Lanthanide perchlorate complexes of 4-chloroquinoline-1-oxide and 5-chloroisoquinoline-2-oxide

New lanthanide complexes of 4-chloroquinoline-1-oxide (CQNO) and 5-chloroisoquinoline-2-oxide (CIQNO) were synthesized. CQNO gave two sets of complexes, one set soluble in acetone with the formulae [Ln(CQNO)₈](ClO₄)₃, where LnNd to Yb, and [La(CQNO)₁₀](ClO₄)₃, and the other insoluble in acetone with the formulae [Ln(CQNO)₇]- (ClO₄)₃ where LnLa, Nd and Gd only. CIQNO gave complexes of the general composition [Ln-(CIQNO)₈](ClO₄)₃ where Ln La and Nd and [Ln(CIQNO)₇](ClO₄)₃ where LnGd to Yb. The isolated complexes CQNO and CIQNO were characterized by elemental analysis, electrolytic conductance, infrared, proton NMR and electronic spectral data.     

Interactions of 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide with deoxyribodinucleotides.

The interactions of 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (NQO), a potent mutagen and carcinogen, with several self- and non-self-complementary deoxydinucleotides were probed by using absorption spectra of the charge transfer bands and 1H and 13C NMR spectra. Absorption spectra were analyzed by using Benesi-Hildebrand-type equations to yield stoichiometries and equilibrium constants of complex formation. Non-self complementary dimers form weak l:1 complexes [dpTpG:NQO, K(25 degrees C) = 22 M-1] while self-complementary dimers form strong 2:1 complexes [dpCpG)2:NQO, K(25 degrees C) = 2.2 X 10(4) M-2]. A mixture of dpTpG and dpCpA with NQO gives a 2:1 complexes [dpCpG)2:NQO, K(25 degrees C) = 2.2 X 10(4) M-2]. A mixture of dpTpG and dpCpA, K(25 degrees C) = 8.6 X 10(3) M-2]. Analyses of the changes in 13C and 1H NMR chemical shifts with complex formation gave approximate orientations for the intercalation of NQO with self-complementary dimer minihelixes. In the (dpCpG)2:NQO and (dpGpC)2:NQO complexes, the NO2 group of NQO probably lies in the major grove and the NO2, NO containing NQO ring is stacked near the purine imidazole ring. In the (dpTpA)2:NQO and (dpApT)2NQO complexes, the NO2 seems to project into the minor grove and the NQO benzenoid ring is over the purine imidazole ring.     

Toxicity of 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide for Crithidia fasciculata.

Growth inhibition of Crithidia fasciculata by 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (NQO) was observed in defined and complex media at 28 C. Aromatic amino acids, cystein, and nicotinic acid, among several other substances, were ineffective in overcoming NQO toxicity. Dicoumarol and bovine albumin reversed NQO inhibition. While bovine albumin probably acted by the extra-cellular binding of NQO, dicoumarol inhibited the activity of DT-diaphorase, which reduces NQO to 4-hydroxyaminonitroquinoline 1-oxide (HAQO). The DT-diaphorase from C. fasciculata had the same characteristics as the enzyme from rat liver. The specific protection by dicoumarol against NQO inhibition suggests that HAQO is the active toxic substance for C. fasciculata.     

Mutagenicity of 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide in the MutaMouse.

As part of a collaborative study, the Mammalian Mutagenesis Study Group (MMS), a sub-organization of the Environmental Mutagen Society of Japan (JEMS) conducted mutagenicity tests in MutaMouse. Using a positive selection method, we studied the organ-specificity and time dependence of mutation induction by 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4NQO). A single dose of 4NQO was administered intraperitoneally (7.5 or 15 mg/kg) or orally (200 mg/kg) to groups of male mice. On days 7, 14 and 28 after treatment, we isolated the liver, kidney, lung, spleen, bone marrow, testis and stomach in the intraperitoneal administration experiment and the liver, lung, bone marrow, testis and stomach in the oral administration experiment. In addition, we performed the peripheral blood micronucleus test to evaluate clastogenicity. In the mice treated intraperitoneally at 7.5 mg/kg, we found increased mutant frequency (MF) only in the lung, where the MF did not vary with expression time. In the mice treated at 15 mg/kg, we found increased MF in the liver, bone marrow and lung. In orally treated mice, the MF was high in the lung and liver and very high in the bone marrow and stomach while the increase in the testis was negligible. As the expression time was prolonged, the MF tended to increase in the liver, decrease in the bone marrow, and remain stable in the lung, testis and stomach. The incidence of micronucleus induction in peripheral blood cells was significantly increased (p<0.01) in the 4NQO groups when compared with the vehicle control group by intraperitoneal treatment. Thus, these assay systems appeared to be of use in detecting not only genetic mutation but also chromosomal aberration.     

Interactions of 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide with four deoxyribonucleotides.

The interactions of 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (NQO) with the four 5'-deoxyribonucleotides were probed using absorption spectra of the charge transfer bands and 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of nucleotide-NQO mixtures. Spectral data yielded equilibrium constants (K(dpG:NQO) = 16 M-1, K(dpA:NQO) = 12 M-1, K(dpT:NQO) = K(dpC:NQO) = 4 M-1) which suggest the preference of NQO for the guanine residue in a DNA. This is in agreement with the data of Okano, T., et al. [(1969) Gann 60, 295]. From 13C and 1H NMR data on nucleosides, a structure for the dpG:NQO complex is proposed.     

Effects of 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide on the DNA-protein complex

The effects of 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4NQO), a well known carcinogenic compound, on the DNA-protein complex and DNA Folding Proteins were investigated. FM3A cells were treated with 10(-6) M or 10(-5) M 4NQO for 30 min. Treatment with the 10(-6) M concentration was confirmed to cause the sedimentation of the DNA-protein complex to become slower. DNA Folding Proteins were then isolated from 4NQO-treated and untreated control cells and analyzed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. No appreciable differences in the amounts of the major components of DNA Folding Proteins could be found due to 4NQO-treatment, but the 92 K protein was induced in DNA-protein complex by treatment with 4NQO.     

4-Nitroquinoline-1-oxide: factors determining its mutagenicity in bacteria

In bacteria, 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (NQO) causes primarily mutations of the base-substitution type although frameshift mutations are also induced. The adducts formed are presumably recognized by error-prone DNA repair enzymes as evidenced by the much greater activity in plasmid pKM101-bearing tester strains. Although reduction of the nitro group appears to be required for mutagenic activity, this reduction is not catalyzed by the nitroreductase required for the demonstration of the mutagenicity in bacteria of other nitro-containing mutagens (nitrofurans, 2-nitronaphthalene, nitrofluorenes). The reduction of the nitro group appears to be catalyzed by a different nitroreductase. The mutagenicity of the non-carcinogenic 3-methyl-4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (meNQO) may be related to this newly recognized nitroreductase. It is proposed, further, that the ultimate mutagenic intermediates derived from NQO and MeNQO differ.     

Responses of entomopathogenic fungi to the mutagen 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide

Survival of entomopathogenic fungi under solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation is paramount to the success of biological control of insect pests and disease vectors. The mutagenic compound 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4-NQO) is often used to mimic the biological effects of UV radiation on organisms. Therefore, we asked whether tolerance to 4-NQO could predict tolerance to UV radiation in thirty isolates of entomopathogenic fungi and one isolate of a xerophilic fungus. A dendrogram obtained from cluster analyses based on the 50 and 90 % inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀ and IC₉₀, respectively) divided the fungal isolates into six clusters numbered consecutively based on their tolerance to 4-NQO. Cluster 6 contained species with highest tolerance to 4-NQO (IC₅₀ > 4.7 μM), including Mariannaea pruinosa, Lecanicillium aphanocladii, and Torrubiella homopterorum. Cluster 1 contained species least tolerant to 4-NQO (IC₅₀ < 0.2 μM), such as Metarhizium acridum (ARSEF 324), Tolypocladium geodes, and Metarhizium brunneum (ARSEF 7711). With few exceptions, the majority of Metarhizium species showed moderate to low tolerances (IC₅₀ between 0.4 and 0.9 μM) and were placed in cluster 2. Cluster 3 included species with moderate tolerance (IC₅₀ between 1.0 and 1.2 μM). In cluster 4 were species with moderate to high tolerance (IC₅₀ between 1.3 and 1.6 μM). Cluster 5 contained the species with high tolerance (IC₅₀ between 1.9 and 4.0 μM). The most UV tolerant isolate of M. acridum, ARSEF 324, was the least tolerant to 4-NQO. Also, L. aphanocladii, which is very susceptible to UV radiation, showed high tolerance to 4-NQO. Our results indicate that tolerance to 4-NQO does not correlate with tolerance to UV radiation. Therefore this chemical compound is not a predictor of UV tolerance in entomopathogenic fungi.     

Bioreduction of 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide in dysplastic nevus syndrome fibroblasts

Fibroblast strains 3012T and 3072T, derived from normal skin explants of two patients affected with familial dysplastic nevus syndrome (DNS), an hereditary variant of cutaneous malignant melanoma, have been reported to be abnormally sensitive to the cytotoxic and mutagenic effects of the procarcinogen 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4NQO). In this communication we demonstrate that on exposure to a particular concentration of 4NQO, these same two DNS strains sustain an amount of DNA damage which is equal to (3012T) or only approximately 1.3 times greater than (3072T) that displayed by 8 control fibroblast strains established from clinically normal volunteers. Moreover, cell sonicates of 3072T display approximately 1.3-fold enhanced capacity to catalyze the reduction of 4NQO to the proximate carcinogen 4-hydroxyaminoquinoline 1-oxide, whereas sonicates of 3012T cells carry out this reaction at a normal rate. Accordingly, our results argue against the postulate that the 4NQO hypersensitivity exhibited by these DNS strains is merely due to an elevated capacity for bioreduction of the inert parent compound to a DNA-reactive derivative.     

Lack of effect of 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide on cellular NAD levels

Human KB cells were treated with doses of 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4NQO) or dimethyl sulfate (DMS) that produced equal numbers of DNA-strand breaks when measured by velocity sedimentation analysis in an alkaline sucrose gradient. The DMS treatment also caused a profound and sustained lowering of cellular NAD content. The 4NQO treatment had no effect on the cellular NAD content. This result with 4NQO was not expected because strand breaks in DNA activate poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase and in the ensuing reaction NAD is consumed. Since 4NQO adducts are removed by an excision-repair process it is postulated that the strand breaks formed during the repair process are not accessible to poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase.     

Enzymatic methylation of DNA and poly(dG-dC) X poly(dG-dC) modified by 4-acetoxyaminoquinoline-1-oxide, the ultimate carcinogen of 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide

Both the initial velocity and the overall methylation of Ac-4HAQO modified DNA by a calf brain DNA (cytosine-5-)-methyltransferase are increased as compared to native DNA. The affinity of the modified DNA for the enzyme decreases as a function of the extent of the modification. Heat-denatured, single-stranded DNA shows exactly the opposite results: the more it is modified, the less it is methylated. The poly(dG-dC) X poly(dG-dC) modified by 4NQO is as well methylated as the non-modified one. The carcinogen may induce a tertiary structure favouring the 'walking' of the enzyme along the DNA. The hypermethylation caused by this carcinogen could have a significance in gene activity and cellular differentiation.     

Anti-coccidial activity of 2-picoline, 6-amino-4-nitro-, 1-oxide

An investigational drug (2-picoline, 6-amino-4-nitro-, 1-oxide) was evaluated to characterize the anti-coccidial spectrum of the compound. Two concentrations of the drug (125 and 250 ppm) were evaluated for bioactivity; weight gain, survival, dropping, and lesion scores were the response variables utilized to ascertain activity. The activities of the picoline derivative were compared with monensin, maduramicin, and a narasin/nicarbazin (1:1) combination. The investigational drug had significant activity against Eimeria tenella and Eimeria necatrix, and the 250-ppm level was significantly more active than 125 ppm. At 250 ppm, the E. tenella activity of the picoline derivative was comparable to both monensin (120 ppm) and the 50-ppm narasin/nicarbazin combination, significantly less effective than maduramicin (6 ppm), and significantly more efficacious than 30 ppm narasin/nicarbazin. At the same level (250 ppm), the picoline derivative had significantly less E. necatrix activity than monensin (120 ppm), maduramicin (6 ppm), and narasin/nicarbazin (50 ppm), and significantly greater activity than 30 ppm narasin/nicarbazin. At best, only extremely weak Eimeria acervulina, Eimeria brunetti, and Eimeria maxima activities were noted with the investigational drug; higher concentrations of the picoline derivative may achieve greater anti-coccidial activity against these species. The efficacy of narasin/nicarbazin compared favorably with monensin and maduramicin; the 50-ppm level of the combination appeared significantly more efficacious than 30-ppm.     

Interferon as a protector in human cells treated with 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide

Interferon having the activity 25-37 and 375 IU/ml decreases the frequency of chromosome aberrations induced with the cancerogen 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide in diploid human cells. The protective effect of interferon is not connected with stimulation or inhibition of cell division. It has been revealed that interferon with the activity 25-37 IU/ml has a stimulating effect on mitotic activity of cells, while interferon with the activity 375 IU/ml inhibits cell division.