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The induction of chromosomal aberrations and SCEs by visible light in combination with dyes. II. Cell cycle dependence, and the effect of hydroxyl radical scavengers during light exposure in cultures of Chinese hamster ovary cells sensitized with acridine orange.

Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells were synchronized by mitotic shake-off, treated with the fluorochrome acridine orange (AO; 0.5 micrograms/ml), washed free of excess dye and subsequently exposed to visible light (2 X 40 W/8 Wm-2). The light exposure was performed on cells in the G1, G1/S, S or G2 phase of the cell cycle. AO + light induced high frequencies of aberration in the S phase and even higher in the G1 phase. The aberrations observed were all of the chromatid type. The chromosome-type aberrations (dicentrics, rings) obtained when cells in the G1 phase were exposed to X-rays were not found after corresponding treatments with AO + light. With the exception of an increased frequency of gaps, no chromosomal aberrations were induced in G2-phase cells. Sister-chromatid exchanges were efficiently produced by the photodynamic system in the G1, G1/S and S phase of the cell cycle. In other experiments, AO-treated unsynchronized CHO cells were exposed to light in the presence of the hydroxyl radical scavengers mannitol (100 mM) and 5-dimethyl thiourea (100 mM). In parallel experiments these scavengers were found to reduce markedly the chromosome breaking effects by X-rays but had no influence on the photodynamic induction of chromosomal alterations. The results presented show that the visible light-induced chromosomal alterations in CHO cells sensitized with the fluorochrome AO are obtained by an S-dependent mechanism. Furthermore, the results indicate that the hydroxyl free radical does not play a major role in the production of chromosomal alterations by AO + light.

Acridine Orange↗

Induction of mitotic crossing-over by the topoisomerase II poison DACA (N-[2-dimethylamino)ethyl]acridine-4-carboxamide) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The antitumor agent DACA (N-[2-dimethylamino)ethyl]acridine-4-carboxamide) a new DNA intercalating topoisomerase II poison, was distinguishable from clinical topoisomerase poisons (amsacrine, daunorubicin, doxorubicin and etoposide) in its induction of aberrant colonies in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae D5. It was not only more recombinogenic, but was recombinogenic at non-toxic drug concentrations. DACA at 680 microM (2-h exposure time), induced 1.2% aberrant colonies of which 0.32% were mitotic crossing-over events. The presence of the rad52 mutation abolished mitotic crossing-over and greatly increased drug toxicity. The concentration for 50% inhibition of survival of the rad52 mutant was 100 microM, as compared with 4900 microM for the wild-type. Drug toxicity was marginally increased by the presence of rad3 and rad18 mutations. Rad3 mutations increased the incidence of crossing-over events but had little effect on other mutagenic or recombinogenic events. In contrast, the rad18 mutation increased the incidence of all types of aberrant colonies. The inclusion of hydroxyurea and caffeine, as non-specific repair inhibitors, caused weak and strong inhibition, respectively, of all types of aberrant colonies. Inclusion of the protein-synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide reduced mitotic cross-over but had little effect on the incidence of other aberrations. It is concluded that DACA induces lesions which are repaired by a recombinational repair pathway involving the RAD52 product, and that RAD3 and RAD18 products are each involved in the generation of recombinational events.

Acridines↗

Age-dependence of heat-induced strand separation of DNA in situ in postmitotic cells of rat brain as revealed by acridine orange microfluorimetry.

Acridine orange microfluorimetry as well as Feulgen microfluorimetry were applied on smears of cerebral and cerebellar cortex of young (2-month-old) and old (24-27-month-old) female Wistar rats. The strand separation of DNA caused by thermal denaturation was measured between 50 degrees and 90 degrees C in the nuclei of cortical nerve cells and cerebellar granular cells. In the young nerve cell nuclei a considerable DNA-loss was observed after thermal denaturation, therefore, corresponding corrections should have been made on the heat denaturation curves. The old nerve cell nuclei of brain cortex showed a much higher heat stability than the young ones, whereas in the cerebellar granular cells the age-dependent difference was much less expressed. Our observations on chromatin in situ show the same tendency as do the findings obtained on isolated chromatin by others. The results are discussed first from a methodical point of view then the arguments are listed suggesting a possible role of interprotein cross-links in the age-dependent stabilization of the chromatin gel.

Acridines↗

Electrical conduction in some nucleic acid base complexes with acridine orange dye: study of localized levels.

Semiconduction activation energies of adenine, guanine, thymine and uracil complexes with acridine orange dye at various dye concentrations were measured in both Ohmic and space charge limited (SCL) current regimes. The behaviour of the complexes is non-extrinsic at high dye concentrations but extrinsic at low dye concentrations. Dominant electron and hole levels are shown to depend also on dye concentration. Various transport parameters have been evaluated.

Acridine Orange↗

Biological effects of dyes on bacteria. VI. Mutation induction by acridine orange and methylene blue in the dark with special reference to Escherichia coli WP6 (polA1).

Acridine orange (AO) and methylene blue (MB) in the dark were shown to be weak to moderate mutagens (induction of resistance to T5 phage) in repair-deficient strains of Escherichia coli B/r. However, strain WP2 (wild-type) was not mutated by AO in the dark, in confirmation of earlier data. The presence of 2 microM AO reduced by 41% the spontaneous mutation rate in strain WP2, from 4.1 to 2.4 mutants/10(8) cells/generation. In the polymerase I-deficient strain WP6 (polA1), 2 microM AO increased the mutation rate in the dark 14-fold. We propose that both spontaneous and AO-induced mutagenesis in the absence of light occur at the site of semiconservative DNA replication. If the intercalation mechanism for the effects in the absence of light is valid, the wild-type strain (WP2) may be resistant to frameshift mutagenesis induced by intercalated compounds, while the polymerase I-deficient strain (WP6) may be highly suceptible to the presence of an intercalated dye such as AO at the DNA-replication fork. MB and AO likely act through different mechanisms since MB is only a moderate mutagen in strain WP6 and the other repair-deficient strains tested.

Acridine Orange↗

Three consistent patterns of response to substituted acridines in a variety of bacterial tester strains used for mutagenicity testing.

91 substituted acridines were tested for mutagenicity in 1 strain of Escherichia coli (TA78) and 4 strains of Salmonella typhimurium (TA90, TA1537, TA98 and TA100). In general, compounds fall into 3 groups: (i) inactive in all strains, (ii) active in TA78, TA90 and TA1537, or (iii) active in TA98 and often one or more of the other frameshift strains. Compounds of class iii have previously been shown to differ from the others in causing excisible damage to DNA and in showing an enhanced mutagenic response when the plasmid pKM101 is present.

Acridines↗

The micronucleus test of methyl methanesulfonate with mouse peripheral blood reticulocytes using acridine orange-coated slides.

The usefulness of the micronucleus assay using mouse peripheral blood erythrocytes and acridine orange (AO)-coated slides was evaluated with methyl methanesulfonate (MMS). The micronucleus test was carried out at doses ranging from 20 to 80 mg/kg body weight in CD-1 mice by intraperitoneal injection. Peripheral blood cells were examined from 0 to 72 h after treatment at 12- or 24-h intervals. Bone marrow cells from other mice treated with 80 mg/kg MMS were also sampled at the same times. The frequency of micronucleated reticulocytes (MNRETs) increased dose-dependently at every sampling time except 72 h, and the maximum frequency of MNRETs was observed at about 36 h after treatment. Micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCEs) in bone marrow after a dose of 80 mg/kg were significantly induced at 12 h to 36 h, and the maximum frequency of MNPCEs was observed at 24 h after treatment. The induction of MNRETs was delayed by about 12 h compared to that of MNPCEs in bone marrow, and the maximum frequencies of MNRETs were lower than those of MNPCEs, but the induction of MNRETs by MMS was significant and dose-dependent. It is concluded, therefore, that bone marrow cells could be replaced by peripheral blood cells as material for the micronucleus assay using AO-coated slides.

Acridine Orange↗

Bovine leukocyte phagocytosis and bacteria killing monitored by intracellular acridine orange fluorescence and extracellular fluorescence quenching.

The time course of phagocytosis and intracellular killing of serum-opsonized Escherichia coli K12 and Staphylococcus aureus SG511 by glass-adherent bovine peripheral blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) and cultured monocytes (macrophages) was monitored by fluorescence microscopy of single cells using the acridine orange (AO)/crystal violet (CV) technique. After interaction of glass-adherent leukocytes (20, 40, 60 min, 37 degrees C) with opsonized bacteria, cells were stained with the fluorescent dye AO. Living bacteria stained green, dead bacteria stained orange. The addition of CV to AO-stained bacteria quenched the fluorescence of extracellular bacteria only. CV does not penetrate living bovine PMNLs which allows the discrimination of ingested (fluorescent) and extracellular (nonfluorescent) bacteria during attachment and phagocytosis of bacteria by adherent PMNLs. We investigated quantitatively phagocytosis and intracellular killing of serum-opsonized bacteria by bovine PMNLs from 22 bulls of 4 different Swiss dairy breeds. Within 60 min maximum uptake (approximately 12 bacteria/PMNL) and killing (approximately 80%) of serum-opsonized Escherichia coli K12 and Staphylococcus aureus SG511 were achieved. The AO/CV technique was also used to quantify the uptake and intracellular killing of serum-opsonized Escherichia coli K12 by cultured monocytes (macrophages). Within 60 min maximum uptake of bacteria (approximately 16/MO) was achieved; approximately 83% of bacteria were killed.

Acridine Orange↗

The micronucleus assay with mouse peripheral blood reticulocytes using acridine orange-coated slides.

Ultra-vital staining with acridine orange (AO) is introduced into the micronucleus assay with mouse peripheral blood cells. Peripheral blood was stained vitally by dropping whole blood on an AO-coated slide and covering the sample with a coverslip. With this method, reticulocytes are identified easily by their red fluorescing reticulum structure. The distinction between young and mature erythrocytes was clearer and less subjective than the distinction between polychromatic and normochromatic erythrocytes by Giemsa staining or by conventional AO fluorescent staining. Although the induction of micronucleated peripheral reticulocytes (MNRETs) was delayed by about 12 h compared to that of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCEs) in the bone marrow, the frequencies of MNRETs and MNPCEs were almost identical at each optimal sampling time. It is concluded that bone marrow cells can be replaced by peripheral blood as material for the micronucleus assay.

Acridine Orange↗

Choline and halogen derivatives of CMA (9-oxo-10-acridine acetic acids) as tools for monitoring the interaction of the interferon inducers via a specific receptor.

New choline and halogen derivatives of CMA (9-oxo-10-acridine acetic acid) were investigated as interferon (IFN) inducers in mice and in the mouse bone marrow-derived macrophage cultures. Two of the choline derivatives, DMCMA and CSCMA, were active IFN inducers presumably because they were hydrolyzed so as to release CMA. The halogen analogues of CMA were inactive or weak IFN inducers in vivo and in vitro. On the contrary, the Br and I derivatives of CMA were potent inhibitors of IFN induction by CMA in vitro. The behavior of the agonists and antagonists of CMA suggests that the induction of interferon may occur indirectly via a specific CMA-receptor complex.

Acridines↗

Acridine orange staining reaction as an index of physiological activity in Escherichia coli.

The assumption that the acridine orange (AO) color reaction may be used as an index of physiological activity was investigated in laboratory grown Escherichia coli. Spectrofluorometric observations of purified nucleic acids, ribosomes and the microscopic color of bacteriophage-infected cells stained with AO confirmed the theory that single-stranded nucleic acids emit orange to red fluorescence while those that are double-stranded fluoresce green in vivo. Bacteria growing actively in a rich medium could be distinguished from cells in stationary phase by the AO reaction. Cells from log phase appeared red, whereas those in stationary phase were green. However, this differentiation was not seen when the bacteria were grown in a minimal medium or when a variation of the staining method was used. Also, shifting bacteria in stationary phase to starvation conditions rapidly changed their AO staining reaction. Boiling and exposure to lethal concentrations of azide and formalin resulted in stationary-phase cells that appeared red after staining but bacteria killed with chlorine remained green. These findings indicate that the AO staining reaction may be suggestive of physiological activity under defined conditions. However, variables in staining and fixation procedures as well as uncertainties associated with mixed bacterial populations in environmental samples may produce results that are not consistent with the classical interpretation of this reaction. The importance of validating the putative physiological implications of this staining reaction is stressed.

Acridine Orange↗

The effect of 3,6-bis(2-piperidinoethoxy) acridine trihydrochloride (CL 246, 738) on acute graft vs host reactions in mice.

3,6-Bis (piperidinoethoxy) acridine trihydrochloride (CL 246, 738) prevented the development of graft vs host (GVH) disease in normal BDF1 mice injected with C57BL/6 parental spleen cells. A single oral dose (50 mg/kg) given on day 0 or day -1 of GVH induction prevented the day 10 GVH-associated suppression of mitogen responsiveness and IL-2 production. The drug was ineffective if given later (days 3-7) in the reaction. The protective effect of CL 246,738 was neutralized by injecting drug-treated GVH mice with antibody to asialo GM-1 (ASGM-1). This suggested that the protective mechanism was not due to a direct effect of the drug on donor cells but rather was achieved indirectly through the activation of host ASGM-1+ cells which then rejected donor lymphocytes. This hypothesis was supported by immunofluorescence which showed that the donor-host chimerism seen in control GVH mice was not found in drug-treated GVH mice. Direct verification of this hypothesis was provided by data which showed that the transfer of CL 246, 738-activated large granular lymphocytes from normal F1 mice can prevent donor-induced immunosuppression in GVH mice. The results suggest that CL 246,738 is a potent immunostimulant which can boost natural resistance of normal unirradiated mice.

Acridines↗

Cell line selectivity and DNA breakage properties of the antitumour agent N-[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]acridine-4-carboxamide: role of DNA topoisomerase II.

N-[2-(Dimethylamino)ethyl]acridine-4-carboxamide (NSC 601316) is a DNA intercalating experimental antitumour agent which is curative against the Lewis lung carcinoma in mice. Its action has been compared with amsacrine, its inactive isomer oAMSA, the solid tumour active derivative CI-921 (NSC 343499), a C-6 methylene chain-linked bisacridine (NSC 210733), 9-aminoacridine and quinacrine. All compounds inhibited the unknotting of phage P4 DNA by topoisomerase II in nuclear extracts prepared from L1210 cells. NSC 601316 inhibited growth of cultured L1210, P388, P/AMSA (P388 resistant to amsacrine) and P/ACTD (resistant to actinomycin D) cell lines at concentrations of 87, 150, 2020 and 150 nM respectively. A 1 h drug exposure to 0.85 microM NSC 601316 killed 50% of L1210 cells. L1210 cells treated for 1 h with NSC 601316 accumulated DNA breaks and protein-DNA cross-links. There was a good correlation between DNA breakage and cytotoxicity, but the relationship between drug concentration and number of protein-DNA cross-links was non-linear and differed from that of amsacrine and CI-921. There was also a positive correlation between the degree of cross-resistance of P/AMSA cells (which have altered topoisomerase II function) and ability to induce DNA breakage or protein-DNA complexes. The results suggest that topoisomerase II is the target of action of NSC 601316.

Acridines↗

A phase I study of immunostimulation and toxicity in patients with colorectal carcinoma using the immunomodulator 3,6-bis(2-piperidinoethoxy) acridine trihydrochloride (CL 246738).

Seventeen patients with residual or recurrent colorectal carcinoma were given a new synthetic immunomodulator [3,6-bis(2-piperidinoethoxy) acridine trihydrochloride CL246738) as part of a phase I clinical trial. No patients had undergone previous immunotherapy or chemotherapy. Detailed immunological studies including interferon levels, interleukin 2 levels, natural killer cell function, mitogen responses of lymphocytes, immunoglobulin levels and lymphocyte subpopulation levels were analysed in the patients who received this drug in an attempt to find out whether there was any biological activity identifiable in humans. None of the subjects showed any significant increases in post treatment values of the immunological parameters studied. Toxic effects of the drug at high doses included nausea, diarrhoea and decreased levels of consciousness. In conclusion, no immunological effects were identified following the administration of CL 246738 in human subjects with recurrent or residual colorectal cancer.

Acridines↗

Comparative tumor-initiating ability of 7H-dibenzo(c,g)carbazole and dibenz(a,j)acridine in mouse skin.

N-heterocyclic aromatics are environmentally important carcinogenic pollutants produced by incomplete combustion of organic material. 7H-Dibenzo-(c,g)carbazole (DBC), is a potent skin and systemic carcinogen, whereas dibenz(a,j)acridine (DBA), is a carcinogen with local effects. Therefore, the overall objective of these studies was to determine the initiating ability of DBC and DBA in mouse skin using an initiation-promotion protocol. Acetone-, TPA- or BaP-treated animals were used as negative and positive controls, respectively. DBC, DBA or BaP (200 nmol) dissolved in acetone was applied once to the backs of thirty shaved Hsd:(ICR)Br female mice, followed 2 weeks later with 2 micrograms of TPA in 50 microliters of acetone applied twice a week for up to 24 weeks. Skin tumors developed in 26, 17 and 27 animals, respectively. DBC plus TPA produced a significant influx of dermal macrophages similar to that seen for BaP. Initiation with BaP, DBC or DBA moderated the effect of TPA on most other dermal parameters, particularly neutrophils. These data indicate that, DBC, with apparently different activation pathways than BaP shows similar tumor initiating ability and morphological changes as BaP.

Acetone↗

Carcinogenicity of 7H-dibenzo[c,g]carbazole, dibenz[a,j]acridine and benzo[a]pyrene in mouse skin and liver following topical application.

N-Heterocyclic aromatics are by-products of incomplete combustion of organic material. The overall objective of this study was to determine the relative carcinogenic potencies of 7H-dibenzo[c,g]carbazole (DBC) and dibenz[a,j]acridine (DBA) in a bioassay of complete carcinogenicity on mouse skin in a sensitive strain (Hsd:ICR(Br)) which has been used in metabolism and DNA binding studies of N-heterocyclic aromatics. No-treatment, acetone and benzo[a]pyrene (BaP)-treated animals were used as negative and positive control groups. DBC (50 nmol), DBA (50 nmol), BaP (50 nmol) or DBC plus BaP (25 nmol + 25 nmol) were applied twice weekly in 50 microliters acetone to the backs of 50 female mice/group for 99 weeks or until the appearance of a tumor. DBC, DBA, BaP and DBC plus BaP produced skin tumors in 43, 32, 49 and 42 of 50 mice each based on weekly visual observations with latent periods of 55.1, 62.2, 33.4 and 33.8 weeks, respectively. The histopathology data indicated primary skin lesions in 42, 27, 48 and 47 mice for DBC, DBA, BaP and DBC plus BaP, respectively. In addition, primary liver lesions in 37 mice were present in the DBC group. The morphological and morphometric data indicated a significant increase (P < or = 0.05) in mononuclear cells in the dermis for the BaP and DBC plus BaP groups relative to the control group. Significant increases (P < or = 0.05) were observed in the nuclear area, nucleoli per nucleus and cellular area of hepatocytes in the DBC treatment group relative to the control group. These data indicate that DBC is a potent liver carcinogen as well as a skin carcinogen following topical application.

Acridines↗

Mechanism of acridine orange interaction with phospholipids and proteins in renal microvillus vesicles.

The mechanism of interaction of acridine orange (AO), a fluorescent, weak base, with rabbit kidney brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV) has been studied by absorption, and steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. Equilibrium binding experiments indicate that AO binds to an apparent single class of sites on BBMV with a dissociation constant of 90 microM and site stoichiometry of 810 nmol/mg protein. The absorption spectra AO indicate that BBMV induces aggregation of AO; experiments with lipid vesicles show that the aggregation requires BBMV membrane proteins. Fluorescence stopped-flow experiments in which 0.15 mg/ml BBMV is mixed with increasing concentrations of AO result in a time course of fluorescence enhancement for [AO] less than 1.5 microM, and of fluorescence quenching for [AO] greater than 1.5 microM. Similar stopped-flow experiments with phosphatidylcholine lipid vesicles result only in a fluorescence enhancement time course. These results indicate the presence of two parallel pathways for AO binding to BBMV: one for AO binding to BBMV lipid, the other for AO binding to BBMV protein. Nanosecond lifetime measurements and fluorescence titration experiments confirm the presence of two environments for AO in BBMV. Fluorescence stopped-flow experiments indicate that AO responds to the imposition of an outwardly directed proton gradient by a rapid (less than 0.5 s) decrease in fluorescence, corresponding to re-equilibration of AO into the acidic intravesicular compartment, followed by an increase in fluorescence, corresponding to proton flux across the membrane. These findings have been incorporated into a stepwise mechanism for AO interaction with BBMV which have direct implications for the use of AO as a pH indicator in biological systems.

Acridine Orange↗

The metabolism of dibenz[a,j]acridine in the isolated perfused lung.

The metabolism of the carcinogenic N-heterocyclic aromatic, dibenz[a,j]-acridine (DB[a,j]A), was investigated in an isolated perfused rabbit lung preparation. The rate of metabolism of DB[a,j]A was less than the rate of metabolism of 7H-dibenzo[c,g]carbazole (DB[c,g]C) in the untreated and corn oil-pretreated animals. A significantly increased rate of metabolism was observed for DB[a,j]A in benzo[a]pyrene(B[a]P)-pretreated animals. This resulted in marked increases in conjugation and distribution of conjugates and total metabolites in blood and lung. Two major metabolites characterized spectroscopically were assigned as the 3,4-dihydrodiol and a phenol of DB[a,j]A. The results indicate that in the lung DB[a,j]A is metabolized in a manner similar to that of B[a]P.

Acridines↗