Rapid analysis of base-pair substitutions induced by mutagenic drugs through their oxygen radical or epoxide

A Abu-Shakra1, E T McQueen, M L Cunningham

  • 1Department of Biology, North Carolina Central University, 1801 Fayetteville Street, Durham, NC 27707, USA. abushak@wpo.nccu.edu

Mutation Research
|September 15, 2000
PubMed

Insights

This study compared mutation spectra of diethylamine NONOate (DeaNO) and treosulphan (TE) using Salmonella reversion assays. Results reveal differential mutagenicity and target selectivity, aiding in understanding drug-induced DNA damage mechanisms.

Area of Science:

  • Toxicology
  • Genetics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Nitric oxide (NO)-delivery drugs like diethylamine NONOate (DeaNO) and chemotherapeutics such as treosulphan (TE) are known mutagens.
  • Understanding the specific mutations induced by these agents is crucial for assessing their genotoxic risk.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the mutation spectra induced by DeaNO and TE in various Salmonella strains.
  • To investigate the mutagenicity of treosulphan's hydrolysis product, 1,2:3,4-diepoxybutane (DEB), and hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)).
  • To elucidate the DNA damage detection capabilities of a battery of Ames II strains.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized Salmonella reversion assays with hisG46 strains (TA1535, TA100), hisG428 strain (TA102), and Ames II 7000 series strains.
  • Administered DeaNO, TE, DEB, and H(2)O(2) to bacterial strains to assess induced mutations.
  • Analyzed mutation spectra without DNA amplification or sequencing.

Main Results:

  • TE and DeaNO showed preferential mutagenicity in TA1535 and TA100, targeting the -CCC- sequence, while TA102 (-TAA- target) was insensitive.
  • Ames II strains exhibited selectivity, with AT targets showing limited reversion.
  • DEB, unlike TE, was mutagenic in TA102, similar to H(2)O(2), suggesting distinct damage mechanisms.

Conclusions:

  • The study demonstrates the utility of specific Salmonella strains for rapid analysis of drug-induced mutations.
  • Differential mutagenicity and target site reversion provide insights into the mechanisms of genotoxicity for DeaNO, TE, and DEB.
  • This approach offers a valuable tool for understanding how drugs cause DNA and cellular damage.

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