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M Z Humayun

Publications and source records attributed to M Z Humayun.

51 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Chloroperbenzoic acid induced DNA damage and peracid activation of alfatoxin B1.

The activated form of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in vitro and in vitro is believed to be the 2,3-oxide, which cannot be isolated, presumably due to its reactivity. In addition to in vitro activation by crude metabolic enzymes, two chemical procedures are available, one involving oxidation with the mild organic oxidant chloroperbenzoic acid and another involving the synthesis of AFB1-2,3-dichloride, an electronic analog of AFB1-2,3-oxide. Here we show that chloroperbenzoic acid by itself can modify DNA, primarily at non-basepaired adenine and guanine residues, as revealed by 'replication block' analysis.

Aflatoxin B1↗

Sequence context effects in DNA replication blocks induced by aflatoxin B1.

The genotoxic effects of the potent mutagenic carcinogen aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) are believed to be mediated by its reaction with the N-7 atom of guanine residues in DNA. We have analyzed the effect of AFB1-induced chemical modification on the template function of single-stranded DNA in vitro. The experimental strategy involves the elongation of a primer on a modified template by Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I (large fragment) and analysis of the products by high-resolution gel electrophoresis. Our data show that (i) AFB1 induces specific replication blocks one nucleotide 3' to the sites of occurrence of guanine residues on template DNA; (ii) AFB1-induced replication blocks occur predominantly at sequences capable of participation in intrastrand base pairing; (iii) within the intrastrand base-paired regions there are strong sequence context effects, in accordance with the previously described [Muench, K. F., Misra, R. P. & Humayun, M. Z. (1983) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 80, 6-10] specificity "rules" that apply to the reaction of AFB1 with guanine residues in double-stranded DNA; (iv) there is evidence that the (7-guanyl)-AFB1 adducts as well as secondary derivatives such as the formamidopyrimidine-AFB1 act as replication blocks. In summary, these data suggest that previously observed inhibition of DNA replication and transcription by AFB1 is directly attributable to (7-guanyl)-AFB1 adducts or their secondary reaction products.

Aflatoxin B1↗

Sequence specificity in aflatoxin B1--DNA interactions.

The activated form of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) causes covalent modification primarily of guanine residues, leading to alkali-labile sites in DNA. A simple extension of the Maxam-Gilbert procedure for sequence analysis permits the identification of alkali-labile sites induced by AFB1 and determination of the frequency of alkali-labile AFB1 modifications at particular sites on a DNA fragment of known sequence. Using this strategy, we have investigated the influence of flanking nucleotide sequences on AFB1 modification in a number of DNA fragments of known sequence. Our results show that certain guanine residues in double-stranded DNA are preferentially attacked by AFB1 over others in a manner predictable from a knowledge of vicinal nucleotide sequences. The observed in vitro sequence specificity is independent of a number of tested parameters and is likely to occur in vivo.

Aflatoxins↗

Molecular characterization of small polydisperse circular deoxyribonucleic acid from an African green monkey cell line.

Several size classes of small polydisperse circular (spc) DNA from the African green monkey cell line BSC1 have been cloned into the bacterial plasmid pBR322. Analysis of the cloned spc DNA fragments as well as total spc DNA reveals that (a) most or all cloned spc DNAs share homologies with chromosomal sequences, (b) both unique and repetitive chromosomal sequences are represented in spc DNA, (c) the repetitive sequences in spc DNA include two known major repeat families (the alpha and the Alu) as well as a third, as yet unidentified, set of interspersed repetitive sequences, and (d) the alpha-like sequences are present in an oligomeric series of circular DNA molecules within the spc DNA population. The organizational features of repetitive DNA sequence-carrying circles suggest a mechanism for their generation.

Animals↗

Construction and characterization of an Escherichia coli plasmid bearing a functional gene G of bacteriophage phiX174.

In order to study the mutagenic effects of site-specific, covalent modifications of biologically active DNA, we need host cells that are permissive for any type of mutation that might be produced in vivo from the modified DNA. Specifically, we require a general, in vivo complementation system for the bacteriophage phiX174 gene G, an essential gene that we have chosen for our initial studies of chemical mutagenesis. Toward this end, we have constructed a plasmid (pphiXG) that carries a functional copy of phiX174 gene G. Three different bacterial strains that are nonpermissive for am9, a gene G amber mutant, have been transformed with pphiXG. The transformants are now permissive for this gene G mutant, but not for the gene A or E mutants that have been tested. This paper describes the construction and the biochemical characterization of this plasmid, pphiXG, and describes some of the biological properties exhibited by the pphiXG-bearing strains.

Coliphages↗

Antibodies specific to a deoxyribodinucleotide sequence.

Antibodies were raised in rabbits against the bovine serum albumin conjugate of dpApT. Analysis by double diffusion in agar gel and quantitative precipitation test showed the presence of antibodies specific to the hapten in the antisera. Quantitative data on the specificity of the antibodies were obtained by studying the inhibition of the binding of 3H-dpApT to the antisera by various nonradioactive mono- and oligonucleotides, using a nitrocellulose membrane binding assay. The antibodies were found to be highly specific for the dinucleotide sequence dpApT. The antibodies were able to bind to synthetic oligonucleotides containing the sequence dpApT and to denatured calf thymus DNA.

Animals↗

Immunologic studies on nucleic acids and their components. II. Reversible inhibition of anti-nucleoside antibodies in aqueous pyridine and its application in antibody purification.

The effect of aqueous pyridine on a hapten-antihapten system was investigated by the quantitative precipitin reaction and by the membrane filtration method. It was found that dilute solutions of pyridine inhibited the reaction between isopentenyladenosine and its antiserum. Other solvents examined were less effective. The effect of pyridine was reversible at concentrations where complete inhibition occurred, thus indicating its use for the dissociation of antigen-antibody complexes. The inhibitory effect of pyridine was exploited in a single-step purification method for anti-isopentenyladenosine and anti-deoxy-adenylate antibodies. In addition, generally applicable methods for linking nucleosides and nucleotides to aminoethyl-Sepharose are described.

Antibodies↗

Specificity of anti-nucleoside antibodies.

The method of conjugation of a nucleoside or related compound to a carrier protein may have a significant effect on the specificity of the antibodies elicited. It is demonstrated, by means of the membrane-filtration assay, that anti-isopentenyladenosine antibodies produced by the ;periodate procedure' are much more reactive with the periodate-oxidized form of the nucleoside than with the parent compound. In addition, the simplicity and specificity of the assay used suggests its use as a sensitive radioimmunoassay for this multifunctional nucleoside.

Adenosine↗