-post-labeling analysis of DNA from mammary tissue and splenic lymphocytes of treated rats revealed two major adducts. Comparison of these adducts with DMBA standards indicated that the adducts formed by DMBA involved both G:C and A:T base pairs. DNA sequencing revealed that the majority of DMBA-induced lacI mutations were base pair substitutions and that A:T-->T:A (44% of the independent mutations) and G:C-->T:A (24% of the independent mutations) transversions were the predominant types. Furthermore, the mutational results revealed a 'hotspot' for a G-->T mutation in codon 95 (GTG-->TTG) of the lacI gene in mammary tissue. These results suggest that DMBA is highly mutagenic to lacI in mammary tissue and that adducts with both G:C and A:T base pairs participate in forming mutations in DMBA-treated BB rats.

Screening of our chemical library using a rat corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) receptor assay led to the discovery that 2-anilinopyrimidine 15-1 weakly displaced [¹²⁵I]-0-Tyr-oCRH from rat frontal cortex homogenates when compared to the known peptide antagonist α-helical CRH(9−41) (Ki = 5700 nM vs 1 nM). Furthermore, 15-1 weakly inhibited CRH-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in the same tissue, but it was less potent than α-helical CRH(9−41) (IC50 = 20 000 nM vs 250 nM). Systematic structure−activity relationship studies, using the cloned human CRH1 receptor assay, defined the pharmacophore for optimal binding to hCRH1 receptors. Several high-affinity 2-anilinopyrimidines and -triazines were discovered, some of which had superior pharmacokinetic profiles in the rat. This paper describes the structure−activity studies which improved hCRH1 receptor binding affinity and pharmacokinetic parameters in the rat. Compound 28-17 (mean hCRH1 Ki = 32 nM) had a significantly improved pharmacokinetic profile in the rat (19% oral bioavailability at 30 mg/kg) as well as in the dog (20% oral bioavailability at 5 mg/kg) relative to the early lead structures.

The in vitro binding properties of 1-(cyclopropylmethyl)-4-(2'-(4''-fluorophenyl)-2'-oxoethyl)pipe ridi ne HBr, [3H]DuP 734, a novel sigma receptor ligand, were examined in homogenates of guinea pig brain. Specific [3H]DuP 734 binding (10 microM haloperidol-displaceable) in cerebellum was dependent on pH, temperature and membrane protein concentration, reversible, saturable and of high affinity (KD = 228 +/- 34 pM; Bmax = 3856 +/- 340 fmol/mg protein). [3H]DuP 734 binding was substantially reduced by treating the membrane with proteases and completely abolished by heat denaturation. [3H]DuP 734 binding was unaffected by the presence of ions or guanine nucleotides. The pharmacological characteristics of [3H]DuP 734 binding in cerebellum displayed the same rank order and stereospecificity as previously reported for sigma receptors in brain. [3H]DuP 734-labeled sigma receptors were heterogeneously distributed throughout the central nervous systems with highest densities present in pons/medulla, hypothalamus, spinal cord and cerebellum. In addition to labeling sigma receptors, a second, lower affinity, haloperidol-insensitive [3H] DuP 734 binding site was observed in the cerebral cortex. This second site could not be positively identified as a neuronal receptor because a series of standard compounds were unable to displace [3H]DuP 734 from the haloperidol-insensitive site; only structural analogs of DuP 734 proved effective in displacing [3H]DuP 734 from the haloperidol-insensitive site. In summary, [3H]DuP 734 is a novel ligand that binds with high affinity to sigma receptors in brain.

Previous studies have identified a saturable site of d-[3H]amphetamine sequestration (AMSEQ) in rat brain synaptosomes. The present study characterized AMSEQ with respect to its subcellular, neuronal and regional distributions, ontogenetic development, pharmacological specificity and factors required for its maintenance. Although AMSEQ was reduced when assays were performed in Krebs' buffer incubated at 37 degrees C as compared to assays performed in isotonic Tris-sucrose buffer incubated at room temperature, the pharmacological profiles of AMSEQ were virtually identical under both conditions. AMSEQ was negligible in tissues outside the central nervous system, enriched in synaptosomes and partially reduced by striatal kainic acid lesion, indicating neuronal localization. The distribution of AMSEQ in the central nervous system was heterogenous. Highest levels were present in hypothalamus with progressively lower levels noted in parietal cortex, frontal cortex, striatum, thalamus, hippocampus, midbrain, cerebellum, pons-medulla and spinal cord. With regard to its ontogeny, AMSEQ increased early in neonatal life, reaching adult levels by postnatal day 14. Although the effects of amphetamine to abolish the transynaptosomal pH gradient suggest a possible role for this gradient in the maintenance of AMSEQ, the pharmacological profile of AMSEQ indicates that other factors are involved. An interaction with an intrasynaptosomal acid, such as N-acetylaspartate, may account for AMSEQ maintenance. AMSEQ did not possess a stereospecific preference for either d-(IC50 = 177 microM) or I-amphetamine (IC50 = 173 microM). However, the pharmacological profile of AMSEQ indicated structural specificity with antidepressants being relatively potent inhibitors. The saturation analysis and pharmacological characteristics of AMSEQ (i.e., low affinity and lack of stereospecificity) suggest that AMSEQ may be related to high dose, nonstereospecific effects of amphetamine, such as stereotypy in rats and psychosis in humans. The relative high potency of antidepressants in inhibiting AMSEQ suggests the importance of this phenomenon in the therapeutic effects of these drugs. Furthermore, the link between antidepressants and AMSEQ may provide insight into the comorbidity of major depression and drug abuse.

The accumulation of 5 nM d-[3H]amphetamine (d-[3H]AMPH) into rat brain synaptosomes was examined using physiological buffer conditions. The accumulation of d-[3H]AMPH into striatal synaptosomes was saturable, of high affinity, ouabain-sensitive and temperature-dependent, suggesting an active transport phenomenon. Eadee-Hofstee analysis of striatal d-[3H]AMPH transport (AMT) saturation isotherms indicated an apparent Km of 97 nM and a Vmax of 3.0 fmol/mg tissue/min. Lesion of the striatal dopaminergic innervation led to equivalent decreases of [3H] dopamine (DA) transport and AMT, indicating that AMT occurs in DA terminals. Furthermore, AMT was not evident in cerebral cortex, a brain region with a paucity of DA terminals. In competition studies, AMT was stereospecific; d-AMPH (IC50 = 60 nM) was an 8-fold more potent inhibitor of the transport than its I-isomer (IC50 = 466 nM). DA(IC50 = 257 nM), DA uptake blockers and substrates were found to be potent inhibitors of AMT: GBR12909 IC50 = 5 nM; methamphetamine IC50 = 48 nM; methylphenidate IC50 = 53 nM; and cocaine IC50 = 172 nM. In contrast, serotonin was relatively weak in inhibiting AMT (IC50 = 7.9 microM). There was a highly significant (P less than .001; slope = 1.2) linear correlation between the AMT-inhibiting potencies of AMPH analogs and their potencies in stimulating locomotor activity in rodents. AMT may be important in the low dose effects of AMPH such as increased locomotor activity in rodents and stimulant activity in man. Differences between AMT and d-[3H]AMPH sequestration described earlier, as well as their possible relevance to behavioral and neurochemical sequelae of AMPH administration are also discussed.

The pharmacokinetics and neurochemical effects of repeated fenfluramine administration in rats (1-24 mg/kg s.c., b.i.d. for 4 days) were examined with respect to dose dependence, regional specificity and time course of recovery. Fenfluramine administration resulted in parallel increases in plasma and brain concentrations of the drug and its metabolite, norfenfluramine, which were dose-related but nonlinear. Doses of 1 and 2 mg/kg fenfluramine increased brain serotonin (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid with no significant effects on 5-HT uptake sites. Higher doses of fenfluramine (4-24 mg/kg) reduced all three brain 5-HT markers with maximal decreases (80%-90%) occurring at 12 mg/kg. High-dose (24 mg/kg) fenfluramine administration led to larger decreases in 5-HT markers in neocortex, striatum and hippocampus than in hypothalamus, brain stem and spinal cord. Following 80% to 90% reductions of the 5-HT markers in neocortex and hippocampus at 18 hr after drug treatment, 5-HT and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid returned to control levels by 4 and 16 weeks, respectively, but 5-HT uptake sites initially recovered more slowly, with a 25% reduction still evident at 8 months. At this time 5-HT and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid were again reduced. Fenfluramine administration produced dose-dependent and biphasic effects on brain dopamine markers. Increases in homovanillic acid levels were apparent at 2 hr, whereas decreases in the levels of dopamine, homovanillic acid and dihydroxyphenylacetic acid were evident at 18 hr post-treatment. Norepinephrine levels were only decreased by doses of fenfluramine greater than or equal to 4 mg/kg. Fenfluramine administration did not cause long-term alterations in dopamine or norepinephrine uptake sites.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

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