Molecular and cellular mechanisms of transformation of C3H/10T1/2 Cl 8 and diploid human fibroblasts by unique carcinogenic,nonmutagenic metal compounds

Work from our laboratory showed that carcinogenic metal salts of arsenic, nickel, and chromium induced morphological transformation of cultured C3H/10T^1/2 Cl 8 (10T^1/2) mouse embryo cells, and that many of the transformants grow in soft agarose and form tumors in nude mice. Concentrations of arsenic, nickel, and chromium compounds that induced morphological transformation did not induce mutation to ouabain resistance in 10T^1/2 cells. This indicated that the mechanism of metal induced morphological transformation was likely not caused by induction of base substitution mutations, and in the case of lead chromate, likely not caused by frameshift or deletion mutations. In addition, we showed that carcinogenic arsenic, nickel, and chromium compounds, and MNNG, induced anchorage independence in diploid human fibroblasts. Anchorage-independent cell strains derived from anchorage-independent colonies were stable but did not form foci and eventually senesced, therefore, arsenic and nickel compounds and lead chromate induced stable anchorage independence as an isolated phenotype. Nickel compounds and lead chromate induced anchorage independence but not mutation to ouabain resistance or to 6-thioguanine resistance. Hence, the mechanism of induction of anchorage independence by these metal salts in human fibroblasts was likely not via induction of base substitution, frameshift, or deletion mutations that would be measured in these mutation assays. MNNG, on the other hand, induced mutation to 6-thioguanine resistance and to ouabain resistance over the same concentration ranges that induced anchorage independence was induced, indicating that MNNG might induce anchorage independence by inducing base substitution, frameshift, or deletion mutations. It is likely, therefore that the mechanisms of metal salt induced morphological and anchorage independent transformation in murine and human base substitution mutations. We hypothesize that rearrangements or amplification of proto-oncogenes, or, possibly, inactivation of suppressoro oncogenes, might play a role in the mechanism of metal salt induced morphological or anchorage independent transformation of 10T^1/2 and diploid human fibroblasts, respectively. *** DIRECT SUPPORT *** A03GS019 00027     

Ploidy dependence of induced mutation frequency in transformed Syrian hamster cells

The ploidy dependence of the induced frequency of a phenotype can be used to determine the dominant or recessive nature of a somatic mutation to a given trait. To demonstrate this we induced mutations in diploid and spontaneously occurring tetraploid clones of Syrian hamster embryo cells by treatment with EMS (1.2 mg/ml, 4 h). Mutagenized cells were assayed for the recessive mutation to 6-thioguanine resistance (5 μg/ml) and the dominant mutation to ouabain resistance (1.2 mM). The frequency of induction of the dominant mutation was equal in the diploid and tetraploid clones (2.3 × 10^?4). The frequency of induction of the recessive mutation was greatly reduced in the tetraploid clone relative to the diploid clone (1.8 × 10^?4 vs. 1.2 × 10^?3).6TG^r mutant subclones from the tetraploid clone remain nearly tetraploid, or even increase in ploidy, but show a reduction in the number of X chromosomes from two to one, or in some cases none (based on chromosome morphology). The principle of ploidy dependence is now being used to study the induction of phenotypes related to neoplastic transformation.     

UV-light-induced mutations in synchronous CHO cells

Asynchronous and synchronous CHO cells were irradiated with germicidal UV light to determine the fluence response curve for cell killing, and the induction of resistance to 6-thioguanine, ouabain, and diphtheria toxin. For asynchronous populations the data show a sigmoidal response for induced reproductive death, as has been seen by other, with a D₀ of 6 J/m² and an extrapolation number of 2.5. The induction of mutations appears to be a linear function for all three mutagenic markers up to a dose of 17 J/m².Reproductive death induced in the synchronous populations is a function of the time at which exposure occurs in the cell cycle, with late G₁ and early S being the sensitive stages. The induction of resistance to 6TG, ouabain, and diphtheria toxin (DT) all seem to depend on the time of exposure in the cell cycle. As in the case of UV-induced reproductive death, the more sensitive periods for mutation induction appear also to be the G₁ and early S period of the cell cycle, with the largest cyclic variation occurring for induced DT resistance.A comparison of the results reported here for the UV exposure with exposures of synchronous CHO cells to X-rays and ethylnitrosourea suggests that there are different age-specific responses to mutation induction for each agent, and that there are often different age responses for different mutagenic end- points with the same mutagen.     

Selection of mitotic Chinese hamster ovary cells from microcarriers. Cell cycle-dependent induction of mutation by 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine and ethyl methanesulfonate

Large quantities of mitotic cells may be collected by mitotic detachment from a population of Chinese hamster ovary cells growing on positively charged dextran microcarriers in suspension culture. Exponentially growing cells are treated for 2.5 h with colcemid and mitotic cells are detached from the microcarriers by increasing the stirring speed. A yield of 4-6% of the total population is obtained and, of the cells collected, 85-95% are arrested in metaphase. Using this means to synchronize cells we have determined the cell cycle dependence of the toxic and mutagenic effects of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BUdR) and ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS). Mutation was measured at two independent loci: resistance to 6-thioguanine and resistance to ouabain. Both mutagens were more toxic during S phase as compared to G1 or G2 or mitosis. BUdR induced significant mutation only during S phase. The maximum induction of 6-thioguanine resistance was observed in cultures treated 10 h after plating of mitotic cells (2 h into S phase), while the maximum induction of ouabain resistance was observed in cultures treated 10-12 h after plating of mitotic cells (2-4 h into S phase). EMS induced significant mutation at all points in the cell cycle. Mutation induction reached a minimum during S phase but the magnitude of difference between any two points in the cell cycle was found to be less than two-fold.     

Dissociated occurrence of single-gene mutation and oncogenic transformation in C3H 10T½ cells exposed to ultraviolet light and caffeine

We examined the relationship of cytotoxicity, mutagenesis, and malignant transformation by measuring in parallel clonogenic survival, mutation to ouabain resistance, and malignant transformation in cultured C3H mouse 10T 1/2 cells. Exposure of caffeine alone for 48 hours was cytotoxic and induced transformation in a dose-dependent manner. However, this same treatment did not induce any detectable ouabain-resistant mutants. When caffeine was present for 48 hours immediately following UV irradiation, alkaline sucrose gradient sedimentation of DNA showed that postreplication repair was inhibited. This inhibition of repair was correlated with reduced survival and inhibition of mutation induction, but the transformation frequencies were either unaltered or potentiated, depending on the UV dose and caffeine concentration. Thus, these experiments demonstrate that gene mutation and malignant transformation in 10T 1/2 cells can be dissociated. We suggest that the mechanism of transformation of 10T 1/2 cells is nonmutagenic in nature.     

A mammalian cellular system for the concomitant study of neoplastic transformation and somatic mutation.

A mammalian cellular system, utilizing Syrian hamster embryo cells, was developed for the concomitant study of neoplastic transformation and somatic mutation. Chemically induced somatic mutation of the cells was assayed at two genetic loci. Mutants deficient in hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl transferase (HPRT) were detected by the production of colonies resistant to 8-azaguanine (AG^r) or 6-thioguanine (TG^r) and mutants with an altered Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase were detected by the production of colonies resistant to ouabain (Oua^r). Colonies resistant to each of the three selective agents were isolated and characterized. AG^r and TG^r resistant cells maintained their resistance to the selective agent after isolation and growth in the absence of the drug, displayed a low reversion frequency, and possessed less than 1% of the HPRT activity of the wild-type cells. AG^r cells were also resistant to the cytotoxicity effects of 6TG. Oua^r cells also maintained their resistance to ouabain and were less sensitive to the inhibition of ⁸⁶Rb uptake by ouabain than the wild-type cells. The spontaneous frequency of all three types of resistant cells was <10^?6, but the mutation frequency was significantly increased following exposure of the cells to known mutagens in a dosage-dependent manner. These properties indicate that AG^r and TG^r cells posess a mutation in the structural or regulatory gene for HPRT, and that Oua^r cells have an altered Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase.The factors involved in the quantification of the mutation frequencies of hamster embryo cells following exposure to carcinogens were determined. Cytotoxicity was assayed by a reduction in the cloning efficiency of the treated cells. The recovery efficiencies of the resistant cells were measured by reconstitution experiments and the degree of cross feeding effects of HPRT^? cells was determined. The expression time of the mutations following exposure of the cells to carcinogens was also examined, and the mutation frequencie at the two loci of hamster embryo cells following exposure to MNNG or benzo(a)-pyrene (B(a)P) were determined. Employing this system, a quantitative comparison can be made between the frequencies of somatic mutation and morphological transformation.     

Mutagenicity,sister chromatid exchange inducibility andin vitro cell transforming ability of particulates from Athens air

Airborne particulates were collected over a period of twelve months by the use of Hi-Vol samplers in the basin of Athens, Greece. N-Hexane extracts were tested in a battery ofin vitro tests for their ability to induce mutation in bacteria as well as mutation, sister chromatid exchange and morphological transformation in cultured mammalian cells. Positive results were found for mutagenicity withSalmonella strain TA98 in the Ames assay, for sister chromatid exchange induction in CHO cells and for transformation in BALB/c 3T3 cells in culture. They also showed weak non-doserelated induction of ouabain resistance in BALB/c 3T3 cells. The contribution of oxidizing and nitrating agents found in the Athens atmosphere, together with sunlight UV irradiation in the formation of direct acting mutagens and potential carcinogens from ambient polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, is suggested.Abbreviations FCS fetal calf serum - FPG fluorescent-plus-Giemsa technique - oua^R ouabain resistant - PAH polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon - SCE sister chromatid exchange - TSP total suspended particulate     

A comparison of the agar cloning and microtitration techniques for assaying cell survival and mutation frequency in L5178Y mouse lymphoma cells

Microtitration methods for assaying cell survival and mutation frequency to ouabain resistance, 6-thioguanine resistance and 1-β-d-arabinofuranosyl cytosine resistance in L5178Y mouse lymphoma cells were compared to the standard agar cloning technique. The two methods gave essentially similar results for untreated cells, and after treatment with ethyl methanesulphonate and 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide. Potential advantages of the microtitration method as a routine assay system are discussed.     

The death of ouabain-treated renal epithelial cells: evidence against anoikis occurrence

The mechanisms of cell death signaling triggered by cardiotonic steroids are poorly understood. Based on massive detachment of ouabain-treated Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells, it may be proposed that the cytotoxic action of these compounds is mediated by anoikis, i.e. a particular mode of death occurring in cells lacking cell-to-extracellular matrix interactions. We tested this hypothesis. Six hour incubation of MDCK cells with ouabain, marinobufagenin or K⁺-free medium almost completely blocked Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase, increased Na_i⁺ content by ∼10-fold and suppressed cell attachment to regular-plastic-plates by up to 5-fold. In contrast, the death of attached cells was observed after 24-h incubation with ouabain but not in the presence of marinobufagenin or K⁺-free medium. Cells treated with ouabain and undergoing anoikis on ultra-low attachment plates exhibited different cell volume behaviour, i.e. swelling and shrinkage, respectively. The pan-caspase inhibitor z-VAD.fmk and the protein kinase C activator PMA rescued MDCK cells from anoikis but did not influence the survival of ouabain-treated cells, whereas medium acidification from pH 7.2 to 6.7 almost completely abolished the cytotoxic action of ouabain, but did not significantly affect anoikis. Our results show that the Na _i⁺,K_i⁺-independent mode of MDCK cell death evoked by ouabain is not mediated by anoikis.     

An effect of cell-cycle position on ultraviolet-light-induced mutagenesis in Chinese hamster ovary cells

Using synchronous populations obtained by selectively detaching mitotic cells from cultures grown in monolayer, we demonstrate here that Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells exhibit a differential sensitivity to mutation induction by UV as a function of position in the cell cycle. When mutation induction to 6-thioguanine (TG) resistance is monitored, several maxima and minima are displayed during cell-cycle traverse, with a major maximum occurring in early S phase. Although cells in S phase are more sensitive to UV-mediated cell lethality than those in G₁ or G₂/M phases, there is not a strict correlation with induced mutation frequency. Fluence-response curves obtained at several times during the cell cycle yield D_q values approximating 6 J/m². The primary survival characteristic which varies with cell cycle position is D₀, ranging from 2.5 J/m² at 6 h after mitotic selection to 5.5 J/m² at 11 h afterward. Based on studies with asynchronous, logarithmically growing populations, as well as those mitotically selected to be synchronous, the optimum phenotypic expression time for induced TG resistance is 7–9 days and is essentially independent of both UV fluence and position in the cell cycle. All isolated mutants have altered hypozanthine—guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (HGPRT) activity, and no difference in the residual level of activity was detected among isolated clones receiving UV radiation during G₁, S, or late S/G₂ phases of the cell cycle. Changes in cellular morphology during cell-cycle traverse do not contribute to the differential susceptibility to UV-induced mutagenesis.     

Mutagenic effects of brief exposure to bromodeoxyuridine on mouse FM3A cells

Abstract. The time- and dose-dependency of the mutagenic effects of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), a thymidine analogue used for cell kinetics studies in vivo and in vitro , were investigated in FM3A cells. Cells incubated with 50–1000 fin BrdU for 72 h showed some inhibition of growth. Cells cultured in BrdU-free medium for 3 d after a 30 min or 2 h exposure to BrdU showed no growth inhibition, while those previously exposed for 24 h to BrdU showed retarded growth. After a 30 min exposure, 60% of cells were labelled with BrdU; after 2 h 70%; and after 24 h almost 100%. After incubation in BrdU-free medium for 3 d (the time required for this cell line to express mutation), cells previously treated for 30 min or 2 h showed reduced BrdU positivity, whereas almost 100% of those treated for 24 h remained BrdU positive. The mutation rate, determined by the number of colonies resistant to ouabain (2 mM) and 6-thioguanine (10 μ) 3 d after exposure to BrdU, was not affected by a 30 min treatment with up to 1000 μ BrdU. Cells treated for 1 or 2 h showed increased resistance to ouabain after exposure to BrdU at concentrations above 100 μM; cells treated for 12 or 24 h showed an increased mutation rate at BrdU concentrations above 50 μM… The number of colonies resistant to 6-thioguanine did not increase in cells treated with BrdU at concentrations up to 1000 μM for 1, 12 or 24 h. We cannot conclude with certainty that brief exposure to BrdU does not modulate DNA to the point of mutation. This study may serve as a guideline for limiting the dose and time of exposure to BrdU for cell kinetics studies in vivo and in vitro.     

The restriction endonuclease Alu I induces chromosomal aberrations and mutations in the hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase locus, but not in the Na+/K+ ATPase locus in V79 hamster cells

The restriction endonuclease Alu I induces chromosomal aberrations and mutations in the hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) locus as measured by 6-thioguanine resistance (TGr) in V79 hamster cells. Alu I does not induce mutations in the Na+/K+ ATPase locus as measured by ouabain resistance (OUAr). The data are interpreted to mean that most if not all Alu I-induced TGr mutations represent chromosomal aberrations.     

Anti-H-2 hybridoma antibodies as immunoselective agents

Using immunoselection with an H-2K^k-specific monoclonal antibody following mutagenesis on an (H-2 ^k/H-2^d) F₁ cell line we have obtained variants that do not react with the selecting monoclonal antibody but continue to react with other monoclonal antibodies directed against the same gene product. The mutants fall into two classes based on their serological profile. This phenotype is suggestive of a structural mutation in the selected gene. If the genetic change involved is a point mutation (as opposed to a deletion), one should be able to obtain revertants. Using the fluorescence-activated cell sorter, we have been able to obtain from one of the monoclonal-antibody-nonseactive mutants cells that do bind the selecting antibody. In order to prove that the presumptive revertant is not a contaminant wild-type cell that inadvertantly got mixed into the resistant mutant, we first introduced an outside marker, resistance to the purine analogue 2-amino-6-mercaptopurine (6-thioguanine), into the monoclonal-antibody-resistant mutant. The revertants obtained using the cell sorter continue to express the nonselective phenotype of resistance to 6-thioguanine, showing that they are not wild-type cells. In addition, their serological characteristics are different from those of either the wild-type cells or the hybrid oma-resistant mutants from which they were derived. Based on the serological analyses, it would seem that we have isolated at least three variant forms of the H-2K^k-gene product.     

Effects of iron on rainbow trout gill cells in primary culture

This study investigated the effects of iron in the form of iron sulphate (FeSO₄·7H₂O), over the range 0.01–1 mM on rainbow trout primary gill cells cultured on semi-permeable membranes. The endpoints measured were cell proliferation, mucous cell numbers, area of mucus in mucous cells, ultrastructural analysis and transepithelial resistance. Regardless of the concentration, FeSO₄ did not modify the apical surface of pavement cells (microridge) and mucous cells. However, at 1 mM, this metal reduced cell numbers, by inhibiting cell proliferation and causing cell death, and induced a decrease in transepithelial resistance. It is interesting to note that cell numbers were also reduced in the presence of 0.5 mM iron salt, although this reduction did not modify transepithelial resistance. FeSO₄ reduced mucous cell number but did not change mucus area in mucous cells suggesting that this metal could induce a discharge of mucous cells, but mucus secretion would be total and not partial. In conclusion, our in vitro model has allowed to study some toxic effect but also resistance of gill epithelium in presence of iron.     

The mutagenic potency of 1,8-dinitropyrene in cultured mouse lymphoma cells

Although non-toxic, 1,8-dinitropyrene (1,8-DNP) was mutagenic for mouse lymphoma L5178Y cells when assayed for induced resistance to 6-thioguanine, methotrexate, ouabain and 1-β-D-arabinofuranosyl cytosine. In bacteria, nitropyrenes are potent inducers of frame-shift mutations, and the induction of ouabain-resistant mutants, believed to be due to base-pair substitutions, suggests that the mechanism of action may be different in mouse cells and bacteria. Long treatment times were required to detect 1,8-DNP-induced mutants in L5178Y cells, suggesting the possibility of an inducible activation system. 4-Nitroquinoline 1-oxide was both toxic and mutagenic to these same 4 mutation assays after short (2 h) treatment times. The dilemma that exists when comparing the mutagenic potential of test chemicals when concentration of mutagen, treatment times and toxicity are markedly different, is discussed.     

Mutation of human lymphoblasts exposed to low concentrations of chemical mutagens for long periods of time

Methylnitrosourea (MNU), ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS), and 4-nitroquinoline-N-oxide (4NQO) induce mutation to 6-thioguanine resistance and trifluorothymidine resistance in diploid human lymphoblasts (TK6). In single exposure experiments in which greater than 10% of treated cells survive, mutation as a function of concentration is linear for MNU, accelerates for EMS and appears to reach a plateau for 4NQO. In order to probe the bases of these concentration dependencies, human lymphoblasts were exposed for 20 days to each of the three mutagens. Each individual exposure chosen was in itself insufficient to induce statistically significant mutation and each resulted in a cellular survival of greater than 95%. Under this regimen, induced mutation as a function of the number of exposures was linear for all three mutagens. Prior exposure to low concentrations of mutagens was found to have no significant effect on the amount of mutation induced in subsequent exposures. Thus, no biological evidence was found for the induction of repair of misrepair systems.     

Genotoxicity of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol in V79 Chinese hamster cells.

The genotoxicity of the rodent carcinogen 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP) was studied without exogenous metabolic activation in V79 Chinese hamster cells. TCP did not induce mutation at the hprt locus to 6-thioguanine resistance or structural chromosome aberrations. However, it produced statistically significant, dose-related increases in hyperdiploidy and micronuclei. From these results it appears that TCP causes chromosome malsegregation as its major mode of genotoxic action.     

Action spectra for killing and mutation of Chinese hamster cells exposed to mid- and near-ultraviolet monochromatic light

We have examined the response of Chinese hamster V79 cells to monochromatic light of selected wavelengths in the mid- to near-UV region, using cell survival and induction of mutants resistant to 6-thioguanine (6-TG) or ouabain (OUA) as end points. As the wavelength increased from 313 to 405 nm, the induction of mutants resistant to 6-TG and to OUA decreased to a greater degree than did cell survival. Cells resistant to OUA were induced with considerably lesser efficiency at wavelengths of 313 and 334 nm than cells resistant to 6-TG. No mutants resistant to either 6-TG or OUA were induced by 405-nm light, and no mutants resistant to OUA were induced by 365-nm light. Thus, cell killing and mutation induction have different action spectra, and furthermore, action spectra for mutation induction at the HGPRT and Na+/K+-ATPase loci are different from each other. These observations imply important differences in the cellular mechanisms, and/or lesions, for cell inactivation, induction of 6-TG and OUA resistance for V79 cells exposed to near-UV monochromatic light.     

Bromodeoxyuridine-Induced Mutations in Synchronous Chinese Hamster Cells: Temporal Induction of 6-Thioguanine and Ouabain Resistance during DNA Replication

Mutations were induced in synchronous Chinese hamster cells by bromodeoxyuridine (BUdR) incorporated into cells for one-hour periods in the cell cycle. There was a very pronounced temporal dependence during the first half of the DNA synthesis period for the induction of damage leading to 6-thioguanine (6TG) and ouabain resistance. No mutants above background were induced by exposure to BUdR in G1 and G2 cells, and very few mutants were induced in the latter part of the DNA synthesis period. The peak for the induction of 6TG resistance occurs at about two hr in the DNA synthesis period; one hour later there is a peak for the induction of ouabain resistance. Both peaks occur before the time of maximum incorporation of BUdR into DNA. These results suggest that the mutagenesis by BUdR is associated with at least two nuclear genes, which replicate at two hr and three hr in the DNA synthesis period.     

Interaction of ouabain and diphenylhydantoin (DPH) with the cardiovascular actions of prostaglandin B2 and prostaglandin A2

Several reports have appeared indicating that ouabain may interact at sites on smooth muscle susceptible to activation by prostaglandins. This study reports on the interaction between ouabain (0) and diphenylhydantoin (DPH) with the cardiovascular actions of prostaglandin B₂ (PGB₂) and prostaglandin A₂ (PGA₂). Fifteen μg/kg i.v. of 0 enhanced the pressor response of the canine hindpaw to norepinephrine and tyramine but did not affect the pressor responses to sympathetic nerve stimulation (SNS), PGB₂ or PGA₂. PGB₂-induced bronchoconstriction (mediated solely by stimulation of smooth muscle) was reduced by ouabain. In a separate group of animals not receiving PG before 0, 0 reduced (p<0.05) the pressor responses to PGB₂. DPH enhanced the cutaneous pressor responses to SNS, NE, PGB₂ and PGA₂ but did not affect the bronchoconstrictor response to PGB₂. These data are consistent with the following conclusions: 1) Ouabain antagonizes the smooth muscle contractions produced by PGB₂. 2) The presence of PGB₂ antagonizes the prostaglandin inhibitory effects of ouabain suggesting that PGB₂ may compete for similar sites or allosterically interact with ouabain in smooth muscle. 3) DPH induced enhancement of PGB₂ and PGA₂ induced vasoconstriction may reflect DPH induced enhancement of adrenergic neurotransmitter release or inhibition of transmitter reuptake.