Resolution and absolute configuration of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene 5,6-epoxide enantiomers

The enantiomers of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) 5,6-epoxide were directly resolved by normal-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with an ionically bonded chiral stationary phase. The absolute configurations of the resolved enantiomers were determined by comparison of circular dichroism spectra of the methanolysis products formed from the epoxide enantiomers with that of a DMBA trans-5,6-dihydrodiol enantiomer of known absolute stereochemistry. DMBA 5R,6S-epoxide is hydrated by rat liver microsomal epoxide hydrolase predominantly (95%) to a 5S,6S-dihydrodiol. The results indicate that the 5S,6S-dihydrodiol formed from the metabolism of DMBA by microsomes prepared from the livers of 3-methylcholanthrene-treated rats is predominantly derived from a 5R,6S-epoxide intermediate.     

Absolute configuration of cis-5,6-dihydrodiol enantiomers derived from helical conformers of 1,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene

1,12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (1,12-DMBA) cis-5,6-dihydrodiol was synthesized by oxidation of 1,12-DMBA with osmium tetroxide in pyridine in low yield (less than or equal to 3%) and was purified by sequential use of reversed-phase and normal-phase HPLC. Two pairs of 1,12-DMBA cis-5,6-dihydrodiol enantiomers, derived from P (right-handed helix) and M (left-handed helix) conformers, were eluted as a single chromatographic peak on both reversed-phase and normal-phase HPLC. However, these four enantiomers were resolved by sequential use of two chiral stationary phase (CSP) HPLC columns. CSP (Pirkle type I) columns were packed with either (R)-N-(3,5-dinitrobenzoyl)phenylglycine or (S)-N-(3,5-dinitrobenzoyl)leucine, which is ionically bonded to gamma-aminopropylsilanized silica. Absolute configurations of enantiomers were determined by comparing their circular dichroism spectra with those of conformationally similar cis-5,6-dihydrodiol enantiomers of 4-methylbenz[a]anthracene and 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene with known absolute stereochemistry.     

Selective potent restriction of P450b- but not P450e-dependent 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene metabolism by the microsomal environment

The prototypic members of the rat liver cytochrome P450IIB subfamily, P450b and P450e, differ by only 13 amino acids and yet purified P450b is considerably more active than P450e for all known substrates. A unique regioselectivity difference between cytochromes P450b and P450e for the metabolism of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) and a genetic deficiency in P450e expression in the Marshall (M520/N) rat strain have been exploited to determine the microsomal contributions of the respective forms toward the metabolism of DMBA. The total contribution to metabolism by each isozyme has been assessed based on the sensitivity to rabbit anti-P450b/e IgG and comparison with microsomal P450b and P450e content as measured by Western blots. Liver microsomes from untreated M520/N rats do not express detectable levels of P450e but express P450b at a level that is 2-fold higher than that of P450e in liver microsomes from untreated F344 rats (50 pmol/mg). However, only 4% of the constitutive DMBA metabolizing activity of liver microsomes from the M520/N rat strain could be inhibited by anti-P450b/e IgG. A 30-fold induction of hepatic P450b by phenobarbital (PB) was also completely ineffective in increasing P450b-dependent DMBA metabolism. PB treatment had no appreciable effect on either the levels of expression of P450b protein or P450b-dependent DMBA metabolism, in M520/N lung and adrenal microsomes. In contrast, PB treatment of F344 rats considerably increased P450b/e-dependent metabolism by liver, lung, and adrenal microsomes. The regioselectivity of the anti-P450b/e-sensitive metabolism (predominantly 12-methyl hydroxylation), however, indicated a much greater contribution from P450e than P450b in every tissue examined despite a several fold higher expression of P450b than of P450e. P450b was expressed constitutively in lung microsomes from both strains but again failed to exhibit appreciable DMBA metabolizing activity. Based on these activities and microsomal P450b contents, P450b consistently exhibited turnover numbers (0.02-0.15 nmol/nmol P450b/min) that were at least 10-fold lower than those of pure P450b. In contrast, the calculated turnover numbers for microsomal P450e were consistently comparable to those of pure P450e (approximately 1 nmol/nmol P450e/min).     

Metabolism of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene by Cunninghamella elegans

The metabolites of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA), a carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, in cultures of Cunninghamella elegans were isolated by high-pressure liquid chromatography and characterized by UV spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The major metabolites were DMBA-trans-8,9-dihydrodiol and DMBA-trans-3,4-dihydrodiol. The 7-hydroxymethyl and the 12-hydroxymethyl derivatives of these dihydrodiol metabolites were also formed. The metabolic profile described in this report contrasts with those obtained in our earlier experiments in which the incubation of DMBA with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Penicillium notatum produced no dihydrodiol metabolites but only methyl-hydroxylated metabolites.     

Photooxidation products of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene.

The principal products of the photooxidation of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]-anthracene (DMBA) in aqueous solutions by photooxidation induced by laboratory lighting have been characterized by high performance liquid chromatograms (HPLC), ultraviolet and mass spectrograms and by comparisons with authentic samples. The products identified were the 7,12-epidioxy-7,12-dihydro-7-12-dimethyl-, 7,12-dione, 7-hydroxymethyl-12-methyl-, 12-hydroxymethyl-7-methyl-, 7-formyl-12-methyl-, 12-formyl-7-methyl-, and 12-hydroxy-12-methyl-7-one derivatives of benz[a]-anthracene. The HPLC profile of products is similar to that obtained from oxidation of DMBA by 'one-electron' reagents, singlet oxygen, or liver microsomal metabolism. The first points of attack are the 7- and 12- positions. The mechanism of photooxidation appears to be generation of singlet oxygen by photodynamic effect of DMBA. None of the products is photosensitizing, however.     

Metabolism of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene by Cunninghamella elegans.

The metabolites of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA), a carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, in cultures of Cunninghamella elegans were isolated by high-pressure liquid chromatography and characterized by UV spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The major metabolites were DMBA-trans-8,9-dihydrodiol and DMBA-trans-3,4-dihydrodiol. The 7-hydroxymethyl and the 12-hydroxymethyl derivatives of these dihydrodiol metabolites were also formed. The metabolic profile described in this report contrasts with those obtained in our earlier experiments in which the incubation of DMBA with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Penicillium notatum produced no dihydrodiol metabolites but only methyl-hydroxylated metabolites.     

Microbial metabolism and detoxification of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene

Summary Six strains of fungi grown on Sabouraud dextrose broth in the presence of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) were surveyed for their ability to metabolize DMBA. Experiments with [¹⁴C]DMBA indicated that the extent of formation of organic-soluble metabolites ranged from 6 to 28% after 5 days of incubation, depending on the organism tested. The yields of water-soluble metabolites also varied, and ranged from 1 to 33% after 5 days.Cunninghamella elegans ATCC 36112 andSyncephalastrum racemosum UT-70 exhibited the highest DMBA-metabolizing activity among the organisms surveyed.S. racemosum metabolized DMBA primarily to 7-hydroxymethyl-12-methylbenz[a]anthracene (7-OHM-12-MBA)_ and 7,12-dihydroxymethylbenz[a]anthracene (7,12-diOHMBA). Minor metabolites included 7-OHM-12-MBA-trans-5,6-, 8,9- and 10,11-dihydrodiols, and glucuronide and sulfate conjugates of phenolic derivatives of DMBA. In contrast, the major DMBA metabolites produced byC. elegans were water-soluble. The predominant organic-soluble metabolites produced byC. elegans included 7-OHM-12-MBA-trans-5,6-, 8,9- and 10,11-dihydrodiols. DMBA-trans-3,4-dihydrodiol was also detected. Circular dichroism spectral analysis revealed that the major enantiomer of the 7-OHM-12-MBA-trans-8,9-dihydrodiol formed by each organism has anS,S absolute configuration, while the major enantiomers of the 5,6-, 10,11- and 3,4-dihydrodiols had anR,R configuration. The mutagenic activity of extracts fromS. racemosum exposed to DMBA were determined inSalmonella typhimurium TA98. The mutagenicity of DMBA decreased by 36% over a period of 5 days as 33% of the compound was metabolized. Comparison of these results with previously reported results in mammalian systems suggests that there are similarities and differences between the fungal and mammalian oxidation of DMBA and that the overall balance of fungal metabolism is towards a detoxification rather than a bioactivation pathway.     

Micronucleus induction in mouse peripheral reticulocytes by 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene.

Micronucleus assays using mouse peripheral blood stained vitally on acridine orange (AO)-coated slides were evaluated at two laboratories with 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) and compared with the standard bone marrow assay. DMBA was administered by single intraperitoneal injection to CD-1 mice at doses ranging from 5 to 80 mg/kg, then 5 microliters of peripheral blood was sampled from a tail vein at 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120 h after treatment. Similar incidences of micronucleated young erythrocytes were observed in peripheral blood reticulocytes and bone marrow polychromatic erythrocytes. The dose response of micronucleated reticulocytes was delayed compared to that of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes. The dose-response curves after treatment with DMBA differed depending on the sampling times, which revealed the difficulty of obtaining accurate dose-response relations in the micronucleus assay. The present result demonstrated that the simple and rapid AO supravital staining method is a valuable and easier method for obtaining dose- and time-response data for quantification of micronucleus induction by chemicals.     

Sex-linked lethal mutations induced in Drosophila melanogaster by 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene

One of the most potent carcinogens, 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA), was tested for the induction of mutations in 2 strains of Drosophila melanogaster. Larvae were fed mixtures containing DMBA, peanut oil and solubilizing agents in darkness. After emergence the males were mated with Basc or FM7a females to test for sex-linked lethals. For Canton-S males, all DMBA treatments produced highly significant increases in mutation frequencies over controls. DMBA was slightly mutagenic for Oregon-R males.     

Administration-route-related difference in the micronucleus test with 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene

The effect of route of administration on the outcome of the mouse micronucleus test was evaluated in 2 laboratories by administering a model chemical, 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) by intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) and oral gavage administration (p.o.) to males of 2 mouse strains, MS/Ae and CD-1. On the basis of a small-scale acute toxicity study and a pilot micronucleus test, a full-scale micronucleus test was performed with a 48-h sampling time at doses of 25, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg by both administration routes in the 2 strains. At each dose level and in both strains, higher frequencies of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCEs) were found after use of the i.p. route. In the MS/Ae strain, a linear, positive dose response was obtained by both routes. In the CD-1 strain, the maximum response was reached at 100 mg/kg and a downturn occurred at 200 mg/kg by both routes. The comparison of maximum responses indicated that MS/Ae was the higher responder for both routes of application. Although DMBA induced micronuclei more efficiently by the i.p. route than after oral administration on a mg/kg base, this route-related difference was reversed in both strains when the comparison was made on the basis of LD50 values and when the maximum responses were neglected.     

Mechanisms of regulation of rat ovarian 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene hydroxylase

The mechanisms of regulation of ovarian 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) hydroxylase were investigated with respect to hormonal requirements and effects of the antiestrogen tamoxifen and known inducers of cytochrome P-450. The DMBA hydroxylase is increased endogenously about 3-fold in the proestrus phase as compared to the metestrus/diestrus phases (M. Bengtsson and J. Rydstrom, Science, 219 (1983) 1437-1438). A similar effect was caused by the gonadotropins follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) whereas pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin (PMSG) brought about a 3-7-fold increase, suggesting that the estrus cycle-dependence of the DMBA hydroxylase was due directly or indirectly to gonadotropins. In contrast, differentiation of granulosa/theca cells to corpus luteum cells after ovulation, caused by administration of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), led to a marked decrease in activity. The activity was not specific for DMBA since substitution of this hydrocarbon for benzo[a]pyrene (BP) as substrate gave similar results. A possible role of estrogens in this context was investigated by the administration of tamoxifen simultaneous with gonadotropin treatment, which caused a partial inhibition of the hydroxylase activity. Both estradiol and 3-methyl-cholanthrene (MC) increased DMBA hydroxylase but the effects of these agents were not additive. In contrast, the effects of estradiol and MC were partially additive to that of gonadotropin. On the basis of these results, it is proposed that the rat ovary contains one or several aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylases located in the granulosa/theca cells which are regulated by estrogens, MC and beta-naphthoflavone (BNF) and that the role of gonadotropins is to proliferate granulosa/theca cells.     

Cell-specific metabolic activation of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene in rat testis

The binding of metabolites of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) to protein in rat testis seminiferous tubules was studied. Treatment of cultured seminiferous tubule segments with DMBA resulted in very little binding to protein, suggesting that the seminiferous epithelium from rat testis lacks the cytochrome P-450-dependent monooxygenase(s) required for DMBA metabolism. In contrast, Leydig cells from rat testis contain monooxygenase systems which catalyze the metabolism of PAH, such as DMBA. This metabolic activation of DMBA was localized in both mitochondria and microsomes derived from Leydig cells and was decreased by inhibitors of the cytochrome P-450 system and by free radical scavengers, suggesting that the metabolism involved both cytochrome P-450 and free radical-dependent pathways. In the presence of whole Leydig cells or microsomes prepared from Leydig cells, the covalent binding of DMBA metabolites to protein of rat testis seminiferous tubules was increased 5- and 13-fold, respectively. These results suggest that DMBA is metabolized primarily in rat testis Leydig cells and that part of the produced metabolites find their way to the seminiferous epithelium, where they undergo further metabolism producing reactive metabolites, possibly cation radicals and diolepoxides, which interfere with the functions of spermatogonia and spermatocytes by modifying key proteins covalently.     

The formation of dihydrodiols by the chemical or enzymic oxidation of benz[a] anthracene and 7,12-dimethylbenz[a] anthracene.

When benz[a] anthracene was oxidised in a reaction mixture containing ascorbic acid, ferrous sulphate and EDTA, the non-K-region dihydrodiols, trans-1,2-dihydro-1,2-dihydroxybenz[a] anthracene and trans-3,4-dihydro-3,4-dihydroxybenz[a] anthracene together with small amounts of the 8,9- and 10,11-dihydrodiols were formed. When oxidised in a similar system, 7,12-dimethylbenz[a] anthracene yielded the K-region dihydrodiol, trans-5,6-dihydro-5,6-dihydroxy-7,12-dimethylbenz[a] anthracene and the non-K-region dihydrodiols, trans-3,4-dihydro-3,4-dihydroxy-7,12-dimethylbenz[a] anthracene, trans-8,9-dihydro-8,9-dihydroxy-7,12-dimethylbenz[a] anthracene, trans-10,11-dihydro-10,11-dihydroxy-7,12-dimethylbenz[a] anthracene and a trace of the 1,2-dihydrodiol. The structures and sterochemistry of the dihydrodiols were established by comparisons of their UV spectra and chromatographic characteristics using HPLC with those of authentic compounds or, when no authentic compounds were available, by UV, NMR and mass spectral analysis. An examination by HPLC of the dihydrodiols formed in the metabolism, by rat-liver microsomal fractions, of benz[a] anthracene and 7,12-dimethylbenz[a] anthracene was carried out. The metabolic dihydriols were identified by comparisons of their chromatographic and UV or fluorescence spectral characteristics with compounds of known structures. The principle metabolic dihydriols formed from both benz[a] anthracene and 7,12-dimethylbenz[a] anthracene were the trans-5,6- and trans-8,9-dihydrodiols. The 1,2- and 10,11-dihydrodiols were identified as minor products of the metabolism of benz [a] anthracene and the tentative identification of the trans-3,4-dihydriol as a metabolite was made from fluorescence and chromatographic data. The minor metabolic dihydriols formed from 7,12-dimethylbenz[a] anthracene were the trans-3,4-dihydrodiol and the trans-10,11-dihydriol but the trans-1,2-dihydrodiol was not detected in the present study.     

Intercalative DNA binding of model compounds derived from metabolites of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene

The DNA binding of nonreactive model compounds of metabolites of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]-anthracene (DMBA)1 was studied in fluorescence quenching and fluorescence lifetime experiments. The model compounds examined were DMA and 8,9,10,11-tetrahydro-BA. DMA is a pi electron model of a highly carcinogenic bay region epoxide of DMBA, 8,9,10,11-tetrahydro-BA is a model compound of a less carcinogenic DMBA epoxide. The results indicate that the binding of DMA occurs primarily via intercalation. In 15% methanol the binding constant is 3.1 x 10(3) M-1. In 15% methanol and at DNA phosphate levels of 5.0 x 10(-4) M the intercalative binding of DMA is reduced by a factor of 6.2 when 5.0 x 10(-4) M Mg+2 is added. The DMA binding constant for intercalation is reduced by more than a factor of 4 when the methanol content of the solvent is increased from 0% to 20%. Finally DMA binding arising from pi interactions with the DNA bases is reduced more than 15 times when the DNA is denatured. For 8,9,10,11-tetrahydro-BA in 15% methanol the binding constant for intercalation is 6 times lower than that for DMA. These results along with previously reported binding data on other model compounds suggest that bay region metabolites of DMBA readily participate in physical pi stacking interactions with DNA.     

Absolute stereochemistry of the trans-dihydrodiols formed from benzo[a]anthracene by liver microsomes.

Through application of the exciton chirality method, absolute stereochemistry has been assigned to the (+)-and (-)-enantiomers of four of the five metabolically possible trans-dihydrodiols of the polycyclic hydrocarbon benzo[a]anthracene (BA). The (+)- and (-)-enantiomers of each of these dihydrodiols can be separated as their diastereomeric bis-esters with (-)-alpha-methoxy-alpha-trifluoromethylphenylacetic acid by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). BA 3,4-, 5,6-, 8,9- and 10,11-dihydrodiol are formed in 38%, 36%, 78% and 66% enantiometric purity, respectively, by liver microsomes from phenobarbital-treated rats, whereas the liver microsomes from 3-methylcholanthrene(MC)-treated rats form BA 5,6-, 8,9- and 10,11-dihydrodiols with higher optical purity (62%, 96% and 96%, respectively). BA 3,4-dihydrodiol is formed from (+/-)-BA 3,4-oxide by microsomal epoxide hydrase in very high enantiometric purity (78%). The major enantiomer of the BA dihydrodiols formed by liver enzymes has R,R absolute stereochemistry in each case. In parallel with previous studies on the metabolism of benzo[a]pyrene, the more tumorigenic (-)-enantiomer is the predominant isomer of BA 3,4-dihydrodiol formed by liver microsomes from BA.     

Metabolic activation of the carcinogen 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene for DNA binding.

Isolation of hydrocarbon-deoxyribonucleoside products from the DNA of mouse embryo cells exposed to 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene permits both fluorescence excitation and emission spectra to be recorded. Comparison of these spectra with those of various model compounds indicates that 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene, one of the most potent of the hydrocarbon carcinogens, is metabolically activated for DNA binding through the generation of a diol-oxide in the 1,2,3,4-ring.     

Regio- and stereoselective metabolism of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene by Mycobacterium vanbaalenii PYR-1

The degradation of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA), a carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, by cultures of Mycobacterium vanbaalenii PYR-1 was studied. When M. vanbaalenii PYR-1 was grown in the presence of DMBA for 136 h, high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis showed the presence of four ethyl acetate-extractable compounds and unutilized substrate. Characterization of the metabolites by mass and nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry indicated initial attack at the C-5 and C-6 positions and on the methyl group attached to C-7 of DMBA. The metabolites were identified as cis-5,6-dihydro-5,6-dihydroxy-7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA cis-5,6-dihydrodiol), trans-5,6-dihydro-5,6-dihydroxy-7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA trans-5,6-dihydrodiol), and 7-hydroxymethyl-12-methylbenz[a]anthracene, suggesting dioxygenation and monooxygenation reactions. Chiral stationary-phase HPLC analysis of the dihydrodiols showed that DMBA cis-5,6-dihydrodiol had 95% 5S,6R and 5% 5R,6S absolute stereochemistry. On the other hand, the DMBA trans-5,6-dihydrodiol was a 100% 5S,6S enantiomer. A minor photooxidation product, 7,12-epidioxy-7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene, was also formed. The results demonstrate that M. vanbaalenii PYR-1 is highly regio- and stereoselective in the degradation of DMBA.     

Metabolism of polycyclic compounds. The metabolism of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene by rat-liver homogenates

1. The main products of the metabolism of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene by rat-liver homogenates are the isomeric monohydroxymethyl derivatives. The syntheses of these compounds are described. 2. Two phenolic products and two dihydrodihydroxy compounds were formed, but none of these appeared to have been formed by hydroxylation at the `K region''. There was little evidence for the formation of a glutathione conjugate of the hydrocarbon. 3. The monohydroxymethyl derivatives are products of the hydroxylation of the hydrocarbon in the ascorbic acid–Fe²⁺–oxygen model hydroxylating system.