Use of [8-3H]guanine-labeled deoxyribonucleic acid to study alkylating agent reaction kinetics and stability.

Alkylation at the N7 position of guanine in DNA renders the C8-hydrogen acidic. This serves as the basis for an assay of guanine N7 alkylation using [8-3H]-guanine-labeled DNA. I modified the assay by preparing a high specific activity substrate in vitro and by replacing the distillation step with charcoal adsorption of substrate. Using the appearance of noncharcoal-adsorbable label as a measure of guanine-N7 alkylation I examined the reaction of DNA with dimethyl sulfate and mechlorethamine. The rate of reaction of dimethyl sulfate with the N7 position of guanine in DNA was constant over time, i.e., loss of label from DNA proceeded linearly with time. On the other hand, the rate of reaction of mechlorethamine with DNA increased with time, consistent with the initial formation of the reactive aziridinium ion. The assay can also be used to compare the reaction rates of various alkylating agents with DNA. Thus, the acridine mustards ICR-170 and quinacrine mustard were far more potent alkylating agents than mechlorethamine. Furthermore the assay may be used to determine the alkylating potency and stability of various alkylating agent preparations: while frozen solutions of acridine mustards in organic solvents retained alkylating activity for several months, different commercial preparations of quinacrine mustard had little or no alkylating activity.     

DNA sequence selectivity of guanine-N7 alkylation by nitrogen mustards.

Nitrogen mustards alkylate DNA primarily at the N7 position of guanine. Using an approach analogous to that of the Maxam-Gilbert procedure for DNA sequence analysis, we have examined the relative frequencies of alkylation for a number of nitrogen mustards at different guanine-N7 sites on a DNA fragment of known sequence. Most nitrogen mustards were found to have similar patterns of alkylation, with the sites of greatest alkylation being runs of contiguous guanines, and relatively weak alkylation at isolated guanines. Uracil mustard and quinacrine mustard, however, were found to have uniquely enhanced reaction with at least some 5'-PyGCC-3' and 5'-GT-3' sequences, respectively. In addition, quinacrine mustard showed a greater reaction at runs of contiguous guanines than did other nitrogen mustards, whereas uracil mustard showed little preference for these sequences. A comparison of the sequence-dependent variations of molecular electrostatic potential at the N7-position of guanine with the sequence dependent variations of alkylation intensity for mechlorethamine and L-phenylalanine mustard showed a good correlation in some regions of the DNA, but not others. It is concluded that electrostatic interactions may contribute strongly to the reaction rates of cationic compounds such as the reactive aziridinium species of nitrogen mustards, but that other sequence selectivities can be introduced in different nitrogen mustard derivatives.     

History and perspectives of bioanalytical methods for chemical warfare agent detection

This paper provides a short historical overview of the development of bioanalytical methods for chemical warfare (CW) agents and their biological markers of exposure, with a more detailed overview of methods for organophosphorus nerve agents. Bioanalytical methods for unchanged CW agents are used primarily for toxicokinetic/toxicodynamic studies. An important aspect of nerve agent toxicokinetics is the different biological activity and detoxification pathways for enantiomers. CW agents have a relatively short lifetime in the human body, and are hydrolysed, metabolised, or adducted to nucleophilic sites on macromolecules such as proteins and DNA. These provide biological markers of exposure. In the past two decades, metabolites, protein adducts of nerve agents, vesicants and phosgene, and DNA adducts of sulfur and nitrogen mustards, have been identified and characterized. Sensitive analytical methods have been developed for their detection, based mainly on mass spectrometry combined with gas or liquid chromatography. Biological markers for sarin, VX and sulfur mustard have been validated in cases of accidental and deliberate human exposures. The concern for terrorist use of CW agents has stimulated the development of higher throughput analytical methods in support of homeland security.     

Specificity and kinetics of interstrand and intrastrand bifunctional alkylation by nitrogen mustards at a G-G-C sequence.

Previous work showed that melphalan-induced mutations in the aprt gene of CHO cells are primarily transversions and occur preferentially at G-G-C sequences, which are potential sites for various bifunctional alkylations involving guanine N-7. To identify the DNA lesion(s) which may be responsible for these mutations, an end-labeled DNA duplex containing a frequent site of melphalan-induced mutation in the aprt gene was treated with melphalan, mechlorethamine or phosphoramide mustard. The sequence specificity and kinetics of formation of both interstrand and intrastrand crosslinks were determined. All mustards selectively formed two base-staggered interstrand crosslinks between the 5'G and the G opposite C in the 5'G-G-C sequence. Secondary alkylation was much slower for melphalan than for the other mustards and the resulting crosslink was more stable. Mechlorethamine and phosphoramide mustard induced intrastrand crosslinks between the two contiguous Gs in the G-G-C sequence in double-stranded DNA, but melphalan did not. Molecular dynamic simulations provided a structural explanation for this difference, in that the monofunctionally bound intermediates of mechlorethamine and phosphoramide mustard assumed thermodynamically stable conformations with the second arm in a position appropriate for intrastrand crosslink formation, while the corresponding melphalan monoadduct did not.     

Quantum Molecular Modeling of the Interaction Between Guanine and Alkylating Agents - 2 - Nitrogen Mustard

Abstract

The alkylation mechanism of guanine by nitrogen mustard (HN2) was studied by using a supermolecular modeling at the ab initio 6–31G level. Our computations show that interaction of guanine with the aziridinium form of HN2 necessitates a transition state for the N7 alkylation route. The pathway of N7-guanine alkylation by nitrogen and sulfur mustards is discussed on the basis of the Molecular Electrostatic Potential and HOMO-LUMO properties of these molecules.     

Relationships between structure, toxicity and genetic effects in Salmonella typhimurium and Saccharomyces cerevisiae for substituted aniline mustards

A series of 4-substituted aniline mustards of widely varying reactivities have been evaluated for their mutagenic effects in Salmonella typhimurium strains of varying uvrB gene and plasmid status, and for their ability to cause mitotic crossing-over in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The 4-methyl aniline mustard N,N-bis(2-chloroethyl)-4-methylaniline and its corresponding half-mustard N-(2-chloroethyl)-4-methylaniline showed widely different effects in the various bacterial strains, with the half-mustard being much less toxic than the full mustard in the uvrB- strain TA100. However, in the uvrB+ strain TA1978+, possessing an intact excision repair system, both compounds were equally toxic and the full mustard was the more mutagenic. Both compounds were equally effective in promoting mitotic crossing-over in yeast. For a series of 4-substituted full mustards, the toxicity in S. typhimurium strain TA100 correlated with substituent electronic parameters in the same way as does mammalian cell toxicity, supporting the view that the primary mode of toxicity is via DNA cross-linking, even for unreactive analogues. However, there were no obvious correlations between substituent physiochemical properties and mutagenic potential in bacteria, suggesting that mutagenic events are subject to a variety of influences other than the reactivity of the mustard group. In contrast, the most chemically reactive compounds were the most toxic and most recombinogenic in yeast.     

Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of nitrobenzyl phosphoramide mustards as nitroreductase-activated prodrugs

A series of nitrobenzyl phosphoramide mustards and their analogs was designed and synthesized to explore their structure-activity relationships as substrates of nitroreductases from Escherichia coli and trypanosomes and as potential antiproliferative and antiparasitic agents. The position of the nitro group on the phenyl ring was important with the 4-nitrobenzyl phosphoramide mustard (1) offering the best combination of enzyme activity and antiproliferative effect against both mammalian and trypanosomatid cells. A preference was observed for halogen substitutions ortho to benzyl phosphoramide mustard but distinct differences were found in their SAR of substituted 4-nitrobenzyl phosphoramide mustards in E. coli nitroreductase-expressing cells and in trypanosomatids expressing endogenous nitroreductases.     

Cytotoxicity of alkylating agents towards sensitive and resistant strains of Escherichia coli in relation to extent and mode of alkylation of cellular macromolecules and repair of alkylation lesions in deoxyribonucleic acids

1. A quantitative study was made of the relationship between survival of colony-forming ability in Escherichia coli strains B/r and B(s-1) and the extents of alkylation of cellular DNA, RNA and protein after treatment with mono- or di-functional sulphur mustards, methyl methanesulphonate or iodoacetamide. 2. The mustards and methyl methanesulphonate react with nucleic acids in the cells, in the same way as found previously from chemical studies in vitro, and with proteins. Iodoacetamide reacts only with protein, principally with the thiol groups of cysteine residues. 3. The extents of alkylation of cellular constituents required to prevent cell division vary widely according to the strain of bacteria and the nature of the alkylating agent. 4. The extents of alkylation of the sensitive and resistant strains at a given dose of alkylating agent do not differ significantly. 5. Removal of alkyl groups from DNA of cells of the resistant strains B/r and 15T(-) after alkylation with difunctional sulphur mustard was demonstrated; the product di(guanin-7-ylethyl) sulphide, characteristic of di- as opposed to mono-functional alkylation, was selectively removed; the time-scale of this effect suggests an enzymic rather than a chemical mechanism. 6. The sensitive strain B(s-1) removed alkyl groups from DNA in this way only at very low extents of alkylation. When sensitized to mustard action by treatment with iodoacetamide, acriflavine or caffeine, the extent of alkylation of cellular DNA corresponding to a mean lethal dose was decreased to approximately 3 molecules of di(guanin-7-ylethyl) sulphide in the genome of this strain. 7. Relatively large numbers of monofunctional alkylations per genome can be withstood by this sensitive strain. Iodoacetamide had the weakest cytotoxic action of the agents investigated; methyl methanesulphonate was significantly weaker in effect than the monofunctional sulphur mustard, which was in turn weaker than the difunctional sulphur mustard. 8. Effects of the sulphur mustards on nucleic acid synthesis in sensitive and resistant strains were studied. DNA synthesis was inhibited in both strains at low doses in a dose-dependent manner, but RNA and protein synthesis were not affected in this way. 9. DNA synthesis in E. coli B(s-1) was permanently inhibited by low doses of mustards. In the resistant strains 15T(-) and B/r a characteristic recovery in DNA synthesis was observed after a dose-dependent time-lag. This effect could be shown at low doses in the region of the mean lethal dose. 10. Cellular DNA was isotopically prelabelled and the effect of mustards on stability of DNA was investigated. With resistant strains a dose-dependent release of DNA nucleotide material into acid-soluble form was found; this was much more extensive with the difunctional mustard (about 400 nucleotides released per DNA alkylation) than with the monofunctional mustard (about 10 nucleotides per alkylation). With the sensitive strain no dose-dependent release was found, though the DNA was less stable independent of cellular alkylation. 11. The results are discussed in terms of the concepts that alkylation of cellular DNA induces lesions which interfere with DNA replication, but which can be enzymically ;repaired'. The possible nature of these lesions is discussed in terms of the known reactions of the alkylating agents with DNA.     

Modulation of mutagenic properties in a series of DNA-directed alkylating agents by variation of chain length and alkylator reactivity.

Four series of aniline mustards linked to a DNA-affinic acridine chromophore by alkyl chains of varying length (2-5 carbon atoms) have been studied for their mutagenic properties, as estimated in four strains of Salmonella typhimurium and in Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain D5. The four series have very different mustard reactivities, as determined by the aniline link group (-O-, -CH2-, -S- or -SO2-). Some of the derived compounds cause frameshift mutagenesis which can be detected in TA98 and also "petite" mutagenesis activity, neither of which occur to significant extents with the parent mustards or with 9-aminoacridine. None of the derived compounds are as effective as the parent mustards in mitotic crossing-over, nor do they show ability for frameshift mutagenesis in S. typhimurium TA1977 which is typical of acridines. Some of the compounds have comparable frameshift activity to compounds such as ICR-191, but appear to have a different base-pair preference. The results indicate clear structure-activity relationships for the spectrum of mutagenic activity, which relate to both chain length and alkylator reactivity, for these compounds.     

Modulation of sulfur mustard induced cell death in human epidermal keratinocytes using IL-10 and TNF-alpha

We compared the effects of overexpressing a tightly regulated anti-inflammatory cytokine, interleukin 10 (IL-10), and the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) on sulfur mustard induced cytotoxicity in human epidermal keratinocytes. Both cytokines were overexpressed when compared with the cells transfected with the empty vector as determined by quantitative ELISA. Cells overexpressing interleukin 10 suppressed the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin 8 and interleukin 6 following exposure to 50-300 microM sulfur mustard. These cells exhibited delayed onset of sulfur mustard induced cell death. On the other hand, cells overexpressing tumor necrosis factor alpha induced a sustained elevation in both interleukin 6 and 8 expression following exposure to 50-300 microM sulfur mustard. These cells were sensitized to the effects of sulfur mustard that resulted in an increased sulfur mustard induced cell death. Normal human epidermal keratinocytes treated with sulfur mustard exhibited elevated levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha expression and increased activity of nuclear factor kappa B. Gene array data indicated that cells overexpressing interleukin 10 induced several genes that are involved in growth promotion and cell-fate determination. We, therefore, identify IL-10 and TNF-alpha signal transduction pathways and their components as possible candidates for early therapeutic intervention against sulfur mustard induced cell injury.     

Direct binding of sulfur mustard and chloroethyl ethyl sulphide to human cell membrane-associated proteins; implications for sulfur mustard pathology

Sulfur mustard (SM) is a potent vesicating agent that produces debilitating blisters and ulcerating lesions on the skin which are characteristically slow to heal. There are currently no specific medical countermeasures to prevent SM-induced vesication and therefore SM remains a major military threat. To investigate the mechanism by which SM causes these injuries we aimed to identify the cellular proteins that are important in the vesicant response and pathology of SM. Membrane and membrane-associated proteins that are targets for direct binding by SM were compared to targets directly bound by CEES (chloroethylethylsulphide). As CEES is a less potent blistering agent compared to SM, it was hypothesised that differences in the binding of these two mustards could reveal key proteins directly involved in the mustard vesicant response. Human cellular membranes fractionated from HaCaT cells were exposed to ¹⁴C-SM or ¹⁴C-CEES and the membrane proteins to which SM or CEES bound were separated by 2D gel electrophoresis, located by fluorography and subsequently identified using mass spectrometry. A number of proteins were identified that were differentially labelled by SM and CEES. Actin, annexin A2 and keratin 9 were labelled with SM at a higher intensity than was seen with the same concentration of CEES. Therefore results from these studies suggest that SM binding to these proteins could contribute to the complex pathology seen following SM exposure.     

The influence of crucifers and mustard oil on the emergence of larvae of the potato-root eelworm, Heterodera rostochtensis Wollenweber

Hatching experiments were carried out with cysts of the potato-root eelworm. The effect of solutions of potato-root excretion mixed with root excretions of six types of crucifer seedlings was studied. With cress, white mustard, and black mustard, the emergence of larvae in the mixed excretions was very much less than that from control cysts in potato-root excretion alone. On subsequent return to potato-root excretion alone, larval emergence was found to be unimpaired in the case of white and black mustards; in the case of cress, however, the total emergence differed significantly from control. Similar effects, of both types, were obtained with certain dilutions of ally isothiocyanate, the mustard oil of black mustard seed, in potato-root excretion.     

DNA sequence-specific adenine alkylation by the novel antitumor drug tallimustine (FCE 24517), a benzoyl nitrogen mustard derivative of distamycin.

FCE 24517, a novel distamycin derivative possessing potent antitumor activity, is under initial clinical investigation in Europe. In spite of the presence of a benzoyl nitrogen mustard group this compound fails to alkylate the N7 position of guanine, the major site of alkylation by conventional nitrogen mustards. Characterisation of DNA-drug adducts revealed only a very low level of adenine adduct formation. Using a modified Maxam-Gilbert sequencing method the consensus sequence for FCE 24517-adenine adduct formation was found to be 5'-TTTTGA-3'. A single base modification in the hexamer completely abolishes the alkylation of adenine. Using a Taq polymerase stop assay alkylations were confirmed at the A present in the hexamer TTTTGA and, in addition, in one out of three TTTTAA sequences present in the plasmid utilized. The sequence specificity of alkylation by FCE 24517 is therefore the most striking yet observed for an alkylating agent of small molecular weight.     

Mucocutaneous cholinergic system is targeted in mustard-induced vesication

The purpose of this research is to elucidate the pharmacological mechanism mediating vesicating effects of sulfur mustard (HD) and identify an antidote to its action. HD causes blisters because epithelial cells lose their attachments. Epithelial cell adhesion is under control of the local cytotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) working through the muscarinic and nicotinic receptor, mAChR and nAChR, classes expressed by epithelial cells. In this study, nitrogen mustard (NM)-a structural analog of HD-was used to elucidate the mechanism of vesicating effects of mustards in mucocutaneous tissues. NM caused cell detachment and cholinergic agents antagonized its effect. Radioligand binding inhibition experiments showed that NM binds to the ligand-binding site of ACh receptors (AChRs) of both classes. Ligation of AChRs on the cell membrane of keratinocytes (KC) and bronchial epithelial cells (BEC) with NM increased total esterolytic activity of serine proteinases (TEASP). Antagonists of both classes of AChRs, atropine and mecamylamine, diminished NM-induced changes, suggesting that the pathobiological effects of NM on KC and BEC result from an agonist-like degradation of ligated AChRs, predominantly of the muscarinic class. Thus, biological effects of NM on cell adhesion were antagonist-like, whereas its pharmacological effect on TEASP was agonist-like. These findings support a hypothesis that pharmacologic protection from the vesicating action of HD can be achieved by using cholinergic drugs.     

Inhibition of sulfur mustard-increased protease activity by niacinamide,N-acetyl-L-cysteine or dexamethasone

The pathologic mechanisms underlying sulfur mustard-induced skin vesication remain undefined. Papirmeister et al. (1985) have postulated a biochemical mechanism for sulfur mustard-induced cutaneous injury involving DNA alkylation, metabolic disruption, and enhanced proteolysic activity. We have previously utilized a chromogenic peptide substrate assay to establish that human peripheral blood lymphocytes exposed to sulfur mustard exhibited enhanced proteolytic activity. In this study, compounds known to alter the biochemical events associated with sulfur mustard exposure or to reduce protease activity were tested for their ability to block the sulfur mustard-increased proteolysis. Treatment of cells with niacinamide, N-acetyl-L-cysteine, or dexamethasone resulted in a decrease of sulfur mustard-increased protease activity. Complete inhibition of sulfur mustard-increased proteolysis was achieved by using protease inhibitors (antipain, leupeptin, and 4-(2-aminoethyl)-benzenesulfonylfluoride). These data suggest that therapeutic intervention in the biochemical pathways that culminate in protease activation or direct inhibition of proteolysis might serve as an approach to the treatment of sulfur mustard-induced pathology.Abbreviations APMSF 4-(2-aminoethyl)-benzenesulfonylfluoride, HCI - CPSPA Chromogenic Peptide Substrate Protease Assay - EDTA ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid - HD sulfur mustard - PBL human peripheral blood lymphocytes - pNA p-nitroaniline     

The effect of macromolecules upon the rates of hydrolysis of aromatic nitrogen mustard derivatives

The rates of hydrolysis of several aromatic nitrogen mustards (chlorambucil, melphalan, melphalan ester, and “p-phenylenediamine mustard”) have been determined in the presence of proteins and of synthetic and semisynthetic polymeric substances. Only those molecules with extensive hydrophobic areas significantly slowed down the hydrolysis of the alkylating agents. A substance able to protect a nitrogen mustard against hydrolysis does not necessarily affect the biological activity of the agent when combined with it.     

DNA sequence selectivity of guanine-N7 alkylation by nitrogen mustards is preserved in intact cells.

Nitrogen mustard alkylating agents react with isolated DNA in a sequence selective manner, and the substituent attached to the drug reactive group can impose a distinct sequence preference. It is not clear however to what extent the observed DNA sequence preferences are preserved in intact cells. The highly reiterated sequence of human alpha DNA has been used to determine the sites of guanine-N7 alkylation following treatment of cells with three nitrogen mustards, mechlorethamine, uracil mustard and quinacrine mustard, known to react in isolated DNA with distinctly different sequence preferences. Alpha DNA from drug treated cells was extracted, purified, end-labeled, and a 296 base pair, singly end-labelled, fragment isolated. Following the quantitative conversion of alkylation sites to strand breaks the fragments were separated on DNA sequencing gels. Clear differences were observed between the alkylation patterns of the three compounds, and the selectivities were qualitatively similar to those predicted and observed in the same sequence alkylated in vitro. In particular the unique preferences of uracil and quinacrine mustards for 5'-PyGC-3' and 5'-GT/GPu-3' sequences, respectively, were preserved in intact cells suggesting that the pattern of sequence dependent reactivity is not grossly affected by the nuclear milieu.     

Antimicrobial effects of mustard flour and acetic acid against Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes,and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium

This study was designed to investigate the individual and combined effects of mustard flour and acetic acid in the inactivation of food-borne pathogenic bacteria stored at 5 and 22 degrees C. Samples were prepared to achieve various concentrations by the addition of acetic acid (0, 0.5, or 1%) along with mustard flour (0, 10, or 20%) and 2% sodium chloride (fixed amount). Acid-adapted three-strain mixtures of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium strains (10(6) to 10(7) CFU/ml) were inoculated separately into prepared mustard samples stored at 5 and 22 degrees C, and samples were assayed periodically. The order of bacterial resistance, assessed by the time required for the nominated populations to be reduced to undetectable levels against prepared mustards at 5 degrees C, was S. enterica serovar Typhimurium (1 day) < E. coli O157:H7 (3 days) < L. monocytogenes (9 days). The food-borne pathogens tested were reduced much more rapidly at 22 degrees C than at 5 degrees C. There was no synergistic effect with regard to the killing of the pathogens tested with the addition of 0.5% acetic acid to the mustard flour (10 or 20%). Mustard in combination with 0.5% acetic acid had less bactericidal activity against the pathogens tested than did mustard alone. The reduction of E. coli O157:H7 and L. monocytogenes among the combined treatments on the same storage day was generally differentiated as follows: control < mustard in combination with 0.5% acetic acid < mustard alone < mustard in combination with 1% acetic acid < acetic acid alone. Our study indicates that acidic products may limit microbial growth or survival and that the addition of small amounts of acetic acid (0.5%) to mustard can retard the reduction of E. coli O157:H7 and L. monocytogenes. These antagonistic effects may be changed if mustard is used alone or in combination with >1% acetic acid.     

The mutagenic spectrum of acridine-linked aniline nitrogen mustards in AS52 cells: implications of DNA targeting with high selectivity for adenine or guanine bases

The mutational spectra generated in AS52 cells at the gpt gene locus by aniline mustards were studied by the isolation of resistant clones and sequencing of the altered gene. A set of four aniline mustards (both mono- and bifunctional) linked to a DNA-affinic 9-aminoacridine (9-AA) carrier was used, together with the untargeted mustards chlorambucil (CHL) and its half-mustard, and the DNA binding carrier, 9-AA. Both 9-AA and CHL were weak cytotoxins, with the DNA-targeted mustards being markedly (10-40-fold) more dose potent, and the bifunctional ones somewhat more toxic than the monofunctional ones. 9-AA produced a different spectrum of mutations to the spontaneous background, with more minor addition events and less base pair substitutions, and showing for the first time that frameshift events so characteristic of 9-AA in bacteria or bacteriophage also occur in mammalian cells. The mutational spectra of the DNA-targeted mustards were quite different both from this and from the lesions caused by the untargeted mustards, which cause largely transition mutations at AT sites (despite a clear preference for formation of N(7)-guanine adducts). There were very few transition mutations, suggesting that the initial O(6)-alkylguanine/O(4)-alkylthymine lesions considered to give rise to these are relatively rare. There was also a lower incidence of complete deletions, usually attributed to DNA cross-links. For the short chain length targeted mustards, which form initial stable adducts largely (95%) at guanine N(7) sites, base pair substitution mutations, predominantly transversions, involved AT and GC base pairs equally. In contrast, the longer chain length targeted mustards, which form >90% of initial adducts at adenine N(1) sites, generated also formed transversion mutations, but these overwhelmingly (24/27) involved AT base pairs.     

The utilization of mustards

The best known usage of members of the mustard group is as the basis for condiment, but some of the species are important as oil seeds. The leaves are widely used as a vegetable, especially in the Far East, while in temperate agriculture mustards are extensively used as green manures, cover crops, and fodder. Oilcake residues after expressing are used as fertilizers.