In vitro alkylation of calf thymus DNA by acrylonitrile. Isolation of cyanoethyl-adducts of guanine and thymine and carboxyethyl-adducts of adenine and cytosine

Reaction of the rodent carcinogen acrylonitrile (AN) at pH 5.0 and/or pH 7.0 for 10 and/or 40 days with 2'-deoxyadenosine (dAdo), 2'-deoxycytidine (dCyd), 2'-deoxyguanosine (dGuo), 2'-deoxyinosine (dIno), N6-methyl-2'-deoxyadenosine (N6-Me-dAdo) and thymidine (dThd) resulted in the formation of cyanoethyl and carboxyethyl adducts. Adducts were not detected after 4 h. The adducts isolated were 1-(2-carboxyethyl)-dAdo (1-CE-dAdo), N6-CE-dAdo, 3-CE-dCyd, 7-(2-cyanoethyl)-Gua (7-CNE-Gua), 7,9-bis-CNE-Gua, imidazole ring-opened 7,9-bis-CNE-Gua, 1-CNE-dIno, 1-CE-N6-Me-dAdo and 3-CNE-dThd. Structures were assigned on the basis of UV spectra and electron impact (EI), chemical ionization (CI), desorption chemical ionization (DCI) and Californium-252 fission fragment ionization mass spectra. Evidence is presented which strongly suggests that N6-CE-dAdo was formed by Dimroth rearrangement of 1-CE-dAdo during the reaction between AN and dAdo. The carboxyethyl adducts resulted from initial cyanoethylation (by Michael addition) at a ring nitrogen adjacent to an exocyclic nitrogen atom followed by rapid hydrolysis of the nitrile moiety to a carboxylic acid. It was postulated that the facile hydrolysis is an autocatalyzed reaction resulting from the formation of a cyclic intermediate between nitrile carbon and exocyclic nitrogen. AN was reacted with calf thymus DNA (pH 7.0, 37 degrees C, 40 days) and the relative amounts of adducts isolated were 1-CE-Ade (26%), N6-CE-Ade (8%), 3-CE-Cyt (1%), 7-CNE-Gua (26%), 7,9-bis-CNE-Gua (4%), imidazole ring-opened 7,9-bis-CNE-Gua (19%) and 3-CNE-Thy (16%). Thus a carcinogen once adducted to a base in DNA was shown to be subsequently modified resulting in a mixed pattern of cyanoethylated and carboxyethylated AN-DNA adducts. Three of the adducts (1-CE-Ade, N6-CE-Ade and 3-CE-Cyt) were identical to adducts previously reported by us to be formed following in vitro reaction of the carcinogen beta-propiolactone (BPL) and calf thymus DNA. The results demonstrate that AN can directly alkylate DNA in vitro at a physiological pH and temperature.     

In vivo interactions of acrylonitrile with macromolecules in rats

The irreversible binding of [2,3-14C]acrylonitrile (VCN) to proteins, RNA and DNA of various tissues of male Sprague-Dawley rats after a single oral dose of 46.5 mg/kg (0.5 LD50) has been studied. Proteins were isolated by chloroform-isoamyl alcohol-phenol extraction. RNA and DNA were separated by hydroxyapatite chromatography. Binding of VCN to proteins was extensive and was time dependent. Radioactivity in nucleic acids was registered in the liver and the target organs, stomach and brain. DNA alkylation, which increased by time, was significantly higher in the target organs, brain and stomach (119 and 81 pmol/mg, respectively, at 24 h) than that in the liver. The covalent binding indices for the liver, stomach and brain at 24 h after dosing were, 5.9, 51.9 and 65.3, respectively. These results suggest that VCN is able to act as a multipotent carcinogen by alkylation of DNA in the extrahepatic target tissues, stomach and brain.     

Molecular interaction of acrylonitrile and potassium cyanide with rat blood

The interaction of acrylonitrile (VCN) with rat blood has been investigated at the molecular level in an attempt to understand the possible mechanism of its toxicity. The results obtained were compared to those with potassium cyanide (KCN), a compound known to liberate cyanide (CN^?) in biologic conditions. The radioactivity derived from K¹⁴CN was eliminated faster than that from [1-¹⁴C]VCN. Up to a maximum of 94% of ¹⁴C from VCN in erythrocytes was detected covalently bound to cytoplasmic and membrane proteins, whereas 90% of the radioactivity from KCN in erythrocytes was found in the heme fraction of hemoglobin. Determination of specific activity showed that binding occurred more in vivo than in vitro which indicated that the VCN molecule was bioactivated inside erythrocytes. These results indicate that KCN interacts mainly through CN^? liberation and binding to heme, whereas VCN, which binds to cytoplasmic and membrane proteins, may cause damage to red cells by mechanisms other than release of CN^?.     

Therapeutic effect of (Z)-3-(2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl) acrylonitrile (DMMA) against Staphylococcus aureus infection in a murine model

Sortase enzymes belong to a family of transpeptidases found in Gram-positive bacteria. Sortase is responsible for the reaction that anchors surface protein virulence factors to the peptidoglycan cell wall of the bacteria. The compound (Z)-3-(2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl) acrylonitrile (DMMA) has previously been reported as a novel sortase inhibitor in vitro, but the in vivo effects of DMMA have not been studied. Here, we evaluated the in vivo effects of DMMA against infection by wild-type and sortase A- and/or sortase B-deficient Staphylococcus aureus in Balb/c mice. With DMMA treatment, survival rates increased and kidney and joint infection rates decreased (p < 0.01) in a dose-dependent manner. The rate of kidney infection was significantly reduced in the mice treated with sortase A knock-out S. aureus (p < 0.01). These results indicate that by acting as a potent inhibitor of sortase A and moderate inhibitor of sortase B, DMMA can decrease kidney and joint infection rates and reduce mortality in mice infected with S. aureus. These findings suggest that DMMA is a promising therapeutic compound against Gram-positive bacteria.     

Time-dependent botulinum neurotoxin serotype A metalloprotease inhibitors

Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are the most lethal of biological substances, and are categorized as class A biothreat agents by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There are currently no drugs to treat the deadly flaccid paralysis resulting from BoNT intoxication. Among the seven BoNT serotypes, the development of therapeutics to counter BoNT/A is a priority (due to its long half-life in the neuronal cytosol and its ease of production). In this regard, the BoNT/A enzyme light chain (LC) component, a zinc metalloprotease responsible for the intracellular cleavage of synaptosomal-associated protein of 25 kDa, is a desirable target for developing post-BoNT/A intoxication rescue therapeutics. In an earlier study, we reported the high throughput screening of a library containing 70,000 compounds, and uncovered a novel class of benzimidazole acrylonitrile-based BoNT/A LC inhibitors. Herein, we present both structure–activity relationships and a proposed mechanism of action for this novel inhibitor chemotype.     

Rhodococcus pyridinovorans MW3, a bacterium producing a nitrile hydratase

Rhodococcus pyridinovorans MW3 was isolated from an arable land of manioc from the Congo for its ability to transform acrylonitrile to acrylamide. This strain contains a cobalt nitrile hydratase (NHase) showing high sequence homology with NHases so far described. The specific NHase activity was 97 U mg(-1) dry wt. NHase production by R. pyridinovorans MW3 was urea and Co-dependent. The NHase was active for acrylamide up to 60% (w/v) indicating its potential for acrylamide production.     

Biochemical effects of acrylonitrile on the rat liver, as influenced by various pretreatments of the animals.

Acrylonitrile is extensively used in the synthesis of plastics, some of which are used for the packaging of food and beverage. A single dose of AN causes an increase in serum lactate and sorbitol dehydrogenase levels, as well as a decrease of liver cytochrome P-450 content and microsomal aldrin oxide synthetase activity. Those effects are prevented by pretreatments of the animals with either inducers of the mixed function oxidases or L-cysteine; diethylmaleate pretreatment enhances the increase of the soluble enzyme levels.     

Calorimetric method for the monitoring and control of biocatalysed reactions

A method for determining the reactant concentration and biocatalyst activity during a biocatalysed reaction is described. The analyser functions by monitoring the temperature change of a sample of reaction mixture which is held under adiabatic conditions. Details are given of the successful application of the analyser to the monitoring and control of a fed-batch bioconversion by Rhodococcus ruber NCIMB 40757 of acrylonitrile to 42% (w/w) (4.37 M) ammonium acrylate and the wider application of the analyser to other bioconversions is considered.     

Covalent immobilization of redox enzyme on electrospun nonwoven poly(acrylonitrile-co-acrylic acid) nanofiber mesh filled with carbon nanotubes: a comprehensive study

In this work, novel conductive composite nanofiber mesh possessing reactive groups was electrospun from solutions containing poly(acrylonitrile-co-acrylic acid) (PANCAA) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) for redoxase immobilization, assuming that the incorporated MWCNTs could behave as electrons transferor during enzyme catalysis. The covalent immobilization of catalase from bovine liver on the neat PANCAA nanofiber mesh or the composite one was processed in the presence of EDC/NHS. Results indicated that both the amount and activity retention of bound catalase on the composite nanofiber mesh were higher than those on the neat PANCAA nanofiber mesh, and the activity increased up to 42%. Kinetic parameters, K(m) and V(max), for the catalases immobilized on the composite nanofiber mesh were lower and higher than those on the neat one, respectively. This enhanced activity might be ascribed to either promoted electron transfer through charge-transfer complexes and the pi system of carbon nanotubes or rendered biocompatibility by modified MWCNTs. Furthermore, the immobilized catalases revealed much more stability after MWCNTs were incorporated into the polymer nanofiber mesh. However, there was no significant difference in optimum pH value and temperature, thermal stability and operational stability between these two immobilized preparations, while the two ones appeared more advantageous than the free in these properties. The effect of MWCNTs incorporation on another redox enzyme, peroxidase, was also studied and it was found that the activity increased by 68% in comparison of composite one with neat preparation.     

Biocatalytic scrubbing of gaseous acrylonitrile using Rhodococcus ruber immobilized in synthetic silicone polymer (ImmobaSil) rings

Microbial detoxification of acrylonitrile vapor was performed using Rhodococcus ruber immobilized into rings of a synthetic silicone polymer (ImmobaSil ) sponge. The immobilization matrix was used as both the cell support material and also as the trickle-bed column packing. The elimination capacity of the biocatalytic scrubber was determined for different influent concentrations of gaseous acrylonitrile. The working life of the nongrowing biocatalyst was also examined under test conditions and was found to be at least 70 days before biocatalyst replacement was required. An elimination capacity of 4.0 kg m(-3) h(-1) was achieved with a 95% removal efficiency, and an elimination capacity of over 7.2 kg m(-3) h(-1) acrylonitrile was achieved with a removal efficiency of 90%. This elimination capacity is 10 times that previously published in the literature.