Iron-chlorophyllin-mediated conversion of 3-hydroxyamino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2(NHOH)) into its nitroso derivative

Early work from our laboratory has shown that the mutagenicity of heterocyclic amines in Salmonella can be inhibited by hemin and chlorophyllins. We have speculated that the inhibition is a result of complex formation between heterocyclic amines and the pigments, and the speculation has been given a line of experimental evidence. We have now found that ferric-chlorophyllin (Fe-chlorophyllin) can modify the mutagenicity of 3-hydroxyamino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2(NHOH)), a metabolically activated form of 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2). The mutagenicity of Trp-P-2(NHOH)) in Salmonella typhimurium TA 98 (without S9) was strongly inhibited by an addition of an equimolar Fe-chlorophyllin in the pre-incubation mixture. Fe-chlorophyllin also inhibited the mutagenicity of 2-hydroxyamino-6-methyldipyrido[1,2-a:3′,2′-d] imidazole (Glu-P-1(NHOH)). A rapid change in the UV spectrum of a mixture of Trp-P-2(NHOH) and Fe-chlorophyllin was observed. Analysis by high performance liquid chromatography showed that Trp-P-2(NHOH) was converted into 3-nitroso-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2(NO)), the mutagenic potency of which is a quarter of that of Trp-P-2(NHOH). Furthermore, the mutagenicity of Trp-P-2(NO), in turn, was inhibited by Fe-chlorophyllin. We conclude that the suppression of the mutagenicity of Trp-P-2(NHOH) is ascribable to the oxidative function of Fe-chlorophyllin, coupled with its ability to form complex formation with the planar surface of the heterocyclic amine molecules.     

Role of hemin in the inhibition of mutagenic activity of 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2) and other aminoazaarenes

The mechanism of inhibition by hemin of the mutagenic activities of food pyrolysate aminoazaarenes, particularly that of Trp-P-2 (3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole), was investigated. Hemin efficiently inhibited the metabolic activation by S9 of Trp-P-2, as demonstrated by high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of the reaction mixtures in which Trp-P-2 had been treated with S9 in the presence or absence of hemin. N-Hydroxy-Trp-P-2, an activated form of Trp-P-2 having direct mutagenicity on Salmonella typhimurium TA98, undergoes spontaneous oxidative degradation in its aqueous solution, and the presence of hemin in the solution accelerated the degradation significantly. The presence of excess hemin with N-hydroxy-Trp-P-2 completely abolished the mutagenic activity of this mutagen towards Salmonella. A UV-visible spectroscopic study has suggested the formation of a complex between hemin and N-hydroxy-Trp-P-2/Trp-P-2. In support of this view, the fluorescence spectrum of a Trp-P-2 solution was quenched efficiently by the addition of hemin. These observations indicate that this complex formation plays a role in the observed multiple actions of hemin. Similar inhibitory actions of hemin on several other direct-acting aminoazaarene mutagens are also described, as well as the inhibition activities of protoporphyrin, chlorophyllin, biliverdin and bilirubin.     

Cytochrome P4501A1-inhibitory action of antimutagenic anthraquinones in medicinal plants and the structure-activity relationship

We have earlier found that flavones and flavonols in vegetables specifically inhibited one of the carcinogenesis-related enzymes, cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1, and subsequently suppressed the mutagenicity of food-derived carcinogens. In this study, we explored other candidates for the enzyme inhibitor in Chinese medicinal plants. Some of them were antimutagenic toward 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2). For example, Rheum officinale contained large amounts of anthraquinones as the active compounds, 3.4 mg of emodin, 2.1 mg of chrysophanol and 1.8 mg of rhein in 10 g of dry matter. Anthraquinones showed similar IC50 values for antimutagenicity against Trp-P-2 to those for inhibition of the N-hydroxylation activity of CYP1A1 toward Trp-P-2, indicating that the antimutagenicity was attributable to CYP inhibition. The structure-activity relationships were then examined with 14 commercial chemicals, and it was found that the interaction with an enzyme required three rings and an oxygen group in the side ring. This characteristic is similar to that of flavones and flavonols.     

A simple and rapid method for analyzing the Monascus pigment-mediated degradation of mutagenic 3-hydroxyamino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole by in-capillary micellar electrokinetic chromatography.

A simple and rapid method is described for analyzing the Monascus pigment-mediated degradation of 3-hydroxyamino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4, 3-b]indole (Trp-P-2(NHOH)). We used the in-capillary micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC). During the electrophoresis, the mutagen and the pigment, due to their different migration velocities, mix for a certain period of time to interact, and then they are separated and quantified. Using this technique, we were able to demonstrate that Trp-P-2(NHOH) is degraded by the pigment. The degradation was pigment-dose dependent, and because the pigment was recovered unchanged, it was deduced that the pigment acted catalytically for the degradation. The entire MEKC procedure takes 8 min.     

Mutagenicities of nitrosated carboline derivatives

Food-borne amines have been considered as the potential precursors of endogenous carcinogenic N-nitroso compounds in humans. A compound which yields a direct mutagen after nitrite treatment was isolated from soy sauce and was identified as 1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2-carboline-3-carboxylic acid (MTCA) (Wakabayashi, et al., 1983). The mutagenicities of other carboline derivatives such as harman, norharman, harmaline, harmalol, harmine, and harmol were studied. Like MTCA, the nitrosated carboline derivatives showed higher mutagenic activity as compared to their corresponding parent compounds. The demethylated analogue of MTCA, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2-carboline-3-carboxylic acid was synthesized and its nitrosated products were shown to be mutagenic to Salmonella typhimurium TA 100 and TA 98. The potent mutagen Trp-P-2 is a typical 3-carboline derivative. The mutagenicity of Trp-P-2 was suppressed remarkably after nitrosation. Several 3-carboline derivatives also showed the similar property. Nitrosation of MTCA gave several derivatives which were isolated and showed direct mutagenicity to Salmonella typhimurium TA 98. Further characterization of these new carboline derivatives is in progress.     

Modified metabolism of a carcinogen, 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2), by liver S9 from Schistosoma japonicum-infected mice.

Schistosoma japonicum infection has been associated with an increased incidence of liver and colorectal cancers in humans. To explore the mechanisms underlying this association, we investigated the carcinogen-metabolizing properties of liver S9 preparations from S. japonicum-infected mice and compared them with those of S9 from uninfected animals. When the carcinogen 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2) was incubated with these S9s and the products were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography, we observed that the S9 from infected mice had a lower ability to convert Trp-P-2 into 3-hydroxyamino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2(NHOH)), an activated form of promutagenic Trp-P-2, than the S9 from uninfected mice. We found that both of these S9 preparations have a high ability to reduce Trp-P-2(NHOH) into Trp-P-2; however, the infected-mouse S9 showed a significantly greater reducing power than the control S9. This difference appears to be responsible for the observed lower mutagen-activating potential of the infected mouse S9. These results suggest that hepatic enzyme activities of S. japonicum-infected mice are quantitatively different from those of normal mice.     

Effects of exposure to diesel exhaust particles (DEP) on pulmonary metabolic activation of mutagenic agents

Exposure of rats to diesel exhaust particles (DEP) or carbon black (CB) has been shown to induce time-dependent changes in CYP1A1and CYP2B1 in the lung. The present study evaluated the role of these metabolic enzymes on the pulmonary bioactivation of mutagens. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were intratracheally instilled with saline (control), DEP or CB (35 mg/kg body weight) and sacrificed at 1, 3, or 7 days post-exposure. Both control and exposed lung S9 increased the mutagenic activity of 2-aminoanthracene (2-AA), 2-aminofluorene (2-AF), 1-nitropyrene (1-NP), and the organic extract of DEP (DEPE) in Ames tests with Salmonella typhimurium YG1024 in a dose-dependent manner. Lung microsomes prepared form control or particle-exposed S9, but not cytosolic protein, activated 2-AA mutagenicity. Compared to saline controls, CB-exposed S9 was a less potent inducer of 2-AA mutagenicity at all time points, whereas DEP-exposed S9 was less potent than control saline at 3 and 7 days but not 1 day post-exposure. At 3 days post-exposure, DEP- or CB-exposed lung S9 did not significantly affect the mutagenicity of DEPE or 1-NP, when compared to the controls. The mutgenicity of 2-AA, 2-AF, 1-NP, and DEPE were significantly decreased in the presence of inhibitors for CYP1A1 (alpha-naphthoflavone) or CYP2B (metyrapone), but markedly enhanced by CYP1A1 or CYP2B1 supersomes with all the cofactors, suggesting that both CYP1A1 and CYP2B1 were responsible for mutagen activation. These results demonstrated that exposure of rats to DEP or CB altered metabolic activity of lung S9 and S9 metabolic activity dependent mutagen activation. The bioactivation of mutagens are metabolic enzyme- and substrate-specific, and both CYP1A1 and CYP2B1 play important roles in pulmonary mutagen activation.     

A chick neural retina adhesion and survival molecule is a retinol- binding protein

A 20,000-D protein called purpurin has recently been isolated from the growth-conditioned medium of cultured embryonic chick neural retina cells (Schubert, D., and M. LaCorbiere, 1985, J. Cell Biol., 101:1071-1077). Purpurin is a constituent of adherons and promotes cell-adheron adhesion by interacting with a cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycan. It also prolongs the survival of cultured neural retina cells. This paper shows that purpurin is a secretory protein that has sequence homology with a human protein synthesized in the liver that transports retinol in the blood, the serum retinol-binding protein (RBP). Purpurin binds [3H]retinol, and both purpurin and chick serum RBP stimulate the adhesion of neural retina cells, although the serum protein is less active than purpurin. Purpurin and the serum RBP are, however, different molecules, for the serum protein is approximately 3,000 D larger than purpurin and has different silver-staining characteristics. Finally, purpurin supports the survival of dissociated ciliary ganglion cells, indicating that RBPs can act as ciliary neurotrophic factors.     

Sequence analysis, cellular localization, and expression of a neuroretina adhesion and cell survival molecule

A cDNA for purpurin, a secreted 20,000 dalton neural retina cell adhesion and survival protein, has been sequenced and expressed in mammalian cells. Purpurin mRNA is found in both embryonic and adult retina, but not the brain, heart, or liver. The protein is highly concentrated in the neural retina between the pigmented epithelium and the outer segments of the photoreceptor cells; it is synthesized by photoreceptor cells. The predicted purpurin sequence contains 196 residues, has approximately 50% sequence homology with serum retinol binding protein, and is a member of the alpha-2 mu-globulin superfamily. Purpurin binds retinol and may play a major role in retinol transport across the interphotoreceptor cell matrix.     

Effect of glutathione and uridine-5'-diphosphoglucuronic acid on the mutagenicity of tryptophan pyrolysis products (Trp-P-1 and Trp-P-2) by rat-liver and -intestine S9 fraction

In the Ames test, after the addition of glutathione (GSH) or uridine-5'-diphosphoglucuronic acid (UD-PGA), we observed for Trp-P-1 an unchanged or a reduced mutagenicity by both the liver and intestine S9 fraction. For Trp-P-2, the same was true when we used the intestine S9 fraction. In the presence of liver S9 fraction, Trp-P-2 mutagenicity was also decreased by the addition of UDPGA but was increased by the addition of GSH. These results show that cofactors for glucuronide and GSH conjugation may alter the metabolic activation of Trp-P-1 and Trp-P-2 and consequently their mutagenicity.     

A desmutagenic factor isolated from burdock (Arctium lappa Linne)

A desmutagenic factor was isolated from burdock (Arctium lappa Linne). This factor reduced the mutagenicity of mutagens that are active without metabolic activation, such as 4-NO2-1,2-DAB and 2-NO2-1,4-DAB, as well as mutagens such as ethidium bromide, 2-aminoanthracene, Trp-P-1 and Trp-P-2 requiring S9 for metabolic activation. It is resistant to heat and proteolytic enzymes and sensitive to treatment with MnCl2. The partially purified principles had a molecular weight higher than 300 000 and showed characteristics of a polyanionic substance. An irreversible diminution of the mutagen was confirmed by treatment of 2-NO2-1,4-DAB or Trp-P-2 with the burdock factor.     

Inhibition of mutagenicity of food-derived heterocyclic amines by sulforaphane--a constituent of broccoli

Sulforaphane, a constituent of broccoli was investigated for its antimutagenic potential against different classes of cooked food mutagens (heterocyclic amines). These include imidazoazaarenes such as 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ), 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (MeIQ), 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx) and 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP); pyridoindole derivatives such as 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); and, dipyridoimidazole derivative such as 2-amino-6-methyldipyrido[1,2-a:3',2'-d]imidazole (Glu-P-1). Tests were carried out by Ames Salmonella/reversion assay using Salmonella typhimurium TA98 (frame shift mutation sensitive) and TA100 (base pair mutation sensitive) bacterial strains in the presence of Aroclor 1254-induced rat liver S9. Results of these in vitro antimutagenicity studies strongly suggest that sulforaphane is a potent inhibitor of the mutagenicity induced by imidazoazaarenes such as IQ, MeIQ and MeIQx (approximately 60% inhibition) and moderately active against pyridoindole derivatives such as Trp-P-1 and Trp-P-2 (32-48% inhibition), but ineffective against dipyridoimidazole derivative (Glu-P-1) in TA 100.     

Mutagenicity modulating effect of quercetin on aromatic amines and acetamides

The effect of quercetin on the mutagenicity of 32 kinds of aromatic amines and their acetamides were investigated using Salmonella typhimurium TA98 with a mammalian metabolic activation system (S9 mix). Quercetin enhanced the mutagenicity of the tricyclic aromatic amines (aminofluorene, aminoanthracene and aminophenanthrene) and their acetamides by 1.2-5.9-fold. Whereas, quercetin depressed the mutagenicity of aniline derivatives, biphenyl derivatives, and bi- and tetra-cyclic amino derivatives. The modulation of mutagenicity of Trp-P-1, Trp-P-2, Glu-P-1 and Glu-P-2 (heterocyclic amines) by quercetin were liable to be affected by the content of S9 in the S9 mix. It seems that quercetin does not have the same effect as norharman, because quercetin did not enhance the mutagenicity of aniline. It is suggested that the modulation of the mutagenicity of aromatic amines and acetamides is caused by the modulation of the balance between the mutagenic activation and inactivation in the metabolism of these amines and acetamides in the presence of quercetin. In this modulation, quercetin may participate through its effects on the promotion of N-hydroxylation and the inhibition of arylhydroxylation and transacylation. The presence of tricyclic aromatic rings of amines and acetamides is a structural requirement for the mutagenicity enhancement by quercetin.     

Assessment of the Mutagenicity of Sediments from Yangtze River Estuary Using Salmonella Typhimurium/Microsome Assay

Sediments in estuaries are of important environmental concern because they may act as pollution sinks and sources to the overlying water body. These sediments can be accumulated by benthic organisms. This study assessed the mutagenic potential of sediment extracts from the Yangtze River estuary by using the Ames fluctuation assay with the Salmonella typhimurium his (−) strain TA98 (frameshift mutagen indicator) and TA100 (baseshift mutagen indicator). Most of the sediment samples were mutagenic to the strain TA98, regardless of the presence or absence of exogenous metabolic activation (S9 induction by β-naphthoflavone/phenobarbital). However, none of the samples were mutagenic to the strain TA100. Thus, the mutagenicity pattern was mainly frameshift mutation, and the responsible toxicants were both direct (without S9 mix) and indirect (with S9 mix) mutagens. The mutagenicity of the sediment extracts increased when S9 was added. Chemical analysis showed a poor correlation between the content of priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and the detected mutagenicity in each sample. The concept of effect-directed analysis was used to analyze possible compounds responsible for the detected mutagenic effects. With regard to the mutagenicity of sediment fractions, non-polar compounds as well as weakly and moderately polar compounds played a main role. Further investigations should be conducted to identify the responsible components.     

Comparative genotoxic effects of the cooked-food-related mutagens Trp-P-2 and IQ in bacteria and cultured mammalian cells

As part of a major study to evaluate the mutagenicity of chemicals produced during the cooking of foods, we examined the responses of bacteria and cultured Chinese hamster cells to the compounds Trp-P-2 (3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole) and IQ (2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline), constituents identified in cooked beef and fish. In the Ames/Salmonella tester strain TA1538, both compounds were confirmed to be extremely potent mutagens that were active at levels below 1 ng/plate in the presence of hamster-liver S9 microsomal fraction. 50-fold higher doses of both compounds were required for mutagenicity in the uvr+ tester strain TA1978. Trp-P-2 also behaved as a strong mutagen in CHO cells using the standard exogenous activation with hamster-liver S9 fraction. At concentrations below 1 microgram/ml it produced dose-dependent increases in cell killing, mutations at the hprt and aprt loci, sister-chromatid exchanges, and chromosomal aberrations. An excision-repair-deficient strain was about 2-fold more sensitive than the normal CHO cells with respect to these genotoxic effects of Trp-P-2. IQ had unexpectedly weak activity for all genetic endpoints in the CHO cells, and it produced clear-cut responses only in the repair-deficient cells and only above a concentration of 10 micrograms/ml. The toxicity that was observed with IQ was not affected by the repair capacity of the cells and was not associated with chromosomal aberrations, indicating that damage to cellular structures other than nuclear DNA was likely the predominant pathway for cell killing. Because the culture conditions normally used for CHO cell exposure were shown to be competent in producing bacterial mutagenicity with IQ, it was concluded that the active metabolite of IQ was present in the medium but was somehow ineffective in reaching the DNA of CHO cells and/or reacting with it. These results suggest that the relative mutagenic potency of compounds in Salmonella may bear no direct relationship to relative mutagenicity in CHO cells, emphasizing precaution in attempting to extrapolate microbial data to mammalian somatic cells. This study illustrates the use and merits of a multi-endpoint assay for genetic damage in CHO cells, the utility of using CHO cells that are defective in excision repair of DNA, and the importance of comparative testing between bacterial and mammalian systems.     

Possibility of the involvement of 9H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole (norharman) in carcinogenesis via inhibition of cytochrome P450-related activities and intercalation to DNA

This study investigated the inhibitory effect of 9H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole (norharman), one of the naturally occurring beta-carbolines, on cytochrome P450 (CYP)-related activities and the relationship between its inhibitory effect, its intercalation to DNA, and its comutagenic effect. Norharman reduced the mutagenicities of heterocyclic amines (HCAs) containing 2-amino-6-methyldipyrido[1,2-a:3',2'-d]imidazole (Glu-P-1), aflatoxin B1, benzo[a]pyrene (BP), and some nitrosamines in the presence of 10 microl liver S9 (20.9 microg protein/ml) from polychlorinated biphenyl-treated rats. Norharman inhibited microsomal CYP-related enzyme activities and CO-binding to the CYP heme (50% inhibitory concentration (IC50), 0.07-6.4 microg/ml). It also inhibited the formation of 3-hydroxyamino-6-methyldipyrido[1,2-a:3',2'-d]imidazole (N-OH-Glu-P-1) and was a noncompetitive-inhibitor of CYP1A-related activities, while it enhanced the direct mutagenicity of N-OH-Glu-P-1 (50% effective concentration, 25.0 microg/ml) and inhibited topo I activity (IC50, 31.0 microg/ml). In the presence of norharman, S9 up to 100 microl incrementally enhanced the mutagenicities of HCAs, BP and dimethylnitrosamine. These data clarified that norharman acts as an inhibitor of the CYP-mediated biotransformation of Glu-P-1 via inhibition of O2-binding to CYP heme, and its inhibition of CYP enzymes occurs at much lower concentration than that for its intercalation to DNA. It is indicated that norharman's inhibitory effect on CYP results in the inhibition of excess metabolism by S9 and this is more likely the mechanism for comutagenic action than the intercalation. Norharman's inhibition of CYP and its enhancement of the N-OH-Glu-P-1 mutagenicity suggest that beta-carbolines modulate chemical carcinogenesis by controlling the xenobiotic metabolism and by intercalating to DNA.     

Antigenotoxic properties of Cassia tea (Cassia tora L.): mechanism of action and the influence of roasting process

Antigenotoxic properties and the possible mechanisms of water extracts from Cassia tora L. (WECT) treated with different degrees of roasting (unroasted and roasted at 150 and 250 degrees C) were evaluated by the Ames Salmonella/microsome test and the Comet assay. Results indicated that WECT, especially unroasted C. tora (WEUCT), markedly suppressed the mutagenicity of 2-amino-6-methyldipyrido(1,2-a:3':2'-d)imidazole (Glu-P-1) and 3-amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido(4,3-b)indole (Trp-P-1). In the Comet assay performed on human lymphocytes, WECT exhibited significant protective effect on Trp-P-1-mediated DNA damage followed the order of unroasted (55%) > roasted at 150 degrees C (42% ) > roasted at 250 degrees C (29%). Pre-treatment of the lymphocytes with WEUCT resulted in 30% repression of DNA damage. However, no significant effect on excision-repair system was found during DNA damage expression time in post-treatment scheme (p>0.05). WEUCT showed 84% scavenging effect on oxygen free radicals generated in the activation process of mutagen detected by electron paramagentic resonance system. Two possible mechanisms were considered: (1) neutralization the reactive intermediate of Trp-P-1; and (2) protecting cells directly as an antioxidant that scavenge the oxygen radicals from the activation process of mutagen. The individual anthraquinone content in extracts of C. tora was measured by HPLC. Three anthraquinones, chrysophanol, emodin and rhein, have been detected under experimental conditions. The anthraquinone content decreased with increased roasting temperature. Each of these anthraquinones demonstrated significant antigenotoxicity against Trp-P-1 in the Comet assay. In conclusion, our data suggest that the decrease in antigenotoxic potency of roasted C. tora was related to the reduction in their anthraquinones.     

Binding of mutagenic pyrolyzates to fractions of intestinal bacterial cells.

The binding of mutagenic pyrolyzates to cell fractions from some gram-negative intestinal bacteria and to thermally treated bacterial cells was investigated. 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 effectively bound by several of the bacterial cells. The cell wall skeletons of all bacteria effectively bound Trp-P-1 and Trp-P-2. Their cytoplasmic fractions retained Trp-P-1 and Trp-P-2, but to a lesser extent than the cell wall skeletons. 2-Amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ) was not found in their cytoplasmic fractions. These cell wall skeletons also bound 2-amino-6-methyldipyrido[1,2-a:3',2'-d]imidazole (Glu-P-1), 2-amino-5-phenylpyridine (Phe-P-1), IQ, 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (MeIQ), and 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQX). The amount of each mutagen bound differed with the type of mutagen and the bacterial strain used. The outer membrane of Escherichia coli IFO 14249 showed binding of about 123.7 micrograms/mg of Trp-P-2, and its cytoplasmic membrane bound 57.14 micrograms/mg. Trp-P-2 bound to the bacterial cells was extracted with ammonia (5%), methanol, and ethanol but not with water.     

Interaction with microsomal lipid as a major factor responsible for S9-mediated inhibition of 1,8-dinitropyrene mutagenicity

1,8-Dinitropyrene (1,8-DNP), present in polluted air, is a rodent carcinogen and a potent, direct-acting mutagen in salmonella typhimurium TA98. This mutagenicity is markedly reduced in the presence of mammalian hepatic S9 or microsomes. We demonstrate that at least a substantial part of this effect is attributable to non-enzymatic processes. The microsomal-dependent inhibition was unaffected by omission of an NADPH-generating system or when the cytochrome P-450 inhibitor, SKF-525A, or the cytochrome P-448 inhibitor, ellipticine, was incorporated in the metabolic activation system, suggesting that mixed function oxidases are not involved. Heat inactivation partially decreased the ability of induced S9 to reduce DNP mutagenicity. Substitution of S9 with a similar concentration of bovine serum albumin did not affect DNP activity. Thus non-specific binding to microsomal protein is not involved. However, when lipids, derived from uninduced microsomes, were added to incubations of DNP and S. typhimurium TA98, mutagenicity was decreased. Furthermore, substitution of microsomal lipids with a suspension of phosphatidylcholine (PC), a major lipid constituent of microsomes, affected DNP mutagenicity similarly. An increase in PC concentration resulted in a greater inhibitory effect. The reduction in DNP mutagenicity observed with microsomal lipids or with PC was less than that detected with uninduced S9, whilst the mutagenicity of 2-nitrofluorene was reduced to an approximately equal extent by lipids and S9. This phenomenon may be responsible for the S9-mediated detoxification of other mutagenic nitroaromatic compounds and may have important implications for mutagenicity testing.