The effect of methylene dimethanesulphonate (MDMS) on the conformation of DNA and its dependence on base composition.

The interaction of the alkanesulphonate, methylene dimethanesulphonate (MDMS) with DNA has been studied. Thermal denaturation studies on mixtures of MDMS and DNA showed a dose-dependent decrease of the melting temperature midpoint (Tm) of the DNA. In addition, an irreversible decrease in ultraviolet absorption (hypochromism) preceded the hyperchromic shift, the magnitude of the former being linearly related to both the relative concentration of MDMS and the G-C content of the DNA used. Neither the reduction in melting temperature nor the initial UV absorption decrease occurred after dialysis of the reaction mixture. Equimolar proportions of the hydrolysis products of MDMS did not give the same effects as observed with the unhydrolysed agent. A similar hypochromism followed by strand separation occurs when DNA is allowed to stand with MDMS at room temperature, the time of subsequent strand separation being related to the treatment level of the drug. A weak association of MDMS with DNA is considered to be involved resulting in a local compression of the helical structure in the vicinity of the G-C pairs. It is suggested that this conformational change may act as a substrate for repair enzymes in vivo.     

The establishment of MDMS-resistant cloned cell lines from in vitro cultured, MDMS-sensitive, Yoshida sarcoma cells

A cloned cell line established from an in vivo maintained Yoshida tumour, known to be sensitive to methylene dimethanesulphonate (MDMS), was subjected to selection in vitro by repeated treatments with MDMS. After six successive clonal isolations the resultant clone showed an increase in resistance to MDMS by a factor of 10³. The cell lines selected in vitro for resistance to MDMS were not crossresistant to HN₂, suggesting that sensitivity to bifunctional alkylating agents is controlled by at least two mutations. The biphasic nature of the dose-response curves even after successive cloning indicates some instability of factors determining resistance.     

Effect of methyl methanesulphonate (MMS) and methylene dimethanesulphonate (MDMS) on the template activity of DNA isolated from MDMS-sensitive and -resistant Yoshida cells.

Both methylene dimethanesulphonate (MDMS) and methyl methanesulphonate (MMS) cause the template activity of Yoshida cell DNA to decrease in a dose-dependent manner. The MDMS-resistant subline of Yoshida tumour is less sensitive in terms of DNA template activity than the MDMS-sensitive subline towards both agents. Although the difference in sensitivity is not reflected in the survival data after each agent, it does suggest that the DNA from each cell line differs in its capacity to function as an efficient template.     

Repair replication and unscheduled DNA synthesis in mammalian cell lines showing differential sensitivity to alkylating agents

Repair replication has been measured by CsCl density gradient centrifugation in cell lines showing differential sensitivity to mono- and bifunctional alkylating agents. A correlation between cellular sensitivity as measured by the D₀ value and amount of repair replication was demonstrated after exposure of Yoshida cells to nitrogen mustard (HN2) and methylene dimethanesulphonate (MDMS). No differences in the amount of repair replication after methyl methanesulphonate (MMS) were observed in two L5178Y cell lines which differed in sensitivity by virtue of the shoulder size only. The Yoshida cell lines showed no difference in sensitivity to MMS and no difference in amount of repair replication. Incorporation of tritiated thymidine 9[³H]TdR) after drug treament was also measured by autoradiography. The qualitative differences observed between the two cell lines were similar to those obtained in density gradient experiments. The temporal pattern of [³H]TdR uptake indicated that the reduced repair replication observed in the sensitive line after HN2 and MDMS is not due to slower synthesis. The kinetics of [^3H]TdR incorporation differed for all three mutagens suggesting that different enzymes may be involved in each case.     

The response of Parp knockout mice against DNA damaging agents

Gene-disruption studies involving poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (Parp) have identified the various roles of Parp in cellular responses to DNA damage. The partial rescue of V[D]J recombination process in SCID/Parp(-/-) double mutant mice indicates the participation of Parp in the repair of DNA strand break. Parp(-/-) mice are more sensitive to the lethal effects of alkylating agents. Parp is also thought to be involved in base-excision repair after DNA damage caused by alkylating agents. On the other hand, resistance of Parp(-/-) mice to DNA damage induced by reactive oxygen species implicates the contribution of Parp to cell death through NAD depletion. Parp(-/-) mice with two different genetic backgrounds also show enhanced sensitivity to the lethal effects of gamma-irradiation. Parp(-/-) mice show more severe villous atrophy of the small intestine compared to the wild-type counterpart in a genetic background of 129Sv/C57BL6. Other forms of enhanced tissue damage have been identified in Parp(-/-) mice with a genetic background of 129Sv/ICR. For example, Parp(-/-) mice exhibit extensive hemorrhage in the glandular stomach and other tissues, such as the testes, after gamma-irradiation. Severe myelosuppression is also observed in both Parp(+/+) and Parp(-/-) mice, but Parp(+/+) mice show extensive extramedullary hematopoiesis in the spleen during the recovery phase of post-irradiation, whereas the spleen of Parp(-/-) mice exhibits severe atrophy with no extramedullary hematopoiesis. The absence of extramedullary hematopoiesis in the spleen is probably the underlying mechanism of hemorrhagic tendency in various tissues of Parp(-/-) mice. These findings suggest that loss of Parp activity could contribute to post-irradiation tissue hemorrhage.     

Investigation of the cytotoxic effects of DNA damaging agents on neurofibromatosis cells

Cells cultured from individuals with neurofibromatosis, a genetic syndrome associated with a predisposition to malignancy, were studied. We examined survival as measured by colony formation in skin fibroblasts from 5 patients with neurofibromatosis after exposure to X-rays, ultraviolet light and an alkylating agent. We did not observe mutagen hypersensitivity in neurofibromatosis cells as compared to normal controls.     

TET1 deficiency attenuates the DNA damage response and promotes resistance to DNA damaging agents

Recent studies have shown that loss of TET1 may play a significant role in the formation of tumors. Because genomic instability is a hallmark of cancer, we examined the potential involvement of 10-11 translocation 1 (TET1) in the DNA damage response (DDR). Here we demonstrate that, in response to clinically relevant doses of ionizing radiation (IR), human glial cells made TET1-deficient with lentiviral vectors displayed greater numbers of colony forming units and lower levels of apoptotic markers compared with glial cells transduced with control vectors; yet, they harbored greater DNA strand breaks. The G₂/M check point and expression of cyclin B1 were greatly diminished in TET1-deficient cells, and TET1-deficient cells displayed lower levels of γH2A.x following exposure to IR. Levels of DNA-PKcs, which are DNA-PK complex members, were lower in TET1-deficient cells compared with control cell lines. However, levels of ATM were similar in both cell lines. Cyclin B1, DNA-PKcs, and γH2A.x levels were each rescued by reintroduction of the TET1 catalytic domain. Finally, cytosine methylation within intron 1 of PRKDC, the gene encoding DNA-PKcs, was significantly higher upon depletion of TET1. Taken together, this study illustrates the involvement of TET1 in the different arms of the DDR and suggests its loss results in the continued survival of cells with genomic instability.     

The use of DNA probes identifying restriction-fragment-length polymorphisms to examine the Mycobacterium avium complex

DNA probes were used to identify restriction-fragment-length polymorphisms (RFLPs) in DNA samples, demonstrating that the Mycobacterium avium complex could be clearly divided Into M. avium and Mycobacterium intracellulare strains. Less than 2% DNA base substitution was found between M. avium strains, whereas the M. intracellulare strains had greater than 15% base substitution. The Johne's disease bacillus, Mycobacterium paratubercuiosis (American type strain), was found to be distinguishable from the M. avium complex serotypes examined. Strain 18 was found to be identical to M. avium. The rat leprosy bacillus, Mycobacterium lepraemurium, was found to be very closely related, but not identical, to M. avium.     

The use of DNA probes identifying restriction-fragment-length polymorphisms to examine the Mycobacterium avium complex

DNA probes were used to identify restriction-fragment-length polymorphisms (RFLPs) in DNA samples, demonstrating that the Mycobacterium avium complex could be clearly divided into M. avium and Mycobacterium intracellulare strains. Less than 2% DNA base substitution was found between M. avium strains, whereas the M. intracellulare strains had greater than 15% base substitution. The Johne's disease bacillus, Mycobacterium paratuberculosis (American type strain), was found to be distinguishable from the M. avium complex serotypes examined. Strain 18 was found to be identical to M. avium. The rat leprosy bacillus, Mycobacterium lepraemurium, was found to be very closely related, but not identical, to M. avium.     

Moderate variations in CDC25B protein levels modulate the response to DNA damaging agents

CDC25B, one of the three members of the CDC25 dual-specificity phosphatase family, plays a critical role in the control of the cell cycle and in the checkpoint response to DNA damage. CDC25B is responsible for the initial dephosphorylation and activation of the cyclin-dependent kinases, thus initiating the train of events leading to entry into mitosis.1 The critical role played by CDC25B is illustrated by the fact that it is specifically required for checkpoint recovery2, 3 and that unscheduled accumulation of CDC25B is responsible for illegitimate entry into mitosis.3-5 Here, we report that in p53-/- colon carcinoma cells, a moderate increase in the CDC25B level is sufficient to impair the DNA damage checkpoint, to increase spontaneous mutagenesis, and to sensitize cells to ionising radiation and genotoxic agents. Using a tumour cell spheroid assay as an alternative to animal studies, we demonstrate that the level of CDC25B expression modulates growth inhibition and apoptotic death. Since CDC25B overexpression has been observed in a significant number of human cancers, including colon carcinoma, and is often associated with high grade tumours and poor prognosis1, our work suggests that the expression level of CDC25B might be a potential key parameter of the cellular response to cancer therapy.     

Strategic down-regulation of DNA polymerase beta by antisense RNA sensitizes mammalian cells to specific DNA damaging agents.

Previously, mouse NIH 3T3 cells were stably transfected with human DNA polymerase beta (beta-pol) cDNA in the antisense orientation and under the control of a metallothionein promoter [Zmudzka, B.Z. and Wilson, S.H. (1990) Som. Cell Mol. Gen., 16, 311-320]. To assess the feasibility of enhancing the efficacy of chemotherapy by an antisense approach and to confirm a role for beta-pol in cellular DNA repair, we looked for increased sensitivity to DNA damaging agents under conditions where beta-pol is down-regulated in the antisense cell line. Such a sensitization is anticipated only where beta-pol is rate-limiting in a DNA repair pathway. A number of agents were tested: cis-diamminedichloroplatinum II (cisplatin); 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1- nitrosourea (BCNU); ionizing radiation and the radio-mimetic drug bleomycin; the bifunctional alkylating agents nitrogen mustard and L-phenylalanine mustard (melphalan); the monofunctional alkylating agent methyl methane sulfonate (MMS) and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. In the cases of cisplatin and UV radiation, a significant enhancement of cytotoxicity was observed. Damage as a result of both of these agents is thought to be repaired by the nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway. The results suggest that, in this cell line, beta-pol is involved in and is rate-limiting in NER. We propose that down-regulation of beta-pol by antisense approaches might be used to enhance the cytotoxic effects of cisplatin and other DNA damaging chemotherapeutic agents.     

The use of transepithelial models to examine host-pathogen interactions

Many pathogens must overcome an epithelial barrier in order to establish an infection. Unsurprisingly, such pathogens have evolved different mechanisms to overcome this obstacle, targeting specific epithelial structures or functions. These include disruption of epithelial barrier function, transcytosing from the apical to the basolateral membrane domain or inducing cell movement such as neutrophil recruitment. When studying these processes in vivo, animal models often fail to mimic the disease observed in humans and present a complex system in which many variables cannot be controlled. Therefore, in vitro transepithelial models that permit the study of a relevant biological surface have been developed, to integrate not only interactions between bacteria and epithelial cells but also, under certain conditions, to integrate a third cell type, such as neutrophils or dendritic cells. Such models are particularly useful for studying the bacteria-host relationship as it would occur in the microenvironment of the human epithelium and have enhanced our understanding of the unique strategies by which pathogenic bacteria exploit host cells to overcome the initial epithelial hurdle.     

Might the cell damaging effect of alcohol be prevented by redox agents?

It was found that alcohol caused pathological and irreversible decrements of the redox-state potential (redosis) in the pancreas and the liver. On giving reducing agents, a compensatory oxidosis developed, and this could prevent the cell damaging effect of alcohol. This effect was most marked in the reversible phase, while it could be effective also in the irreversible phase. By measuring the redox buffer capacity in the tissues it is possible to determine the measure of reversibility of the injury caused by alcohol.     

Effects of DNA damaging agents on cultured fibroblasts derived from patients with Cockayne syndrome.

The cytotoxic action of physical and chemical agents on 10 skin fibroblast strains in culture derived from individuals with Cockayne's syndrome was measured in terms of colony-forming ability. As compared to fibroblasts from normal donors, all Cockayne cell strains tested exhibited a significantly increased sensitivity to UV light and a normal sensitivity to X-rays. Cells from two sets of parents of unrelated Cockayne children showed an intermediate level of UV sensitivity. There was no effect of 0.5 mM caffeine on UV survival in normal and two Cockayne strains tested, indicating that postreplicational repair in Cockayne cells as measured by caffeine sensitivity was probably normal. Sensitivity of normal and Cockayne cells to the chemical carcinogens and mutagens 4NQO, N-AcO-AAF, ICR-170 and EMS was also compared. An increased sensitivity of Cockayne cells to 4NQO or N-AcO-AAF, but not the ICR-170 or EMS, was observed. However, unlike the intermediate UV sensitivity, the cell strains from two parents of Cockayne patients showed the same sensitivity to N-AcO-AAF or 4NQO as fibroblasts from normal individuals. Quantiation of damage to the DNA after 20 J . m-2 UV irradiation indicates normal levels of [3H] thymidine incorporation in the Cockayne cells, in contrast to UV-irradiated xeroderma pigmentosum cells (XP 12BE) in which there was a very low level of repari synthesis. Moreover, we have shown previously that excision of UV-induced pyrimidine dimers in 2 of the 10 Cockayne cell strains was normal.     

The use of AFLPs to examine genetic relatedness in barley

The generation of AFLPs in spring barley cultivars provided genetic information relating to the development of the crop in the UK since 1953. Principal co-ordinate (PCO) analysis of genetic similarities (gs) confirmed the marked contrast in the cultivars used in the 1970s and 1980s. The earliest cultivars, many derived from Proctor, were succeeded by tall-strawed, disease-resistant types with high yield but poor malting potential. In the 1980s they were in turn replaced by short-strawed cultivars with excellent yield and good malting quality, which originated from Triumph. A PCO plot of gs provided insight into the effects of selection for disease resistance and the antagonism between malting quality and particular resistance genes. The analysis of gs was more useful than pedigrees and estimates of kinship in revealing the genetic relationship between cultivars. Theoretical considerations for maximising the efficiency of an AFLP genotyping programme are discussed in the context of the number of primer pairs required to distinguish genotypes at varying levels of similarity.     

The relationship between chromosomal aberrations, survival and DNA repair in tumour cell lines of differential sensitivity to X-rays and sulphur mustard

A pair of cultured rat lymphosarcoma cell lines (Yoshida) with a pronounced differential sensitivity to killing with sulphur mustard (SM), but with the same sensitivity to X-rays, was examined for chromosome damage and DNA repair replication after treatment with these agents. A pair of mouse lymphoma cell lines (L5178Y) with a differential sensitivity to X-rays was similarly investigated.SM-resistant Yoshida cells suffered much less chromosome damage than sensitive cells in spite of equal alkylation of DNA, RNA and protein in sensitive and resistant cells. The pair of Yoshida cell lines sustained the same amount of chromosome damage after X-irradiation. Much less chromosome damage was observed in the radiation-resistant lymphoma cell line than in the sensitive line after X-irradiation.No differences was found between the pairs of cell lines in their capacities for repair replication after SM or X-ray treatment.Thus, the drug and radiation resistance is accompanied by, and perhaps mediated through, a reduced amount of induced chromosome damage but is not quantitatively related to the capacity for DNA repair replication.Apart from small differences in modal chromosome numbers there are no obvious karyotype differences between the sulphur mustard-sensitive and -resistant Yoshida cells or between the radiation-sensitive and -resistant lymphoma cells.     

Targeted disruption of Np95 gene renders murine embryonic stem cells hypersensitive to DNA damaging agents and DNA replication blocks

NP95, which contains a ubiquitin-like domain, a cyclin A/E-Cdk2 phosphorylation site, a retinoblastoma (Rb) binding motif, and a ring finger domain, has been shown to be colocalized as foci with proliferating cell nuclear antigen in early and mid-S phase nuclei. We established Np95 nulligous embryonic stem cells by replacing the exons 2-7 of the Np95 gene with a neo cassette and by selecting out a spontaneously occurring homologous chromosome crossing over with a higher concentration of neomycin. Np95-null cells were more sensitive to x-rays, UV light, N-methyl-N"-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG), and hydroxyurea than embryonic stem wild type (Np95(+/+)) or heterozygously inactivated (Np95(+/-)) cells. Expression of transfected Np95 cDNA in Np95-null cells restored the resistance to x-rays, UV, MNNG, or hydroxyurea concurrently to a level similar to that of Np95(+/-) cells, although slightly below that of wild type (Np95(+/+)) cells. These findings suggest that NP95 plays a role in the repair of DNA damage incurred by these agents. The frequency of spontaneous sister chromatid exchange was significantly higher for Np95-null cells than for Np95(+/+) cells or Np95(+/-) cells (p < 0.001). We conclude that NP95 functions as a common component in the multiple response pathways against DNA damage and replication arrest and thereby contributes to genomic stability.