Influence of beta-myrcene on sister-chromatid exchanges induced by mutagens in V79 and HTC cells

The influence of beta-myrcene (MC) on sister-chromatid exchanges (SCE) in V79 cells induced by 4 S9 mix-activated indirect mutagens was studied. The mutagens used were cyclophosphamide (CP), benzo[a]pyrene (BP), aflatoxin B1 (AFB) and 9,10-dimethyl-1,2-benz[a]anthracene (DMBA). MC effectively inhibited SCEs induced by CP and AFB in a dose-dependent manner, but it had no effect on SCE induction by BP and DMBA. MC also reduced CP-induced SCE frequencies in a hepatic tumor cell line (HTC). These cells are metabolically competent and activate CP into its biologically active metabolites. Our results support the suggestion that MC modulates the genotoxicity of indirect-acting mutagens by inhibiting certain forms of the cytochrome P-450 enzymes required for activation of premutagens like CP and AFB.     

Ctrogenetic effects of mutagens/carcinogens after activation in a microsomal system in vitro I. Induction of chromosome aberrations and sister chromatid exchanges by diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) in CHO cells in the presence of rat-liver microsomes

A rat-liver microsomal system in vitro has been used to activate two indirectly acting carcinogens, DMN and DEN. On activation, both compounds were extremely potent in inducing chromosomal aberrations as well as sister chromatid exchanges in Chinese hamster cells. The implications of these findings and the potential utility of this technique to detect mutagens/carcinogens are discussed.     

Structure-activity relationships of epoxides: induction of sister-chromatid exchanges in Chinese hamster V79 cells

Analysis of SCE frequencies in Chinese hamster V79 cells was used to investigate structure-activity relationships of epoxides in mammalian cells. For this purpose the SCE-inducing potency of 58 epoxides was determined. Of these, 16 failed to induce SCE in V79 cells. According to the substitution of the oxirane ring the results show general agreement with results obtained in the Ames test. Mono-substituted epoxides had the highest genotoxic potency compared to di- and tri-substituted epoxides. In detail, there are differences in genotoxic potency between bacteria and mammalian cells which can be explained by differences in the cellular uptake of the compounds and by detoxification reactions.     

Enhancement of UV-induced mutagenesis and sister-chromatid exchanges by nickel ions in V79 cells: evidence for inhibition of DNA repair

With regard to contradictory results concerning the mutagenicity of nickel compounds in short-term assays, especially in bacterial test systems, Chinese hamster V79 cells were used to measure mutagenicity, comutagenicity and the induction of sister-chromatid exchanges (SCEs) by NiCl2. We confirmed the induction of mutations at the HGPRT locus as well as SCEs. In addition, NiCl2 shows a pronounced comutagenic effect towards UV. When using confluent cultures or resting cells due to serum deprivation, where more time is given for repair processes, the comutagenic effect is higher compared to logarithmically growing cells (10 and 4 times, respectively, compared to twice). Hence, we attribute this enhancement in mutagenicity to inhibition of DNA repair. Also the increase in induced SCEs after combined treatment with UV and NiCl2 supports this thesis. Furthermore, NiCl2 enhances the cyto-toxicity of cis-DDP about 12-fold. Since no comutagenic effect is observed in combination with MMS, we suggest that the inhibition of DNA repair by Ni(II) applies to all DNA changes that are repaired by the 'long-patch' excision repair system. This inhibition may occur via replacement of other divalent metal ions essential in repair and regulation processes.     

Effects of a tumor promoter and an anti-promoter on spontaneous and UV-induced 6-thioguanine-resistant mutations and sister-chromatid exchanges in V79 Chinese hamster cells

The effects of a tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and/or an anti-promotor antipain (protease inhibitor) on spontaneous and ultraviolet-induced sister-chromatid exchanges (SCEs) and 6-thioguanine- resistant (6TG^r) recessive mutations were examined in V79 Chinese hamster cells in culture. TPA and/or antipain neither significantly altered base-line and UV-induced immediate SCE frequencies, nor decreased the level of delayed SCEs which persisted 6–7 days after irradiation. TPA and/or antipain appeared to enhance the recovery of UV-induced 6TG^r colonies at the plateau expression phase despite non-mutagenicity by themselves and unaltered metabolic co- operation. Thus, the results conceivably imply that the 6TG^r-recessive mutation expression, but not fixation, can be modulated at the cell level by the TPA and/or antipain. Our results, together with the recent results of Loveday and Latt, may argue against the notion that TPA enhances the antipain-suppressible SCEs as an index of mitotic recombination in relevance with a tumor-promotion mechanism.     

Structure-activity relationships of epoxides: induction of sister-chromatid exchanges in V79 cells by enantiomeric epoxides.

Analysis of SCE frequencies in Chinese hamster V79 cells was used to investigate the influence of the stereoisomeric forms of epoxides in mammalian genotoxicity tests. The SCE-inducing potency of 12 pairs of (R)- and (S)-enantiomeric epoxides which differed in the degree of substitution of the oxirane ring was determined. Of these, 2 pairs of epoxides failed to induce SCE. Different SCE-inducing potencies between the (R)- and (S)-enantiomers were shown for 5 epoxides. This study demonstrates that stereoselectivity might play an important role in genotoxicity testing of chemicals with asymmetric C atoms.     

Some substrates and inhibitors of cytosolic epoxide hydrolase induce sister-chromatid exchanges in mammalian cells, but do not induce gene mutations in Salmonella typhimurium and V79 cells

Trans-stilbene oxide, trans-β-methylstyrene, 7,8-oxide, trans-β-ethylstyrene, 7,8-oxide, trans-β-propylstyrene 7,8-oxide and 4-fluorochalcone oxide were investigated for genotoxic activity in bacterial and mammalian cells, in the absence of external xenobiotic-metabolising systems. All compounds strongly enhanced the frequency of sister-chromatid exchanges (SCE) in cultured human lymphocytes. None of them was mutagenic in Salmonella typhimurium (reversion of the his⁻ strains TA98, TA100 and TA104). The limit of detection was 1/20,000 to 1/10⁶ of the activity of the positive control, benzo[a]pyrene 4,5-oxide, depending on the compound and the bacterial strain. Trans-β-methylstyrene 7,8-oxide and 4-fluorochalcone oxide were additionally tested for induction of SCE and gene mutations in the same target cells, namely Chinese hamster V79 cells. Their influence on the level of SCE was similar to that observed in human lymphocytes, whilst gene mutations (at the hprt locus) were not induced. The four investigated styrene oxide derivatives are known to be excellent substrates for a mammalian enzyme, cytosolic epoxide hydrolase (cEH). 4-Fluorochalcone oxide is a potent selective inhibitor of this enzyme and is structurally similar to the investigated styrene oxide derivatives. These properties of the test compounds however cannot explain the observed discrepancies in the results, since the genetic end point (SCE versus gene mutations) was decisive, and SCE were induced in cEH-proficient human lymphocytes as well as in cEH-deficient V79 cells.     

Comparison of the induction by cigarette smoke condensates of sister-chromatid exchanges in Chinese hamster cells and of mutations in Salmonella typhimurium

Three cigarette smoke condensates were tested for the induction of sister-chromatid exchanges in ovary cells of the Chinese hamster and for mutations in Salmonella typhimuriumIn the sister-chromatid exchange test an effect was obtained that was not enhanced by the inclusion of a system for metabolic activation. In the Salmonella test, an effect was only obtained by including rat-liver homogenates derived from rats treated with inducers of the enzyme systems necessary for metabolic activation.It appears that the SCE test and the Salmonella test are sensitive to different components of cigarette smoke condensates.     

Mutagenicity of 8-ethoxycaffeine in vitro : Induction of point mutations in the salmonella/microsome test and of sister-chromatid exchanges as well as chromosomal aberrations in Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO line)

The caffeine derivative 8-ethoxycaffeine (EOC) was tested in 3 different test systems in vitro. Each experiment was carried out with and without S9 mix. Incubation temperatures were 20 and 37 degrees C. (1) In the Salmonella/microsome test, EOC behaved as a pro-mutagen in the Salmonella typhimurium strain TA1535. No mutagenic activity was found in experiments without S9 mix. The influence of temperature was negligible. The mutagenic activity of EOC depended mainly on the mammals used to prepare the S9 fraction and on the agents given to them to induce liver enzymes. (2) EOC did not induce sister-chromatid exchanges in cell cultures, either at 20 or at 37 degrees C. (3) On the other hand, EOC induced chromosomal aberrations when the cells were incubated at 37 degrees C without S9 mix.     

Comparison of the induction by cigarette smoke condensates of sister-chromatid exchanges in Chinese hamster cells and of mutations in Salmonella typhimurium.

Three cigarette smoke condensates were tested for the induction of sister-chromatid exchanges in ovary cells of the Chinese hamster and for mutations in Salmonella typhimurium. In the sister-chromatid exchange test an effect was obtained that was not enhanced by the inclusion of a system for metabolic activation. In the Salmonella test, an effect was only obtained by including rat-liver homogenates derived from rats treated with inducers of the enzyme systems necessary for metabolic activation. It appears that the SCE test and the Salmonella test are sensitive to different components of cigarette smoke condensates.     

Effect of tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol 13-acetate on induction of sister-chromatid exchanges in Chinese hamster V79 cells treated with mutagens

The effect of a tumor promoter, 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol 13-acetate (TPA) alone and in combination with mitomycin C (MMC) or cyclophosphamide (CPP) on the induction of sister-chromatid exchanges (SCE) in Chinese hamster V79 cells was investigated. TPA alone at various doses and durations caused no increase of SCE frequency. MMC either at the dose of 0.03 or 0.003 μg/ml alone or in combination with TPA (2 μg/ml) all caused a significant increase of SCE frequencies. There was no difference in SCE frequencies between the cultures treated with MMC alone at 0.03 μg/ml and those treated with MMC plus TPA. However, cultures treated with MMC at 0.003 μg/ml plus TPA had significantly and consistently higher SCE frequencies than those treated with MMC alone at all durations. Treatment of CPP at 1 μg/ml activated by S9 mix caused significant increase of SCE frequencies. Surprisingly, the cultures treated with CPP, S9 mix plus TPA (2 μg/ml) caused a drastic reduction of SCE frequencies as compared to those treated with CPP and S9 mix only at all durations. These results indicate that TPA alone had no effect on SCE in V79 cells. TPA enhanced the SCE induction in V79 cells treated with MMC at a low dose, i.e. 0.003 μg/ml, but it inhibited SCE induction in cultures treated with the indirect mutagen CPP. Thus, TPA has no direct effect on genetic materials but it may indirectly alter the effects of a mutagen.     

Molecular characterization of methyl methanesulphonate (MMS)-induced HPRT mutations in V79 cells

Spontaneous and methyl methanesulphonate-induced HPRT-deficient mutants were analysed for changes in the hprt gene structure using multiplex polymerase chain reaction. The PCR amplification pattern of 21 MMS-induced mutations revealed one total deletion of the hprt coding exons and one small deletion within exon 5, while 19 mutants showed the V79 wild-type pattern. Molecular analysis of 30 spontaneous mutations revealed no mutants with amplification patterns which differed from those of wild-type cells. We further analysed MMS-induced mutants in a different V79 cell line with a high (40%) spontaneous deletion frequency. MMS caused a dose-dependent increase in the mutant frequency but the incidence of deletions was reduced to 6% at 2 × 10⁻⁴ M and to 13% at 5 × 10⁻⁴ M indicating that mainly point mutations were induced. The repair inhibitor cytosine arabinoside (araC) enhanced mutation induction by MMS but did not change the proportion of deletions in the mutation spectrum. The results indicate that different V79 cell lines spontaneously produce different amounts of deletion mutations. The frequency of MMS-induced deletions does not depend on the frequency of spontaneous deletions in a given cell line. The MMS-induced mutation spectrum seems to be unchanged even at high concentrations with a strong cytotoxic effect. Deletions are not increased as a consequence of araC-inhibited repair of MMS-inducd lesions.     

Activity of citrinin metabolized by rat and human microsome fractions in clastogenicity and SCE assays on Chinese hamster V79-E cells.

The mycotoxin citrinin is a potent inducer of chromosomal aberrations in the clastogenicity assay on V79-E cells when metabolized by rat and human liver microsomes. Rat and human liver microsomes, standardized on protein content, activate citrinin at equal levels. 5 X 10(-4) M citrinin induces complex translocations in a high frequency as well as defects of chromosomal coiling. Higher concentrations are cytotoxic, lower ones are almost inactive. After metabolization of mycotoxin by rat-kidney microsomes or an S9 mix fraction containing rat liver and kidney microsomes, toxic effects predominate and chromosomal aberrations are diminished. Clastogenic citrinin concentrations do not induce an increase of SCE frequency. Although the mode of action of this mycotoxin on chromosomal structure remains obscure, possible explanations are discussed.     

Metronidazole (Flagyl): lack of induction of sister-chromatid exchanges in CHO-K1 cells

328 X-linked recessive lethal mutations induced in late spermatids by hycanthone methanesulfonate were tested for coverage by duplications that comprised, in total, about 24% of the euchromatic X chromosome; 78 lethals appeared to be covered. Crossover localization tests of a random sample of 38 non-covered lethals revealed 4 chromosomes carrying a lethal within a duplicated segment. Lethals localized to a particular region were crossed to reference deficiencies and single-locus mutations, and inter se, to ascertain their genetic extent. The proportion of multi-locus deletions among these 78 covered and 4 non-covered lethals was 3/48, 1/10 and 13/24 for the distal, medial and proximal regions, respectively. A storage period of 9 days did not noticeably influence these proportions. In the sample of 38 non-covered lethals, and among 17 of the covered single-site lethals, 4 cases of strong crossover suppression were detected. Comparison of these results with data obtained with other mutagens suggests that induction of multi-locus deletions, and possibly of other types of chromosome rearrangement, could in part depend on other mechanisms than those acting in the formation of translocations and chromosome loss. For the purpose of mutagen testing, these findings imply that, in Drosophila, results in the regular genetic tests for chromosome breakage events do not always accurately predict the capacity of a mutagen to induce multi-locus deletions. This is of importance since transmissible multi-locus deletions have been considered a significant source of genetic damage in man.     

Thiourea prevents cytotoxicity and mutagenicity, but not sister-chromated exchanges in V79 cells treated with cis-diaminedichloroplatinum (II)

This work shows that cis-diaminedichloroplatinum(II)'s (cis-DDP) mutagenicity, as well as its cytotoxicity, can be prevented by subsequent treatment with thiourea. Sister-chromatid exchanges (SCE) induced by cis-DDP are only partially prevented by thiourea under conditions where mutagenicity is totally inhibited. A 4.5-h delay in the addition of thiourea following cis-DDP treatment results in an almost complete loss of its ability to prevent mutagenicity, but only a partial loss of its ability to prevent cytotoxicity and sister-chromatid exchanges.     

DNA topoisomerase II inhibition and gene amplification in V79/B7 cells

Topoisomerase II inhibitors such as etoposide (VP16) are able to stabilize the enzyme—DNA complex by trapping the topoisomerase on DNA without affecting its strand-break activity. To test if this inhibition resulting in chromosomal breakage via double-strand breaks could underlie gene amplification, we performed VP16 treatments followed by selection for PALA resistance in V79/B7 Chinese hamster cells. We found that VP16 induced PALA-resistant cells very efficiently, and in a dose-dependent manner. On the other hand VP16 in combination with 3-aminobenzamide (3AB), an inhibitor of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase involved in DNA repair, reduced the frequency of PALA-resistant cells. Cytogenetic analysis revealed a higher number of chromosomal aberrations in VP16-treated cells than in cells treated with VP16 plus 3AB. These results suggest a correlation between frequency of chromosomal aberrations and frequency of PALA-resistant cells, and are consistent with models which consider chromosomal breakage as an important step in initiating gene amplification.     

Induction of sister-chromatid exchanges in Chinese hamster V79 cells by exposure to the photochemical reaction products of toluene plus NO2 in the gas phase

A study was made on the induction of sister-chromatid exchanges (SCE) in cultured Chinese hamster V79 cells exposed to the photochemical reaction products of toluene plus NO2 in the gas phase. The photochemical reaction products of toluene plus NO2 were obtained by photochemical reaction of a toluene--NO2/dry air system in a photochemical smog chamber and then exposed to cultured cells for 2 h using a system for in vitro gas exposure. SCEs were induced at all concentrations of the photochemical reaction products employed in the present study, and the highest SCE frequency observed for the highest concentration tested for each component was 3.6 times higher than that of the control. Cytogenotoxicity which was evaluated with induced-SCEs of the photochemical reaction products of toluene plus NO2 was much the same as that of the previously reported photochemical reaction products of propylene plus NO2 (Shiraishi and Bandow, 1985), but was considerably stronger than that of typical gaseous air pollutants such as NO2 alone and O3 alone.