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Correlations between intercalator-induced DNA strand breaks and sister chromatid exchanges, mutations, and

Cancer Research
|July 1, 1985
PubMed

Insights

DNA topoisomerase II inhibitors cause DNA double-strand breaks (DSB), which correlate with sister chromatid exchanges, mutations, and cell death in mammalian cells. These findings highlight DSB as key to drug-induced genotoxicity.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Intercalator drugs trap topoisomerase II:DNA complexes, leading to DNA strand breaks.
  • Protein-associated DNA single-strand breaks (SSB) and double-strand breaks (DSB) are key indicators of genotoxicity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the correlation between intercalator-induced DNA strand breaks and genotoxic effects.
  • To determine if DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) are responsible for sister chromatid exchanges (SCE), mutations, and cell killing.

Main Methods:

  • Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts (V79 cells) were treated with 4'-(9-acridinylamino)methanesulfon-m-anisidide or 5-iminodaunorubicin.
  • Assessed DNA strand breaks (SSB and DSB), SCE, mutations at the hypoxanthine:guanine phosphoribosyltransferase locus, and cell killing.
  • Correlated DNA strand breakage levels with observed genotoxic endpoints.

Main Results:

  • Both drugs induced reversible DNA strand breaks, SCE, mutations, and cell killing.
  • DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) strongly correlated with SCE, mutations, and cytotoxicity for both agents.
  • 5-iminodaunorubicin induced more SCE, mutations, and cytotoxicity per SSB compared to 4'-(9-acridinylamino)methanesulfon-m-anisidide.

Conclusions:

  • DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) induced by intercalators at topoisomerase II binding sites are closely linked to their genotoxic effects.
  • DSB, not SSB, are likely responsible for the observed sister chromatid exchanges, mutations, and cell killing.
  • This study elucidates the mechanism of topoisomerase II inhibitor-induced genotoxicity.

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