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Biomedical subjects

B Singer

Publications and source records attributed to B Singer.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Both purified human 1,N6-ethenoadenine-binding protein and purified human 3-methyladenine-DNA glycosylase act on 1,N6-ethenoadenine and 3-methyladenine.

We previously described a protein, isolated from human tissues and cells, that bound to a defined double-stranded oligonucleotide containing a single site-specifically placed 1,N6-ethenoadenine. It was further demonstrated that this protein was a glycosylase and released 1,N6-ethenoadenine. We now find that this enzyme also releases 3-methyladenine from methylated DNA and that 3-methyladenine-DNA glycosylase behaves in the same manner, binding to the ethenoadenine-containing oligonucleotide and cleaving both ethenoadenine and 3-methyladenine from DNA containing these adducts. The rate and extent of glycosylase activities toward the two adducts are similar.

Adenine↗
PubMed1992

Partial purification of a human DNA glycosylase acting on the cyclic carcinogen adduct 1,N6-ethenodeoxyadenosine.

We previously reported that a variety of human cells and tissues contained a Mr35,000 DNA-binding protein which selectively recognized a single 1,N6-ethenoadenine in a defined 25-base double-stranded oligonucleotide (B. Rydberg et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 88: 6839-6842, 1991). We now demonstrate that incubation of the same duplex with 50-fold partially purified binding protein from human placenta results in release of the free 1,N6-ethenoadenine base, indicative of DNA glycosylase action. This enzyme activity appears unique in that it excises a cyclic adduct resulting from a known human carcinogen.

Adenine↗
PubMed1991

Kinetics of extension of O6-methylguanine paired with cytosine or thymine in defined oligonucleotide sequences.

The frequency of extending m6G.C or m6G.T pairs, when the 3' and 5' flanking neighbors of m6G are either cytosines or thymines, was investigated using primed 25-base-long oligonucleotides and the Klenow fragment of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I (Kf). The efficiency, Vmax/Km, of extension to the following normal base pair was up to 40-fold greater than for the formation of the m6G.T or m6G.C pair. The frequencies of inserting either dCMP or dTMP opposite these m6G bases did not appear to be different in the two sequences, C-m6G-C and T-m6G-T, but extension was favored in the C-m6G-C sequence. The m6G.T pair extended to a C.G pair most efficiently, indicating that it was not a strong block to continued replication past the template lesion. Thus, m6G.T flanked by cytosines replicates more readily than when flanked by thymines, increasing G----A transitions. These data lend further support to the importance of sequence context in mutagenesis.

Base Composition↗
PubMed1991

The vinyl chloride DNA derivative N2,3-ethenoguanine produces G----A transitions in Escherichia coli.

Vinyl chloride is a known human and rodent carcinogen that forms several cyclic base derivatives in DNA. The mutagenic potential of these derivatives has been examined in vitro but not in vivo. One of these derivatives, N2,3-ethenoguanine (epsilon G), is known to base pair with both cytosine and thymine during in vitro DNA synthesis, which would result in G----A transitions. To determine the base pairing specificity of this labile guanine derivative in Escherichia coli, we have developed a genetic reversion assay for guanine derivatives. The assay utilizes DNA polymerase-mediated analogue insertion into a bacteriophage vector, M13G*1, which detects all single-base substitutions at position 141 of the lacZ alpha gene by change in plaque color. After the insertion of a single epsilon G opposite the template cytosine at position 141 by use of epsilon dGTP and DNA polymerase and further extension with all four normal dNTPs, the DNA was transfected into E. coli. Transfection of M13G*1 containing epsilon G at the target site yielded 135 mutants among 26,500 plaques, 134 of which represented G----A transitions. The uncorrected mutation frequency was 0.5%, as compared with the control value, approximately 0.02%; when corrected for epsilon G content and penetrance, the calculated mutagenic potential of epsilon G (mutations/analogue) was about 13%. We thus conclude that epsilon G specifically induces G----A transitions during DNA replication in E. coli. The M13G*1 assay may permit the testing of other labile guanine derivatives not otherwise amenable to mutagenesis studies.

Adenine↗
PubMed1991

Human cells contain protein specifically binding to a single 1,N6-ethenoadenine in a DNA fragment.

A human DNA binding protein has been characterized from cell-free extracts of liver, placenta, and cultured cells. This protein, apparent molecular mass approximately 35 kDa, to our knowledge, does not resemble other proteins reported to bind to carcinogen-modified DNA. The probe used for characterization was a 25-base oligonucleotide containing a single site-specifically placed 1,N6-ethenoadenine (epsilon A), a product of vinyl chloride metabolism. When annealed to form an epsilon A.T or epsilon A.C pair, a strong affinity to the protein was observed, with a binding constant of approximately 1 x 10(9) M-1. In contrast, very little binding was found with an epsilon A.A pair and none was found with an epsilon A.G pair. This suggests protein recognition of a specific structural alteration. Other defined probes with alkyl adducts did not bind. In addition, the human cell extracts and a rat liver extract were found to nick specifically at the 5' side of the epsilon A adduct, which could indicate a possible associated repair activity.

Adenosine↗
PubMed1991

Comparative mutagenesis of O6-methylguanine and O4-methylthymine in Escherichia coli.

The qualitative and quantitative features of mutagenesis by two DNA adducts of carcinogenic alkylating agents, O6-methylguanine (m6G) and O4-methylthymine (m4T), were examined in vivo. The deoxyhexanucleotides 5'-GCTAGC-3' and 5'-GCTAGC-3' were synthesized, where the underlined bases are the positions of m4T or m6G, respectively. By use of recombinant DNA techniques, the respective hexanucleotides or an unmodified control were inserted into a six-base gap in the otherwise duplex genome of the Escherichia coli virus M13mp19-NheI. The duplex adducted genome was converted to single-stranded form and introduced into an E. coli strain that was phenotypically normal with regard to m6G/m4T repair, a strain deficient in repair by virtue of an insertion in the gene encoding the Ada-m6G/m4T DNA methyltransferase, or the same two cell lines after challenge with N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine. Treatment with this alkylating agent chemically compromises alkyl-DNA repair functions. The mutation efficiency of m6G was low or undetectable (0-1.7%) in all cell systems tested, owing, we believe, to rapid repair. In striking contrast, the mutagenicity of m4T was high (12%) in cells fully competent to repair alkylation damage and was roughly doubled when those cells were pretreated with N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine to suppress repair. Taken together, these data suggest that m4T is potentially more mutagenic than m6G and, if formed by a DNA methylating agent, may pose a significant threat to the genetic integrity of an organism.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed1991

Evidence for the mutagenic potential of the vinyl chloride induced adduct, N2, 3-etheno-deoxyguanosine, using a site-directed kinetic assay.

N2,3-Ethenoguanine (epsilon G) is a product of vinyl chloride reaction with DNA in vivo and of its ultimate metabolite, chloroacetaldehyde, in vitro. The synthesis of the very labile 5'-triphosphate of N2,3-etheno-deoxyguanosine (epsilon dGuo) has made it possible to study the base pairing properties of this derivative placed opposite a defined normal base in a 25-base oligonucleotide template. The kinetic parameters, Km and Vmax were determined from elongation of a [32P]5'-end labeled primer annealed one base prior to the designated template base, epsilon G.T pairs, which would be mutagenic, were formed with a frequency 2- to 4-fold greater than the analogous wobble pair, G.T. The non-mutagenic pairing, epsilon G.C, occurs with a lower frequency than G.C but neither epsilon G.T or epsilon G.C constitute a significant block to replication. The frequency of epsilon G.T formation was similar with all polymerases tested: Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I (Klenow fragment), exonuclease-free Klenow, Drosophila melanogaster polymerase alpha-primase complex and human immunodeficient virus-I reverse transcriptase (HIV-RT). It is concluded that these prokaryotic and eukaryotic replicating enzymes apparently recognize the same structural features, and on replication G----A transitions would occur, which in turn, could initiate malignant transformation. In contrast to the G.T mismatch which is known to have a specific repair system, etheno derivatives are apparently not repaired in vivo.

Base Composition↗
PubMed1991

Antibacterial activity of crotalid venoms against oral snake flora and other clinical bacteria.

Despite heavy oral and fang contamination of crotalid species with a wide variety of potentially pathogenic bacteria, crotalid envenomation is associated with a low incidence of bacterial infection. Minimal inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations of venoms from three crotalid species were determined against six aerobic and eight anaerobic reference and oral crotalid microorganisms. All anaerobic isolates were resistant to greater than 20,480 micrograms/ml, whereas variable activity (range, 5-20,480 micrograms/ml) was observed for aerobic strains. Further studies against other aerobic clinical isolates demonstrated that venom had the greatest activity (MIC, less than or equal to 80 micrograms/ml) against staphylococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter, Citrobacter, Proteus, and Morganella species. Inhibitory activity was lost with prolonged incubation for many gram-negative species. Crotalid venoms are broadly active against aerobic gram-negative and -positive bacteria. This activity may play a role in the low incidence of infection after envenomation injuries.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Binding of the bacteriophage T4 regA protein to mRNA targets: an initiator AUG is required.

Bacteriophage T4 regA protein translationally represses the synthesis of a subset of early phage-induced proteins. The protein binds to the translation initiation site of at least two mRNAs and prevents formation of the initiation complex. We show here that the protein binds to the translation initiation sites of other regA-sensitive mRNAs. Analysis of mRNA binding by filtration and nuclease protection assays shows that AUG is necessary but not sufficient for specific binding of regA protein to its mRNA targets. Anticipating the need for large quantities of regA protein for structural studies to further define the regA protein-RNA ligand interaction, we also report cloning the regA gene into a T4 overexpression system. The expression of regA protein in uninfected E. coli is lethal, so in our system regA driven by a strong T7 promoter is sequestered in a T4 phage until 'induction' by phage infection is desired. We have replaced the regA sensitive wild-type ribosome binding site with a strong insensitive ribosome binding site at an optimal distance from the regA initiation codon for maximizing expression. We have obtained large amounts of regA protein.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1990

Comparative efficiency of forming m4T.G versus m4T.A base pairs at a unique site by use of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I (Klenow fragment) and Drosophila melanogaster polymerase alpha-primase complex.

Synthesis of a 25-mer oligonucleotide template containing O4-methylthymine (m4T) at a unique site is reported. The sequence used is analogous to that studied previously to determine the mutation frequency of O6-methylguanine in vitro and in vivo. The templates containing m4T or unmodified T were used in a primer-extension gel assay to determine kinetic parameters for incorporation by DNA polymerases of dGTP and dATP opposite either m4T or T. Both Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I (Klenow fragment, Kf) and Drosophila melanogaster polymerase alpha-primase complex (pol alpha) were used. On the basis of the Vmax/Km ratios, the pairing of m4T.G was preferred over that of both m4T.A and T.G by more than 10-fold. The two polymerases gave almost identical values for the frequency of formation of all pairs investigated including m4T.G pairs, suggesting that the 3'----5' exonuclease activity of the Klenow fragment does not efficiently edit such pairs. Extension beyond m4T.G was demonstrated with both Klenow and pol alpha. In similar kinetic experiments, bacteriophage T4 DNA polymerase, which has a very high 3'----5' exonuclease activity, allows stable incorporation of G opposite m4T in contrast to G opposite T. This kinetic approach allows quantitation of the mutagenic potential in the absence of alkylation repair and additionally provides qualitative data on mutagenesis that are in accord with our previous in vivo studies showing that replication of m4T causes T----C transitions.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Detection of an intermediate compartment involved in transport of alpha-factor from the plasma membrane to the vacuole in yeast.

alpha-Factor, one of the mating pheromones of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, binds specifically to a receptor on the plasma membrane of a cells, is internalized and delivered to the vacuole, where it is degraded. At 15 degrees C the rate of pheromone uptake is only slightly affected while delivery to the vacuole is markedly slowed down. A transport intermediate carrying alpha-factor to the vacuole can be reversibly trapped by treatment with the metabolic inhibitors, NaN3 and NaF. This intermediate(s) is distinct from the vacuole and the plasma membrane as judged by differential and density gradient centrifugation analysis. We present evidence that the alpha-factor is protected from protease digestion by a detergent-sensitive structure, suggesting that the pheromone resides within a vesicular compartment. We propose that this intermediate(s) represents an endocytic or prevacuolar compartment(s) involved in vesicular traffic from the plasma membrane to the vacuole.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Comparison of polymerase insertion and extension kinetics of a series of O2-alkyldeoxythymidine triphosphates and O4-methyldeoxythymidine triphosphate.

The effect of alkyl group size on ability to act as deoxythymidine triphosphate (dTTP) has been studied for the carcinogen products O2-methyl-, O2-ethyl-, and O2-isopropyl-dTTP by using three types of nucleic acids as template and DNA polymerase I (Pol I) or Klenow fragment as the polymerizing enzymes. Apparent Km and relative Vmax values were determined in primer extension on M13 DNA at a single defined site, in poly[d(A-T)], and in nicked DNA. These data are the basis for calculation of the relative rate of insertion opposite A, relative to dTTP. The insertion rate for any O2-alkyl-dTTP is much higher than for a mismatch between unmodified dNTPs. Unexpectedly, O2-isopropyl-dTTP is more efficiently utilized than O2-methyl-dTTP or O2-ethyl-dTTP on each of the templates. O2-isopropyl-dTTP also substitutes for dTTP over extended times of DNA synthesis at a rate only slightly lower than that of dTTP. Parallel experiments using O4-methyl-dTTP under the same conditions show that it is incorporated opposite A more frequently than is O2-methyl-dTTP. Therefore, both the ring position and the size of the alkyl group influence polymerase recognition. Once formed, all O2-alkyl-T.A termini permit elongation, as does O4-methyl-T.A. In contrast to the relative difficulty of incorporating the O-alkyl-dTTPs, formation of the following normal base pair (C.G) occurs rapidly when dGTP is present. This indicates that a single O-alkyl-T.A pair does not confer significant structural distortion recognized by Pol I.

Alkylation↗
PubMed1989

Effect of 3' flanking neighbors on kinetics of pairing of dCTP or dTTP opposite O6-methylguanine in a defined primed oligonucleotide when Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I is used.

O6-Methylguanine (m6G) was incorporated site-specifically into two 25-base oligonucleotides differing only in the nucleotide on the 3' side of the modified base. Templates were primed with oligonucleotides terminating one or two bases prior to the site at which incorporation kinetics were to be investigated. Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I (Klenow fragment) was used to determine the apparent Km and relative Vmax of incorporation of either dCTP or dTTP opposite m6G or G. These data were used to calculate the relative frequency of incorporation opposite the m6G or the unmodified G. When the sequence was 3'-Cm6G-5', there was a 6- to 7-fold preference for formation of a m6G.T pair compared with m6G.C. The m6G.T frequency, based on Vmax/Km, was at least 50-fold greater than that of a G.T pair at the same site. Changing the sequence to 3'-Tm6G-5' had a marked effect on both Km and Vmax of pairs containing m6G and on the incorporation frequency of T opposite m6G, which was then only slightly favored over m6G.C. When replication was started directly opposite m6G, the kinetics appeared unaffected. These data indicate that the frequency of incorporation of C or T opposite m6G in a DNA template is dependent on the flanking neighbors and that a change of even a single base at the 3' position can have a major effect on mutagenic efficiency. Replication using Drosophila Pol alpha gave the same values for relative frequencies. Pairing of either C or T with m6G on the primer terminus did not significantly inhibit extension of the next normal base pair, in contrast to terminal mismatches of unmodified bases. It is concluded that, in the absence of repair, m6G can exhibit widely differing mutation frequencies which, in these experiments, can be as high as 85% of the replicated base. This variation in frequency of changed pairing could contribute to the occurrence of mutational "'hot spots" after replication of damaged DNA.

Base Composition↗
PubMed1989

Black/white differences in health status and mortality among the elderly.

Grade of membership (GOM) representations are used to characterize and compare the health status of a very heterogeneous sample of blacks and whites in an elderly cohort of 2,806 noninstitutionalized men and women living in New Haven, Connecticut. They were interviewed in 1982 as part of the Established Populations for the Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly (EPESE). Ideal profiles based on functional disabilities, chronic diseases, and selected biomedical and behavioral risk factors are constructed empirically. Each individual in the sample is represented by a set of GOM scores, interpreted as degrees of similarity of his or her health record to each of the profiles. Four profiles emerge from GOM analyses: healthy elderly, elderly with cognitive impairment, elderly with impairment in mobility function and physical performance and with selected chronic conditions, and elderly with major limitations in activities of daily living and multiple chronic conditions. Although elderly blacks and whites generally have similar configurations of profiles, there are important differences, especially when chronic conditions are related to specific types of functional impairments. Questions about and claims for black/white mortality crossovers at older ages, usually addressed with aggregate data, are examined conditional on GOM scores that correspond to diverse combinations of disabilities (or lack thereof) together with housing characteristics of cohort members (e.g., whether they live in public housing for the elderly or in owned or rented housing in the community).

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1988

Formation of interstrand cross-links in chloroacetaldehyde-treated DNA demonstrated by ethidium bromide fluorescence.

Chloroacetaldehyde, the stable metabolite of the human carcinogen vinyl chloride, forms interstrand cross-links in vitro in salmon sperm DNA and in the alternating copolymer, poly(deoxyadenylate-deoxythymidylate) [poly(dA-dT)]. Formation of the cross-link was a function of both time of reaction and concentration of chloroacetaldehyde. Cross-linking in chloroacetaldehyde-treated poly(dA-dT) was detected initially by changes in renaturation hysteresis [Singer et al., Carcinogenesis (Lond.), 5: 1165-1171, 1984]. This has been confirmed and quantitated using the relative fluorescence of ethidium bromide after denaturation and reannealing at 40 degrees C. Three percent cross-linking was detected after 10 min reaction with 20 mM chloroacetaldehyde at 24 degrees C. In DNA the relative fluorescence of ethidium bromide after denaturation and rapid cooling was used to estimate the number of cross-links formed. Three times as much cross-linking occurs in DNA compared to poly(dA-dT) under identical reaction conditions. The postulated structure for an interstrand cross-link in poly(dA-dT) is a hydroxyethyl bridge across the strands between the N6-amino groups of alternate adenine residues. In DNA, other amino groups in the proper configuration can be involved.

Acetaldehyde↗