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A review of the genetic and related effects of 1,3-butadiene in rodents and humans.

In this paper, the metabolism and genetic toxicity of 1,3-butadiene (BD) and its oxidative metabolites in humans and rodents is reviewed with attention to newer data that have been published since the latest evaluation of BD by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). The oxidative metabolism of BD in mice, rats and humans is compared with emphasis on the major pathways leading to the reactive intermediates 1,2-epoxy-3-butene (EB), 1,2:3, 4-diepoxybutane (DEB), and 3,4-epoxy-1,2-butanediol (EBdiol). Results from recent studies of DNA and hemoglobin adducts indicate that EBdiol may play a more significant role in the toxicity of BD than previously thought. All three metabolites are capable of reacting with macromolecules, such as DNA and hemoglobin, and have been shown to induce a variety of genotoxic effects in mice and rats as well as in human cells in vitro. DEB is clearly the most potent of these genotoxins followed by EB, which in turn is more potent than EBdiol. Studies of mutations in lacI and lacZ mice and of the Hprt mutational spectrum in rodents and humans show that mutations at G:C base pairs are critical events in the mutagenicity of BD. In-depth analyses of the mutational spectra induced by BD and/or its oxidative metabolites should help to clarify which metabolite(s) are associated with specific mutations in each animal species and which mutational events contribute to BD-induced carcinogenicity. While the quantitative relationship between exposure to BD, its genotoxicity, and the induction of cancer in occupationally exposed humans remains to be fully established, there is sufficient data currently available to demonstrate that 1,3-butadiene is a probable human carcinogen.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗

Homogeneous single-component betaine Ziegler-Natta catalysts derived from (butadiene)zirconocene precursors.

(Butadiene)zirconocene adds B(C(6)F(5))(3) at a terminal diene carbon atom to yield the zirconocene-(mu-hydrocarbyl)-borate betaine Cp(2)Zr[C(4)H(6)-B(C(6)F(5))(3)] (4). The dipolar complex 4 contains a distorted pi-allyl moiety and features an additional stabilizing Zr-F-C(arene) coordination. Under kinetic control, an isomeric betaine system is formed, characterized by an internal Zr(+).CH(2)[B](-) ion-pair interaction, that rearranges to 4 upon heating. A great variety of ansa-metallocene(butadiene) complexes and related systems cleanly form analogous metallocene-(mu-conjugated diene)-borate betaines upon treatment with B(C(6)F(5))(3) and related Lewis acids. Most of these systems represent very active homogeneous single-component Ziegler-Natta catalysts for alpha-olefin polymerization and copolymerization. In addition, these betaine catalysts are ideally suited for carrying out mechanistic studies in active Ziegler-Natta catalyst systems. They allow for an experimental observation of the first alkene insertion step at the active single-component catalyst. This feature has been used for studying the mechanism of transfer of the stereochemical information from the bent metallocene backbone and for an experimental characterization of the energy profile of the alkene addition/alkene insertion reaction sequence in active homogeneous Ziegler-Natta systems. The neutral dipolar single-component catalysts (e.g., 4) produce a polyolefin-modified R'-(CHR-CH(2))-C(4)H(6)-B(C(6)F(5))(3)(-) counterion at the end of the initiation period upon entering into the repetitive active catalytic cycle.

Betaine↗

Structure of an oligodeoxynucleotide containing a butadiene oxide-derived N1 beta-hydroxyalkyl deoxyinosine adduct in the human N-ras codon 61 sequence.

The solution structure of the N1-(1-hydroxy-3-buten-2(S)-yl)-2'-deoxyinosine adduct arising from the alkylation of adenine N1 by butadiene epoxide (BDO), followed by deamination to deoxyinosine, was determined, in the oligodeoxynucleotide d(CGGACXAGAAG).d(CTTCTCGTCCG). This oligodeoxynucleotide contained the BDO adduct at the second position of codon 61 of the human N-ras protooncogene, and was named the ras61 S-N1-BDO-(61,2) adduct. (1)H NMR revealed a weak C(5) H1' to X(6) H8 NOE, followed by an intense X(6) H8 to X(6) H1' NOE. Simultaneously, the X(6) H8 to X(6) H3' NOE was weak. The resonance arising from the T(17) imino proton was not observed. (1)H NOEs between the butadiene moiety and the DNA positioned the adduct in the major groove. Structural refinement based upon a total of 364 NOE-derived distance restraints yielded a structure in which the modified deoxyinosine was in the high syn conformation about the glycosyl bond, and T(17), the complementary nucleotide, was stacked into the helix, but not hydrogen bonded with the adducted inosine. The refined structure provided a plausible hypothesis as to why this N1 deoxyinosine adduct strongly coded for the incorporation of dCTP during trans lesion DNA replication, both in Escherichia coli [Rodriguez, D. A., Kowalczyk, A., Ward, J. B. J., Harris, C. M., Harris, T. M., and Lloyd, R. S. (2001) Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 38, 292-296], and in mammalian cells [Kanuri, M., Nechev, L. N., Tamura, P. J., Harris, C. M., Harris, T. M., and Lloyd, R. S. (2002) Chem. Res. Toxicol. 15, 1572-1580]. Rotation of the N1 deoxyinosine adduct into the high syn conformation may facilitate incorporation of dCTP via Hoogsteen-type templating with deoxyinosine, thus generating A-to-G mutations.

Alkylating Agents↗

Sequential cross-coupling of 1,4-bissilylbutadienes: synthesis of unsymmetrical 1,4-disubstituted 1,3-butadienes.

A mild and general and stereospecific cross-coupling reaction of unsymmetrical 1,4-bissilyl-1,3-butadienes has been accomplished. By the use of either a benzyldimethylsilyl or 2-thienyldimethylsilyl unit at one end of the dienylsilanol, a selective cross-coupling could be effected under mildly basic conditions (KOTMS) to afford 4-aryl-1,3-dienylsilanes in excellent yield for a wide range of aryl and alkenyl coupling partners. The second cross-coupling could be effected cleanly by the action of TBAF with electron-rich or electron-poor halides. The sequential process could be telescoped into a "one pot" procedure with overall excellent yields of the unsymmetrical 1,4-diaryl-1,3-butadienes.

Benzene Derivatives↗

Preparation and reaction of 2-aryl-3-silyl-1,3-butadiene.

[reaction: see text] A conjugated pi-electron compound, 2-aryl-3-silyl-1,3-butadiene, was easily prepared from 1-benzyloxy-3-silyl-2-propyne, bis(iodozincio)methane, and an aryl halide in the presence of nickel catalyst. A subsequent cross-coupling reaction of the product with another aryl halide gave an unsymmetrical 2,3-diaryl-1,3-butadiene efficiently.

Butadienes↗

Mutagenic spectrum of butadiene-derived N1-deoxyinosine adducts and N6,N6-deoxyadenosine intrastrand cross-links in mammalian cells.

Reactive metabolites of 1,3-butadiene, including 1,2-epoxy-3-butene (BDO), 1,2:3,4-diepoxybutane (BDO(2)), and 3,4-epoxy-1,2-butanediol (BDE), form both stable and unstable base adducts in DNA and have been implicated in producing genotoxic effects in rodents and human cells. N1 deoxyadenosine adducts are unstable and can undergo either hydrolytic deamination to yield N1 deoxyinosine adducts or Dimroth rearrangement to yield N(6) adducts. The dominant point mutation observed at AT sites in both in vivo and in vitro mutagenesis studies using BD and its epoxides has been A --> T transversions followed by A --> G transitions. To understand which of the butadiene adducts are responsible for mutations at AT sites, the present study focuses on the N1 deoxyinosine adduct at C2 of BDO and N(6),N(6)-deoxyadenosine intrastrand cross-links derived from BDO(2). These lesions were incorporated site-specifically and stereospecifically into oligodeoxynucleotides which were engineered into mammalian shuttle vectors for replication bypass and mutational analyses in COS-7 cells. Replication of DNAs containing the R,R-BDO(2) intrastrand cross-link between N(6) positions of deoxyadenosine yielded a high frequency (59%) of single base substitutions at the 3' adducted base, while 19% mutagenesis was detected using the S,S-diastereomer. Comparable studies using the R- and S-diastereomers of the N1 deoxyinosine adduct gave rise to approximately 50 and 80% A --> G transitions with overall mutagenic frequencies of 59 and 90%, respectively. Collectively, these data establish a molecular basis for A --> G transitions that are observed following in vivo and in vitro exposures to BD and its epoxides, but fail to reveal the source of the A --> T transversions that are the dominant point mutation.

Animals↗

Dual roles of glycosyl torsion angle conformation and stereochemical configuration in butadiene oxide-derived N1 beta-hydroxyalkyl deoxyinosine adducts: a structural perspective.

The solution structure of the N1-[1-hydroxy-3-buten-2(R)-yl]-2'-deoxyinosine adduct arising from the alkylation of adenine N1 by butadiene epoxide (BDO), followed by deamination to deoxyinosine, was determined in the oligodeoxynucleotide 5'-d(CGGACXAGAAG)-3'.5'-d(CTTCTTGTCCG)-3'. This oligodeoxynucleotide contained the BDO adduct at the second position of codon 61 of the human N-ras protooncogene (underlined) and was named the ras61 R-N1-BDO-(61,2) adduct. 1H NMR revealed a weak C5 H1' to X6 H8 nuclear Overhauser effects (NOE), followed by an intense X6 H8 to X6 H1' NOE. Simultaneously, the X6 H8 to X6 H3' NOE was weak. The resonances arising from the T16 and T17 imino protons were not observed. 1H NOEs between the butadiene moiety and the DNA positioned the adduct in the major groove. Structural refinement based upon a total of 394 NOE-derived distance restraints and 151 torsion angle restraints yielded a structure in which the modified deoxyinosine was in the syn conformation about the glycosyl bond, with a glycosyl bond angle of 83 degrees , and T17, the complementary nucleotide, was stacked into the helix but not hydrogen bonded with the adducted inosine. The refined structure provides a plausible hypothesis as to why these N1 deoxyinosine adducts strongly code for the incorporation of dCTP during trans lesion DNA replication, irrespective of stereochemistry, both in Escherichia coli [Rodriguez, D. A., Kowalczyk, A., Ward, J. B. J., Harris, C. M., Harris, T. M., and Lloyd, R. S. (2001) Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 38, 292-296] and in mammalian cells [Kanuri, M., Nechev, L. N., Tamura, P. J., Harris, C. M., Harris, T. M., and Lloyd, R. S. (2002) Chem. Res. Toxicol. 15, 1572-1580]. Rotation of the N1 deoxyinosine adduct into the syn conformation may facilitate incorporation of dCTP via Hoogsteen type templating with deoxyinosine, generating A to G mutations. However, conformational differences between the R- and the S-N1-BDO-(61,2) adducts, involving the positioning of the butenyl moiety in the major groove of DNA, suggest that adduct stereochemistry plays a secondary role in modulating the biological response to these adducts.

Alkylation↗

Mutagenic potential of guanine N2 adducts of butadiene mono- and diolepoxide.

To explore the role of guanine N(2) adducts of stereoisomeric butadiene metabolites in butadiene-induced mutagenesis, 11-mer deoxyoligonucleotides were prepared containing adducts of (R)- and (S)-monoepoxide and (R,R)- and (S,S)-diolepoxide. These adducted oligonucleotides were utilized in both in vivo and in vitro experiments designed to examine the mutagenic potency of each and their replication by Escherichia coli polymerases. Each of the four adducted deoxyoligonucleotides was ligated into a single-stranded M13mp7L2 vector and transfected into E. coli. The resulting plaques were screened for misincorporation at position 2 of the N-ras 12 codon. Although the mutagenic frequencies were low, different relative mutagenicities of the various stereoisomers were discernible. In addition, the biological effects of each adduct on the three major E. coli polymerases were determined via primer extension assays. The adducted 11-mers were ligated into a 60-mer linear DNA molecule to provide a sufficiently long template for primer elongation. All four guanine adducts were determined to be blocking to each of the three polymerases via primer extension assays.

Base Sequence↗

Genetic alterations in brain tumors following 1,3-butadiene exposure in B6C3F1 mice.

The nervous system of the B6C3F1 mouse has rarely been a target for chemical carcinogenesis in the National Toxicology Program (NTP) bioassays. However, 6 malignant gliomas and 2 neuroblastomas were observed in B6C3F1 mice exposed to 625 ppm 1,3-butadiene (NTP technical reports 288 and 434). These mouse brain tumors were evaluated with regard to the profile of genetic alterations that are observed in human brain tumors. Alterations in the p53 tumor suppressor gene were common. Missense mutations were observed in 3/6 malignant gliomas and 2/2 neuroblastomas and were associated with loss of heterozygosity. Most of the mutations occurred in exons 5-8 of the p53 gene and were G-->A transitions, and did not involve CpG sites. Loss of heterozygosity at the Ink4a/Arf gene locus was observed in 5/5 malignant gliomas and 1/1 neuroblastoma, while the PTEN(phosphatase and tensin homologue) gene locus was unaffected by deletions. One of 2 neuroblastomas had a mutation in codon 61 of H-ras, while H-ras mutations were not observed in the malignant gliomas examined. Only 1 brain tumor has been reported from control mice of over 500 NTP studies. This malignant glioma showed no evidence of alterations in the p53 gene or K- and H-ras mutations. It is likely that the specific genetic alterations observed were induced or selected for by 1,3-butadiene treatment that contributed to the development of mouse brain tumors. The observed findings are similar in part to the genetic alterations reported in human brain tumors.

Animals↗

Effects of the smoking ban on benzene and 1,3-butadiene levels in pubs in Dublin.

According to World Health Organisation figures, 30% of all cancer deaths, 20% of all coronary heart diseases and strokes and 80% of all chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are caused by cigarette smoking. In accordance with the recommendations of the Tobacco Free Policy Review Group Report the Irish government has introduced a smoking ban in all workplaces with the exception of prisons and psychiatric hospitals. This study measured the levels of benzene and 1,3-butadiene in air, two known carcinogens and environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) markers, in pubs both before and after the smoking ban was introduced. The results of the study have quantified the significant gross differences in pre and post ban exposure levels. The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP), Human Respiratory Tract model for Radiological Protection has then been adopted to assess the amounts of these pollutants typically absorbed in the nose, throat and lungs of the workers and patrons of pubs in Ireland before and after the smoking ban. This has revealed a reduction in the average dose of benzene and 1,3-butadiene of 91% and 95% respectively for a typical three hour exposure in Irish pub.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗

Inhalation toxicity studies with 1,3-butadiene. 3. Two year toxicity/carcinogenicity study in rats.

Groups of 110 male and 110 female CD (Sprague-Dawley) rats were exposed to atmospheres containing 0 (control), 1000 or 8000 ppm v/v butadiene for 6 hr/day and 5 days/week. Ten of each sex from each group were killed at 52 weeks. The study was terminated when it was predicted that survival would drop to 20% to 25% (105 weeks for females and 111 weeks for males). High dose rats had wet, ruffled fur and showed slight incoordination during the first exposure each week. During the second year, mortality in both treated female groups was increased because of humanitarian sacrifice of animals with large subcutaneous masses, while increased mortality in the high dose males was accompanied by an increase of the severity of nephropathy. Body weight was slightly lower than controls in both sexes at the high dose, but statistically significant only over the first 12 weeks. There were no effects in hematological analyses or tests of neuromuscular function that definitely could be associated with treatment. Liver weights at both doses were increased in both sexes with no associated pathological change. Kidney weight was increased in males at the high dose, together with an increase in the severity of nephrosis. There were increases in the incidences of pancreatic exocrine adenoma (high dose, male); uterine sarcoma (both doses, female); Zymbal gland carcinoma (high dose, female); mammary tumors (both doses, female); thyroid follicular cell tumors; and testis Leydig-cell tumors (high dose). These data suggest that butadiene is a weak oncogen to the rat under the conditions of exposure used in this study.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Molecular analysis of lacI mutants from bone marrow of B6C3F1 transgenic mice following inhalation exposure to 1,3-butadiene.

Chronic exposure to 1,3-butadiene (BD) results in early occurrence and high incidence of lethal lymphomas in male B6C3F1 mice. Male B6C3F1 lacI transgenic mice (BigBlue) were exposed by inhalation to 0, 62.5, 625 or 1250 p.p.m. BD for 4 weeks (6 h/day, 5 days/week). The lacI- mutant frequency and mutational spectrum were evaluated in DNA isolated from bone marrow cells. Two weeks after exposure the lacI- mutant frequency in bone marrow from BD-exposed mice had increased 2- to 3.5-fold over air control mice. DNA sequence analysis of 56 and 54 lacI- mutants from the air control and butadiene-exposed groups, respectively, demonstrated that there was a shift in the spectrum of base substitution mutations at A:T sites in BD-exposed mice (6/26) compared to the air control mice (2/45). A:T-->T:A transversions were found only in BD-exposed animals. Sequence data also indicate that clonal expansion, a natural process in hematopoiesis, can contribute to the lacI- mutant frequency from bone marrow cells such that mutant frequency and mutation frequency are not equivalent. This study shows that BD is mutagenic in B6C3F1 transgenic mouse bone marrow, causing a shift in the mutation spectrum at A:T base pairs in BD-exposed mice compared to air control mice. Sequencing DNA from lacI- mutants from transgenic animals, to determine mutant/mutation frequency and mutational spectra after subchronic bioassay-like exposure conditions, will aid in linking exposure, dose and biological response for genetic risk assessment of BD.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Dithiocarbamates as potential confounders in butadiene epidemiology.

Hematopoietic neoplasms associated with occupational exposure to 1,3-butadiene (BD) have been the subject of controversy. This has largely been due to the inconsistent results of epidemiology studies that have reported alternatively no or weak associations between exposure to BD and hematopoietic neoplasms. Moreover, the specificity of association of BD exposure with individual leukemia types remains unclear. In addition, a distinct difference in the pattern of leukemia risk has been observed between workers employed in BD monomer production and those involved in styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) production: with no increase in leukemia risk observed for exposure to BD monomer alone. These observations are consistent with an increase in leukemia risk associated with the SBR process but not BD monomer and suggest the possibility that the increase may be the result of exposure to confounding factors previously not considered. In this regard, evidence is accumulating to suggest that SBR studies may be confounded by the presence of an important class of biologically active chemicals employed in the rubber industry, dithiocarbamates. The hematotoxicity and immunotoxicity of dithiocarbamates have been implicated in a wide range of clinical, animal and molecular studies, and an extremely high concordance exists between the risk of developing leukemia in SBR production and opportunity for exposure to this class of agents. Based on these findings additional studies on the epidemiology, carcinogenesis and molecular biology of dithiocarbamates are clearly warranted.

Butadienes↗

Human sensitivity to 1,3-butadiene: role of microsomal epoxide hydrolase polymorphisms.

1,3-Butadiene (BD) is a major commodity chemical used in the manufacture of synthetic rubber and various plastics and has been shown to be a potent animal carcinogen and a probable human carcinogen. The bioactivation of BD to reactive epoxides, and the balance between activation and detoxication of these reactive metabolites, is thought to play a critical role in the genotoxic and carcinogenic effects of BD. The detoxication of reactive BD metabolites involves enzymatic conjugation with glutathione by glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) and by hydrolysis, a reaction mediated by microsomal epoxide hydrolase (mEH). Since polymorphisms in genes of xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes such as mEH may influence individual susceptibility to adverse health effects from BD exposure, we tested the hypothesis that the mEH Tyr113His polymorphism increases sensitivity to the genotoxic effects of BD in exposed workers. We used the autoradiographic hprt mutant lymphocyte assay as a biomarker of effect to identify genotoxicity associated with BD exposure in 49 workers from two styrene/butadiene polymer plants in Southeast Texas. Exposure to BD was assessed by collecting breathing zone air samples using passive badge dosimeters for three full 12 h work shifts 25, 20 and 14 days before blood was collected for genotyping and for the hprt assay. We genotyped the study participants for the Tyr113His polymorphism in the mEH gene and also for deletion polymorphisms in the glutathione S-transferase genes, GSTM1 and GSTT1, as potential biomarkers of susceptibility to BD. Our data indicate that the majority of the study subjects (67%) were exposed to very low levels of BD of <150 parts per billion (p.p.b.) time-weighted average (TWA). In some workers, however, we found levels of BD exposures that exceeded a TWA of 2000 p.p.b. Our data indicate a significant (P < 0.05) 2-fold increase in frequencies of hprt variant (mutant) lymphocytes (Vf) in workers exposed to >150 p.p.b. BD, compared with workers exposed to <150 p.p.b. There was no significant effect from individual GSTM1, GSTT1 or mEH genotypes in workers exposed to <150 p.p.b. BD. In workers exposed to >150 p.p.b., individuals with at least one polymorphic mEH His allele (His/His or His/Tyr genotypes) had a significant (P < 0.001) 3-fold increase in Vf (mean Vf x 10(-6) +/- SE = 13.25 +/- 1.78) compared with individuals with the Tyr/Tyr genotype (mean Vf x 10(-6) +/- SE = 4.02 +/- 0.72). There was no significant effect from individual GSTM1 or GSTT1 polymorphisms, but combined polymorphism analysis showed that the genetic damage was highest in individuals who had at least one mEH His allele and either the GSTM1 and/or GSTT1 null genotypes (hprt Vf = 14.19 +/- 2.30 x10(-6)). In contrast, this response was not observed in individuals exposed to levels of BD < 150 p.p.b. These results indicate that polymorphisms in the mEH gene may play a significant role in human sensitivity to the genotoxic effects of BD exposure, and that the hprt mutant lymphocyte assay can serve as a sensitive biomarker of genotoxicity for monitoring occupational exposure to BD in industrial settings. Additional investigations in larger populations of workers are needed to confirm our results and to characterize the possible role of additional mEH polymorphisms in the induction of genetic damage associated with occupational exposure to butadiene.

Alleles↗

Analysis of low molecular weight hydrocarbons including 1,3-butadiene in engine exhaust gases using an aluminum oxide porous-layer open-tubular fused-silica column.

A method for the quantitative analysis of individual hydrocarbons in the C1-C8 range emitted in engine exhaust gases is described. The procedure provides base-line or near base-line resolution of C4 components including 1,3-butadiene. With a run time of less than 50 min, the light aromatics (benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, p- and m-xylene, and o-xylene) are resolved during the same analysis as aliphatic hydrocarbons in the C1-C8 range. It is shown that typical 1,3-butadiene levels in engine exhaust are about 5 ppm at each of two engine conditions. Aromatic hydrocarbon levels show a dependence on engine operating conditions, benzene being about 20 ppm at high speed and about 40 ppm at idle.

Aluminum Oxide↗

Haemoglobin adducts as biomarkers of occupational exposure to 1,3-butadiene.

Adducts of 1,2-epoxy-3-butene (EB) with haemoglobin were monitored in 17 workers from the 1,3-butadiene (BD) production unit of a petrochemical plant and in nine referents employed at the same factory but not exposed to BD. The air concentrations of BD were determined using stationary and personal monitoring. The ambient level of exposure of the plant workers handling butadiene containers (sampling and voiding) was on average 11.2 +/- 18.6 (mean +/- SD) mg/m3. Maintenance and laboratory workers were exposed to levels < or = 1.2 mg/m3. The particular haemoglobin adduct measured was 2-hydroxy-3-butenylvaline, formed by reaction of N-terminal valine with carbon 1 in EB. The adduct levels were increased (0.16 +/- 0.099 pmol/g; n = 10) in plant workers compared with the levels in maintenance and laboratory workers and controls (approximately 0.05 pmol/g; seven laboratory workers and nine controls evaluated). Thus, the method used for adduct determination--derivatization of 200-300 mg globin samples with penta-fluorophenyl isothiocyanate according to the N-alkyl Edman method and detection of the thiohydantoin derivatives by tandem mass spectrometry--is sufficiently sensitive to allow monitoring of exposure to BD down to the p.p.m. level.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Variability in human sensitivity to 1,3-butadiene: influence of polymorphisms in the 5'-flanking region of the microsomal epoxide hydrolase gene (EPHX1).

The carcinogenic effects of 1,3-butadiene (BD), a mutagenic chemical widely used in the manufacture of synthetic rubber, are likely initiated through its epoxide metabolites. In humans, these epoxides are detoxified predominantly by hydrolysis, a reaction mediated by the microsomal epoxide hydrolase (mEH; EPHX1) enzyme. It appears reasonable to hypothesize that BD-exposed individuals possessing lower mEH detoxification capacity may have elevated risk of adverse health effects. The interindividual levels of mEH enzymatic activity vary considerably, and polymorphisms in the mEH gene may contribute to this variability. In addition to the well-studied coding region polymorphisms encoding Tyr113His and His139Arg substitutions, seven other polymorphic sites in the 5'-flanking region of the mEH gene have been reported. These polymorphisms appear to differentially affect mEH gene transcriptional activities. The 5'-flanking region polymorphisms exist in two linkages, the -200 linkage (-200C/T, -259C/T, -290T/G) and the -600 linkage (-362A/G, -613T/C, -699T/C), whereas the -399T/C polymorphism exists as an independent site. Because these polymorphisms may affect total mEH enzymatic activity, we hypothesized that they influence the mutagenic response associated with occupational exposure to BD. We genotyped the 5'-region of the mEH gene in 49 non-smoking workers from two styrene-butadiene rubber facilities in southeast Texas and evaluated the linkage patterns against results obtained from an autoradiographic HPRT mutant lymphocyte assay, used as a biomarker of genotoxic effect. In the study population, 67% were exposed to low BD levels, <150 parts per billion, and 33% were exposed to >150 ppb. We used the observed HPRT mutant (variant) frequency (VF) in the studied population and a 4-way first-order interaction statistical model to estimate parameters that describe the influence of exposure, genotypes and the interaction between the two on the HPRT VF in the target population. The background (baseline) VF, defined as the VF (x 10(-6)) +/- S.E.M. at low levels of BD exposure (<150 ppb) where all the genotypes under study are homozygous wild-type, was estimated to be 4.02 +/- 1.32. Exposure to >150 ppb of BD alone resulted in an estimated increase in VF of 3.42 +/- 2.47 above the baseline level. Inheritance of the variant ATT allele in the -600 linkages resulted in an estimated increase in VF of 3.39 +/- 1.67 above the baseline level. When the interaction between BD exposure and the ATT allele in the -600 linkage group was considered, a statistically significant positive interaction was observed, with an estimated increase in the VF of 10.89 +/- 2.16 (95% CI = 6.56-15.20; p = 0.0027) above baseline. These new data confirm and extend our previous findings that sensitivity to the genotoxic effects of BD is inversely correlated with predicted mEH activity.

5' Flanking Region↗