Mutagenicity of BCNU and related chloroethylnitrosoureas in Drosophila.

BCNU and 10 related chloroethylnitrosoureas were tested for their ability to induce sex-linked recessive lethals in Drosophila spermatozoa. All chloroethylnitrosoureas tested were potent mutagens. Among the substances with one chloroethylnitrosourea group, chlorozotocin, BCNU and methanesulfonyloxyethyl chloroethylnitrosourea exhibited the strongest mutagenic effects. Two hydroxyalkyl chloroethylnitrosoureas behaved as potent mutagens too, although the mutation frequencies obtained were one order of magnitude lower relative to the other substances. Among the compounds with two chloroethylnitrosourea groups, bisCNU-ethane and bisCNU-diphenylmethane were most active. When the interconnecting polymethylene chain was elongated from 2 methylene groups (bisCNU-ethane) to 6 methylene groups (bisCNU-hexane), the mutagenic activity decreased by a factor of 2. The mutagenic activity of polymethylene bischloroethylnitrosoureas with connecting chains of intermediate length was not different from bisCNU-hexane. Differences in mutagenic activity were supposed to reflect different concentrations reaching the target cells, possibly in part as a result of differences in transportability of the substances.     

Influence of glutathione on the mutagenicity of 2-chloroethylnitrosoureas. Mutagenic potential of glutathione derivatives formed from 2-chloroethylnitrosoureas and glutathione

2-Chloroethylnitrosoureas (CNU) are antineoplastic agents whose therapeutic dose is limited by toxic and carcinogenic side effect. The clinically used drugs, bis-(2-chloroethyl)nitrosourea (BCNU) and 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-nitrosourea (HECNU) and their analogue N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-nitrosocarbamoyl-glycinamide (CNC-GA) were tested for mutagenicity and toxicity in the Salmonella typhimurium tester strain TA1535 in the presence and absence of glutathione (GSH). All 3 compounds proved to be potent mutagens. The cytotoxicity of these CNUs, however, varied depending on their carbamoylating activity. These cytotoxic effects were decreased considerably by the addition of GSH. It has been shown that the isocyanate decomposition product of the 2-chloroethylnitrosoureas reacts with GSH yielding S-carbamoylated GSH derivatives. The adducts resulting from coincubation of BCNU or HECNU with GSH, 2-chloroethyl-S-carbamoyl-GSH and 2-hydroxy-S-carbamoyl-GSH, were also tested for their mutagenic activity. While the hydroxyethylated compound exhibited no effects, 2-chloroethyl-S-carbamoyl-GSH and its cysteine analogue, 2-chloroethyl-S-carbamoyl-GSH, were strong mutagens. Further experiments with 3-chloropropyl-S-carbamoyl-GSH and t-butyl-S-carbamoyl-GSH indicate that a chlorine substituent in the beta position is necessary for the induction of a potent mutagenic response.     

Mutagenic activity of amino acid pyrolyzates in Salmonella typhimurium TA 98.

Pyrolyzates of 25 amino acids and 5 indole derivatives were tested for mutagenicity in the histidine-requiring mutant Salmonella typhimurium TA 98. Significant mutagenic activity was detected with pyrolyzates of most of the amino acids. These pyrolyzates required a liver microsomal fraction, as representative of mammalian metabolism, to be detected as mutagens. Among the pyrolyzates tested, the highest mutagenic activity was observed with that of L-tryptophan. As little as 10 microgram of the pyrolyzate of L-tryptophan had detectable mutagenic activity toward TA 98. The optimal pyrolysis temperatures for the formation of mutagenic products were shown to be 500 degrees C for L-tryptophan and 600 degrees C for the other amino acids. The results from pyrolyses of some indole derivatives suggest that an amino group at the alpha-position to the carboxyl group of L-tryptophan plays an important role in the formation of mutagens.     

Mutagenicities of the pyrolyzates of peptides and proteins.

Pyrolyzates of 10 peptides, 10 proteins and 5 naturally-occurring materials were tested for mutagenicity in the histidine-requiring mutants Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100. Significant mutagenic activity was detected with pyrolyzates of most of these materials. The pyrolyzates requred a liver microsomal fraction, as representative of mammalian metabolism, for their detection as mutagens. Among the pyrolyzates tested, the highest mutagenic activity was observed with that of a tryptophan-containing peptide. The pyrolyzate of protein obtained from tobacco leaf also showed mutagenicity. The higher the protein content in the leaf the higher the mutagenic activity of the pyrolyzate. Protein in a tobacco leaf may be the principal precursor of mutagens in tobacco-smoke condensate.     

Mutagenic activities of ten imidazole derivatives in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salmonella typhimurium</Emphasis>

Ten imidazole derivatives were tested for mutagenicity in Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98 and TA100 both in the absence and presence of metabolic activation by the microsomal fraction S9 mix. In a general manner, derivatives tested exhibited a greater mutagenic activity in the TA100 strain comparing to the responses in TA 98. In the standard plate incorporation assay, 8 of these substances (80%) were found to be mutagenic for at least one of the two strains in the presence or absence of metabolic activation. Two compounds showed positive results in TA98 and 6 compounds were also mutagenic in TA100 without S9. In the presence of S9 mix, all of the 10 substances were non-mutagenic in TA98, whereas 4 compounds were positive in TA100. The results suggested the mutagenic potentials of the imidazole derivatives particularly inducing the reversion of base-pair substitutions. According to the structure-activity relationships phenyl groups in position 2 with different substituents can confer the mutagenic activity of the tested compounds. Methyl groups in different positions of these phenyl substituents can cause different types of mutations. This mutagenic effect is observed more clearly when the phenyl group is inhibited with a nitro group.     

Inducers of erythroleukemic differentiation. Relationship of structure to activity among planar-polar compounds.

Hexamethylenebisacetamide is a potent inducer of erythroid differentiation in murine erythroleukemia cells. A series of chemical compounds structurally related to hexamethylenebisacetamide were tested for inducing activity including polymethylene chains terminally substituted with various combinations of carboxylate, amino, amide, or sulfoxide groups. Effective "dimerization" of dimethyl sulfoxide through a linear polymethylene chain increases its inducing activity by a magnitude similar to that observed when N-methylacetamide is effectively dimerized in such a manner. It was found that all potent inducing agents possess both a hydrophilic and hydrophobic portion of the molecule, as well as a planar portion. All are Lewis bases, possessing a free electron pair available for hydrogen bonding. The polymethylene chain joining functional groups must be flexible and must be 5 to 6 carbon atoms in length to achieve maximal activity. Introduction of triple or double (cis or trans) bonds into the polymethylene chain does not alter activity.     

Mutagenicity of anti-cancer nitrobenzofuroxans.

Anti-leukaemically active benzofuroxans were tested for mutagenicity in Salmonella typhimurium. Mutagenicity was not found to be correlated to the previously established anti-leukaemic activity. One anti-leukaemically inactive compound after exposure to liver microsomal enzymes proved the most mutagenic of the derivatives for TA100, whereas after similar treatment, the mutagenicity of the most potent anti-leukaemic compound was reduced. All twelve derivatives tested were mutagenic in a base-substitution strain which was defective in excision-repair and also carried a plasmid-linked repair deficiency. Mutagenicity of five dervatives was undetectable in strains proficient for one or the other of the above repair pathways. Nine of the benzofuroxans could also be detected as mutagens in the frameshift tester strain TA98.     

Intrasanguine host-mediated assay with Salmonella typhimurium.

A host-mediated assay in the mouse was tested, in which strains of S. typhimurium (TA 98, TA 1535) were used as indicator organisms and administered intrasanguinally. The bacterial suspension was injected intravenously at a cell density of 10¹¹/ml in a volume of 0.2 ml. The test substances were administered three times at intervals of one hour, orally, intraperitoneally or subcutaneously, the last dose being given immediately before the injection of the indicator organisms. The bacteria were re-isolated one hour later from the liver, and the total bacterial counts and mutation rates were determined. The mutagenic activity of the substances was assessed by reference to the quotients of the mutation rates in the various dosage groups over the control rate. The compounds tested were diethylnitrosamine, cyclophosphamide, dimethylaminoazobenzene, thiotepa and EMS.The bacterial recovery rates in the controls and treated groups ranged from 2.72 to 23.5%, which proved entirely adequate. All the known mutagens tested caused a measurable mutagenic effect in this assay.Comparison of the results with already published data reveals that the intrasanguine host-mediated assay is more sensitive than the intraperitoneal assay system, and that the chosen strains of S. typhimurium are well suited for this method.     

Occurrence, identification, and bacterial mutagenicity of heterocyclic amines in cooked food

Potent mutagenic activity in Salmonella bacteria has been reported in cooked foods in numerous laboratories worldwide. Determining the human risk from exposure to these biologically active compounds in our diet requires genotoxic and carcinogenic evaluation of the chemicals coupled with determination of the dose consumed. Thus, knowledge of the exact structure of the mutagens present in the food and enough synthesized material for biological assessment are essential for this evaluation. To reach this goal, isolation of these compounds requires the Ames/Salmonella assay to guide the purification and identification process. Mass and NMR spectrometry are used to identify the isolated compounds. Finally, these findings are followed by synthesis of the exact isomer. The predominant class of mutagens found in cooked foods of the western diet are amino-imidazo-quinoxalines, amino-imidazo-pyridines and amino-imidazo-quinolines, collectively called amino-imidazoazaarenes (AIAs). Mass amounts of these specific compounds range from less than 1 to 70 ng/g of meat. The mutagens are formed from the heating of natural precursors (creatinine, amino acids, and possibly sugars) in the food. These AIAs are some of the most potent mutagens ever tested in Salmonella bacteria with the number and position of methyl groups having an important influence on the mutagenic activity.     

Metabolic activation of food mutagens by liver and lung enzymes from rats, pigs and oxen

Mutagenic activation of the 3 cooked food mutagens 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ), 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (MeIQ) and 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx) was compared in liver and lung enzyme preparations from oxen, pigs and rats. Liver preparations from oxen were the most efficient in activating the mutagens, while the rat enzymes were more active than those from pigs. The different cooking mutagens showed different mutagenic potential. MeIQ was the most potent mutagen, followed by IQ and MeIQx in descending order. In oxen, MeIQx was as potent as IQ. The activation with the lung enzymes was 2-3 orders of magnitude lower than with liver. Furthermore, species differences in mutagenic activation with lung enzymes were small compared with liver enzymes. In lung preparations the differences between IQ and MeIQ were small, but in all 3 animal species the mutagenicity of MeIQx was 1 order of magnitude lower than that of the other 2 mutagens.     

Fate of the food mutagen 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ) in Sprague-Dawley rats. I. Mutagens in the urine

2-Amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ) is a potent bacterial mutagen formed during cooking of beef. IQ was administered intravenously to Sprague-Dawley rats at concentrations ranging from 7.5-50 mg/kg body weight. Urine was collected and analyzed for mutagenicity. Urinary mutagens were found which required activation by S9 mix, and reverted Ames test strains TA98 and TA100, but not TA1535 or TA1537. The amount of urinary mutagen(s) were related to IQ dose administered and were excreted within 48 h. Additional mutagenic activity was not released after incubation with beta-glucuronidase or aryl sulfatase. Analysis of urinary mutagens by HPLC indicates that the majority of mutagenic activity is due to unchanged IQ, but a small peak of mutagenic activity may correspond to N-acetyl or 3-N-demethylated metabolite. Since only 1% of the administered mutagenic activity is recovered in the urine, IQ may be readily detoxified in vivo.     

The efficiency and extent of mutagenic activity of some new mutagens of base-analogue type.

N4-Hydroxycytidine, 5-methyl-N4-hydroxydeoxycytidine and 2-amino-N6-hydroxyadenine were tested for their mutagenic activity in S. typhimurium and E. coli cells. Reversion analysis of different markers was applied in a plate-test system, and 2-aminopurine was used as a reference mutagen. (i) 2-Amino-N6-hydroxyadenine was the most potent mutagen. In some cases it gave more than 1000 colonies of revertants per plate. (ii) N6-Hydroxycytidine was the least specific mutagen. Almost all the tested markers were inducible to revert by this analogue. (iii) The mutagenic specificity of 5-methyl-N4-hydroxydeoxycytidine seemed to be opposite to that of 2-aminopurine. This suggests that the former can induce transition of CG to TA. (iv) A comparison of the mutagenic actions of N4-hydroxycytidine and 5-methyl-N4-hydroxy-deoxycytidine showed that deoxyriboside analogues are not necessarily more efficient mutagens than ribonucleosides. (v) No purine or pyrimidine deficiency was needed for mutagenesis to occur for any of the mutagens investigated. (vi) The results on bacteria with different repair abilities suggest that base-analogue mutagenesis (except perhaps for BrdUrd) occurs mainly during replication of nucleic acids containing substituted nucleosides with bi-functional specificity.     

Nitric oxide and BCNU chemoresistance in C6 glioma cells: role of S-nitrosoglutathione

Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS or NOS2) is expressed in malignant glioma. Previously we noted that C6 glioma cells overexpressing NOS2 displayed chemoresistance against 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU) and other chloroethylnitrosourea derivatives with carbamoylating action. Herein we report experimental evidence supporting the contention that this NOS2 effect is mediated, at least in part, by S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO), a potent antioxidant derived from interaction of NO and glutathione. Out of three NO donors tested, only GSNO was effective in protecting glioma cells against BCNU cytotoxicity. Furthermore, the protective effect of GSNO, similar to that of NOS2, was confined to carbamoylating, but not alkylating action. Experimental manipulations that were expected to increase or decrease cellular GSNO stores, as confirmed by immunocytochemical staining using a GSNO-specific antibody and HPLC analysis of GSNO contents in culture medium, led respectively to enhanced or reduced chemoresistance against carbamoylating cytotoxicity. Finally, neocuproine, a selective cuprous ion chelator known to neutralize GSNO actions, abolished NOS2-mediated chemoresistance against carbamoylating agents. Our results reveal a novel action of NOS2/GSNO that may potentially contribute to the development of chemoresistance against BCNU, which remains a mainstay in chemotherapy for glioblastoma multiforme.     

Mutagens in human faeces. Are they relevant to cancer of the large bowel?

1. Mutagenic activity has been detected in faecal extracts, prepared by a number of methods, from donors living under widely differing geographical, cultural and dietary circumstances. Faecal extracts cause point mutations in bacteria and chromosomal damage in cultured mammalian cells. 2. The claims that nitroso compounds are present in human faeces have been retracted, and the chemical nature of faecal mutagens is still unknown. Indirect evidence suggests the presence of several classes of mutagen. 3. The use of different methods of mutation assay gives conflicting estimates of the proportion of people who excrete mutagenic faeces. There is wide variation in mutagenic activity between different stool samples from one person, and between different stool samples from different people. There is conflicting evidence for inhibition or enhancement of the mutagenicity of reference mutagens by faecal extracts. The effects of air oxidation on the mutagenicity of faecal extracts have not been investigated in detail. 4. It has been claimed that the proportion of people excreting mutagenic faeces is higher in groups representing populations at high risk of large-bowel cancer than in groups at low risk of large-bowel cancer. For the reasons given in paragraph 3, these claims must be regarded as premature. 5. The part played by faecal mutagens in the aetiology of large-bowel cancer has yet to be determined.     

Mutagenicity of aliphatic epoxides.

The mutagenicity of 17 aliphatic epoxides was determined using the specially constructed mutants of Salmonella typhimurium developed by Ames. The activity of these epoxides together with those reported in the literature as mutagens in strains TA100 and TA1535 depended on the degree of substitution around the oxirane ring. Monosubstituted oxiranes were the most potent mutagens in both strains. 1,1-Disubstitution resulted in the complete loss or reduction of mutagenicity, trans-1,2-Disubstituted, and tetrasubstituted oxiranes all lacked mutagenicity, while the cis-1,2-disubstituted oxiranes tested were weakly mutagenic in strain TA100 only. For the monosubstituted compounds the presence of electron-withdrawing substituents increased mutagenicity.     

Mutagenicity of food pellets from human diets in The Netherlands

Food pellets from human diets, prepared according to mean consumption figures in The Netherlands, were assessed on mutagenicity and mutagens were identified. Three types of human meals were compared: raw (C), heated (D) and heated with vegetables and fruit (E, a complete meal). In addition 2 animal diets were tested: commercial control diet (A), and a control diet to which vegetables and fruit had been added (B). All human diets contained: 40.6 energy (E)% fat, 13.2 E% protein, 46.2 E% carbohydrate and 5.2% (w/w) fibre. For animal diets these figures were 21.6, 26.0, 52.4 and 10.7% respectively. After extraction samples were tested in the Salmonella-microsome test, tester strains TA1538, TA98 and TA100. Human diets with heated products (D, E) were both clearly mutagenic with approximately 300-500 revertants per gram. Food pellets from animal diets (A, B) displayed no mutagenic activity. HPLC-derived chromatographic fractions of diets D and E showed 3 large mutagenic areas identified as IQ (2-amino-3 methyl-imidazo-[4,5-f]quinoline) and MeIQx (2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline, DiMeIQx (2-amino-3,4,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline and PhIP (2-amino-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine) and other mutagens not completely defined. This mutagen profile was similar to that found previously for fried beef. Mass estimates for these potent mutagens amounted to 15-20 micrograms/kg. Health implications of these findings are discussed. As IQ, MeIOx and DiMeIQx have been found to be weakly carcinogenic in rodents and many other initiating and modulating factors may be present in a complex human diet, a chronic toxicity study is indicated.     

Relation between chemical constituents of tobacco and mutagenic activity of cigarette smoke condensate.

Mutagenic activities of cigarette smoke condensate were assayed in the presence of S-9 Mix using Salmonella typhimurium TA 98. The results were examined in relation to chemical data of tobacco leaves. Among the nitrogenous constituents examined, the contents of total nitrogen and protein nitrogen and the soluble nitrogenous fraction were positively and significantly related to an increase in mutagenic activity of the smoke condensate, whereas nicotine and nitrate were not important in contributing to mutagenic potency of such condensates. The age of tobacco leaves influenced the mutagenic potency of the condensate, which was lowest in leaves from the lower stalk position and increased with ascending leaf position on the stalk. Smoke condensate from tobacco with higher sugar content resulted in lower mutagenic activity. The present results, together with the previous study on the mutagenicity of the amino acid pyrolyzates, suggest that potent mutagens in cigarette smoke condensate are nitrogen-containing compounds, which may be formed from proteins and amino acids during the burning of a cigarette.     

Mutagenicity of fungal metabolites related to aflatoxin biosynthesis.

Fungal metabolites identified as the intermediates in aflatoxin biosynthetic pathway were screened for their mutagenic activity to Salmonella typhimurium TA98. Norsolorinic acid, averufin, and versiconal acetate were found to possess questionable mutagenic activity, but versicolorin A, and sterigmatocystin were significant mutagens relative to aflatoxin B1. The mutagenic activity appears to be related to the bisfuran and not the anthraquinone moiety of the molecule, even though the latter is a key structure of such potent carcinogenic mycotoxin as luteoskyrin.     

Structure-activity relationships of nitro and methyl-nitro derivatives of indoline, indole, indazole and benzimidazole in Salmonella typhimurium

The mutagenic activities of eleven nitro derivatives and eleven N-methyl-nitro derivatives of indoline, indole, indazole and benzimidazole were investigated in Salmonella TA98 and TA100. The presence of a nitro group at C4 or C7 resulted in only weakly or nonmutagenic compounds, while a nitro group at C2, C5 or C6 usually resulted in measurable mutagenic activity in the non-N-methylated compounds. Methylation of a ring nitrogen usually reduced the mutagenic activity of these nitroheterocyclics except 2-nitro-benzimidazole, which resulted in a better than 300-fold increase in mutagenic activity. A proposed mechanism for the increased mutagenic activity obtained by methylation of imidazole nitrogens may provide insights into the reasons for the potent mutagenicities observed for several similarly methylated cooked-food mutagens.