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Miscoding potential of tamoxifen-derived DNA adducts: alpha-(N2-deoxyguanosinyl)tamoxifen

S Shibutani1, L Dasaradhi

  • 1Department of Pharmacological Sciences, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, New York 11794-8651, USA. shinya@pharm.som.sunysb.edu

Biochemistry
|October 23, 1997
PubMed

Insights

Tamoxifen treatment for breast cancer increases endometrial cancer risk due to DNA adducts. These tamoxifen-DNA adducts (dG-N2-tamoxifen) cause significant DNA miscoding, leading to mutations during replication.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Tamoxifen is a widely used breast cancer treatment.
  • Tamoxifen use is linked to an increased risk of endometrial cancer.
  • Tamoxifen-DNA adducts, specifically alpha-(N2-deoxyguanosinyl)tamoxifen (dG-N2-tamoxifen), are implicated in its carcinogenicity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the miscoding properties of tamoxifen-DNA adducts (dG-N2-tamoxifen).
  • To quantify base substitutions and deletions induced by these adducts using various DNA polymerases.
  • To understand how different DNA polymerases interact with tamoxifen-DNA adducts.

Main Methods:

  • Preparation of site-specifically modified oligodeoxynucleotides containing epimers of dG-N2-tamoxifen.
  • In vitro primer extension assays using mammalian DNA polymerases alpha, beta, and delta.
  • Quantification of base incorporation (substitutions) and deletions opposite the modified guanine base.

Main Results:

  • DNA polymerases alpha, beta, and delta exhibited varying miscoding specificities and frequencies when encountering dG-N2-tamoxifen adducts.
  • DNA polymerase alpha incorporated incorrect bases (dCMP, dAMP) opposite all adduct forms.
  • DNA polymerase delta preferentially incorporated the correct base (dCMP), but some adducts caused dTMP incorporation; deletions were also observed with polymerases alpha and beta.

Conclusions:

  • Tamoxifen-derived DNA adducts (dG-N2-tamoxifen) possess high miscoding potentials.
  • The specific DNA polymerase involved influences the type and frequency of mutations induced by these adducts.
  • Understanding these miscoding properties is crucial for assessing tamoxifen's carcinogenic risk.

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