Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “synonymous mutation”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,207 records · Page 67Linked to original sources

Comparison of three methods for estimating rates of synonymous and nonsynonymous nucleotide substitutions.

Three frequently used methods for estimating the synonymous and nonsynonymous substitution rates (Ks and Ka) were evaluated and compared for their accuracies; these methods are denoted by LWL85, LPB93, and GY94, respectively. For this purpose, we used a codon-evolution model to obtain the expected Ka and Ks values for the above three methods and compared the values with those obtained by the three methods. We also proposed some modifications of LWL85 and LPB93 to increase their accuracies. Our computer simulations under the codon-evolution model showed that for sequences < or =300 codons, the performance of GY94 may not be reliable. For longer sequences, GY94 is more accurate for estimating the Ka/Ks ratio than the modified LPB93 and LWL85 in the majority of the cases studied. This is particularly so when k > or = 3, which is the transition/transversion (mutation) rate ratio. However, when k is approximately 2 and when the sequence divergence is relatively large, the modified LWL85 performed better than GY94 and the modified LPB93. The inferiority of LPB93 to LWL85 is surprising because LPB93 was intended to improve LWL85. Also, it has been thought that the codon-based method of GY94 is better than the heuristic method of LWL85, but our simulation results showed that in many cases, the opposite was true, even though our simulation was based on the codon-evolution model.

Codon↗

Alternate paths of evolution for the photosynthetic gene rbcL in four nonphotosynthetic species of Orobanche.

We have determined the nucleotide sequence for the Rubisco large subunit from four holoparasitic species of Orobanche. Intact open reading frames are present in two species (O. corymbosa and O. fasciculata), whereas the remaining species (O. cernua and O. ramosa) have rbcL pseudogenes. Sequences for rbcL 5'-UTRs from species of Orobanche have few changes in the promoter and ribosome binding sites compared to photosynthetic higher plants. Comparison of rbcL 3'-UTR sequences for Nicotiana, Ipomoea, Cuscuta, and Orobanche reveal that nucleotide sequences from parasitic plants have regions capable of forming stem-loop structures, but 56-69 nt are deleted upstream of the stem-loop in the parasitic plants compared to their photosynthetic relatives. Although rbcL pseudogenes of O. cernua and O. ramosa have many large and small deletions, few indels are shared in common, implying that their common ancestor probably had an intact rbcL reading frame. Intact rbcL reading frames in O. corymbosa and O. fasciculata retain a bias of synonymous over nonsynonymous substitutions and deduced protein sequences are consistent with potentially functional Rubisco large subunit proteins. A conservative model of random substitution processes in pseudogene sequences estimates that the probability is low (P < 0.028) that these sequences would retain an open reading frame by chance. Species of Orobanche have either had recent photosynthetic ancestors, implying multiple independent losses of photosynthesis in this genus, or the rbcL gene may serve an unknown function in some nonphotosynthetic plants.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Analysis of diversity of nucleotide and amino acid distributions in the VD and DJ joining regions in Ig heavy chains.

Nucleotide fill-in between the germ line V, D and J genes in the H3 loop of immunoglobulins contributes to the diversity of the antibody repertoire. This fill-in process is mediated by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT), which has been widely believed to insert nucleotides in a random fashion. Using a database of 2443 immunoglobulin sequences, we identified the regions of nucleotide fill-in between the V-D and D-J gene regions. We translated the fill-in nucleotides and measured the diversity within the two regions both at the nucleotide and amino acid level. We found that the nucleotide and amino acid distributions that resulted from nucleotide fill-in were in fact not random. Examination of the synonymous substitution rates of nucleotides revealed evidence suggesting that TdT plays a less significant role in generating antibody diversity than previously thought. We observed preferences for polar residues, which are more likely to encourage interaction with ligand than non-polar residues and are often found in loop regions in general. We also observed a preference for the insertion of smaller residues versus larger residues of similar biochemical properties, aiding in loop flexibility. We interpret these findings to reflect the significant influence of biochemical (i.e. folding) constraints and/or binding affinity constraints (at the cellular/selectional level) on the sequence diversity in the H3 region. These constraints act as a filter on the randomness generated by nucleotide addition by TdT, as well as other diversity generating processes such as recombination of VDJ gene segments and somatic mutation. The results of this study suggest that the antibody repertoire might be reduced from what is traditionally believed.

Animals↗

NTP Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of 1-Chloro-2-propanol (Technical Grade) (CAS NO. 127-00-4) in F344/N Rats and B6C3F1 Mice (Drinking Water Studies.

1-Chloro-2-propanol and its positional isomer, 2-chloro-1-propanol, are used as chemical intermediates for the manufacture of propylene oxide, a starting material for production of polyurethane polyols and propylene glycol. The National Cancer Institute nominated 1-chloro-2-propanol for study because of potential for human exposure due to its residues in various foods that are fumigated with ethylene oxide or propylene oxide. Male and female F344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice were exposed to technical grade 1-chloro-2-propanol (75% to 76%% 1-chloro-2-propanol; 24% to 25%% 2-chloro-1-propanol) in drinking water for 14 days, 14 weeks, or 2 years. Genetic toxicology studies were conducted in Salmonella typhimurium, cultured Chinese hamster ovary cells, Drosophila melanogaster, and mouse peripheral blood erythrocytes. Continuous breeding studies were conducted in Sprague-Dawley rats. 14-DAY STUDY IN RATS: Groups of 10 male and 10 female F344/N rats were administered 1-chloro-2-propanol in drinking water at concentrations of 0, 100, 330, 1,000, 3,300, or 10,000 ppm for 14 days. Two 10,000 ppm females died before the end of the study. The final mean body weights and body weight gains of 3,300 and 10,000 ppm rats were significantly less than those of the controls; rats in the 10,000 ppm groups lost weight. Water consumption by the 3,300 and 10,000 ppm groups was significantly less than that by the controls throughout the study. The thymus weights of 10,000 ppm rats were significantly less than those of the controls. Exposure to 1-chloro-2-propanol caused cytoplasmic alteration and degeneration of the acinar cells and fatty change in the pancreas, atrophy of the bone marrow, and atrophy and hematopoiesis of the spleen in males and females. 14-DAY STUDY IN MICE: Groups of 10 male and 10 female B6C3F1 mice were administered 1-chloro-2-propanol in drinking water at concentrations of 0, 100, 330, 1,000, 3,300, or 10,000 ppm for 14 days. One male mouse in the 10,000 ppm group died before the end of the study. Mean body weight gains of 10,000 ppm mice were significantly less than those of the controls. Water consumption by 3,300 and 10,000 ppm males and females was significantly less than that by the controls throughout the study. Liver weights of 1,000, 3,300, or 10,000 ppm males and females were significantly greater and thymus weights of 10,000 ppm mice were significantly less than those of the controls. Exposure to 1-chloro-2-propanol caused hepatocellular vacuolization, cytoplasmic alteration and degeneration of the pancreas acinar cells, and atrophy of the spleen in males and females. 14-WEEK STUDY IN RATS: Groups of 10 male and 10 female F344/N rats were administered 1-chloro-2-propanol at concentrations of 0, 33, 100, 330, 1,000, or 3,300 ppm (equivalent to average daily doses of approximately 5, 10, 35, 100, or 220 mg/kg) for 14 weeks. All rats survived to the end of the study. Mean body weight gains of 3,300 ppm rats were significantly less than those of the controls. Water consumption by the 3,300 ppm male and female rats was significantly less than that by the controls. A minimal to mild anemia was observed in exposed female rats. The cauda epididymis and epididymis weights of 3,300 ppm males were significantly less than those of the controls. The percentage of abnormal sperm in 3,300 ppm males and the concentration of epididymal sperm in 330 ppm males were significantly increased compared to the controls. Kidney and liver weights of males and females exposed to 100 ppm or more were generally greater than those of the controls. The incidences of acinar cell degeneration and fatty change of the pancreas in 1,000 and 3,300 ppm rats, hepatocytic metaplasia of the pancreatic islets in 3,300 ppm females, cytoplasmic vacuolization of the liver in 100, 1,000 and 3,300 ppm males, and renal tubule epithelium regeneration in 3,300 ppm females were increased compared to the controls. 14-WEEK STUDY IN MICE: Groups of 10 male and 10 female B6C3F1 mice were administered 1-chloro-2-propanol in drinking water at concentrations of 0, 33, 100, 33entrations of 0, 33, 100, 330, 1,000, or 3,300 ppm (equivalent to average daily doses of approximately 5, 15, 50, 170, or 340 mg/kg to males and 7, 20, 70, 260, or 420 mg/kg to females) for 14 weeks. One 330 ppm male died before the end of the study. Mean body weight gains of exposed groups were similar to those of the controls. A minimal anemia was observed in 3,300 ppm males. The right epididymis weight of 3,300 ppm males was significantly greater than that of the controls. Kidney weights of 3,300 ppm mice, liver weights of 1,000 ppm males and of all exposed groups of females, and thymus weights of 1,000 and 3,300 ppm females were greater than those of the controls. The incidences of pancreatic acinar cell degeneration and fatty change in 3,300 ppm males and females and cytoplasmic vacuolization of the liver in all groups of exposed females were significantly increased compared to the controls. The severities of renal tubule cytoplasmic vacuolization were greater in 1,000 and 3,300 ppm males than in the controls. 2-YEAR STUDY IN RATS: Groups of 50 male and 50 female F344/N rats were administered drinking water containing 0, 150, 325, or 650 ppm 1-chloro-2-propanol (equivalent to average daily doses of approximately 15, 30, or 65 mg/kg during the first several months of the study and 8, 17, or 34 mg/kg for the remainder of the 2-year study) for up to 105 weeks. Survival of all exposed groups was similar to that of the controls. Mean body weights of exposed rats were generally similar to those of the controls throughout most of the study. Water consumption by all exposed groups was similar to that by the controls. No treatment-related neoplasms or nonneoplastic lesions were observed in this study. 2-YEAR STUDY IN MICE: Groups of 50 male and 50 female B6C3F1 mice were administered drinking water containing 0, 250, 500, or 1,000 ppm 1-chloro-2-propanol (equivalent to average daily doses of approximately 45, 75, or 150 mg/kg to males and 60, 105, or 210 mg/kg to females during the first several months of the study and 25, 50, or 100 mg/kg for the remainder of the 2-year study) for up to 105 weeks. Survival of all exposed groups was similar to that of the controls. The mean body weights of all exposed mice were generally similar to those of the controls throughout the study. Water consumption by all exposed groups was similar to that by the controls. No treatment- related neoplasms or nonneoplastic lesions were observed in this study. GENETIC TOXICOLOGY: 1-Chloro-2-propanol is a demonstrated mutagen in vitro. It was weakly mutagenic in S. typhimurium strain TA100 in the presence of hamster or rat liver S9 activation enzymes and was positive, with and without S9, in TA1535. No mutagenic activity was detected in strains TA97, TA98, and TA1537, with or without S9. In cytogenetic tests with Chinese hamster ovary cells, 1-chloro-2-propanol induced high levels of sister chromatid exchanges and chromosomal aberrations in the presence and the absence of S9. The marked ability of 1-chloro-2-propanol to induce chromosomal effects in vitro was not seen in vivo. Positive results were obtained in a test in D. melanogaster for induction of sex-linked recessive lethal mutations in germ cells of males administered 1-chloro-2-propanol via injection; however, negative results were obtained when males were administered 1-chloro-2-propanol in feed. A subsequent germ cell reciprocal translocation test in D. melanogaster yielded negative results. Further, no induction of micronucleated erythrocytes was observed in peripheral blood of male and female mice administered 1-chloro-2-propanol via drinking water for 14 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Under the conditions of these 2-year drinking water studies, there was no evidence of carcinogenic activity of technical grade 1-chloro-2-propanol in male or female F344/N rats exposed to 150, 325, or 650 ppm. There was no evidence of carcinogenic activity of technical grade 1-chloro-2-propanol in male or female B6C3F1 mice exposed to 250, 500, or 1,000 ppm. Synonyms: 1-Chloro-2-hydroxypropane, 1-chloroisopropyl alcohol, propylene-&alpha;-chlorohydrin, sec-propylene chlorohydrin

Journal Article↗

NTP Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of Promethazine Hydrochloride (CAS No. 58-33-3) in F344/N Rats and B6C3F1 Mice (Gavage Studies).

Promethazine hydrochloride is a drug used for the management of allergic conditions, motion sickness and nausea, and as a sedative to (treat psychiatric disorders. This drug was nominated for testing by the Food and Drug Administration because of its widespread use in human medicine and because of lack of data on its potential carcinogenicity. Oral administration is the most common route of human exposure. Toxicology and carcinogenicity studies were conducted by administering promethazine hydrochloride (>99% pure) in distilled water by gavage to groups of male and female F344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice for 16 days, 13 weeks, or 2 years. Genetic toxicology studies were conducted in Salmonella typhimurium, in cultured Chinese hamster ovary cells, and in Drosophila melanogaster. 16-DAY STUDY IN RATS: Groups of five male and five female rats received 0, 18.5, 55.5, 166.5, 500, or 1,500 mg promethazine hydrochloride/kg body weight once daily, 5 days per week for a total of 12 doses in a 16-day period. All rats receiving 1,500 mg/kg, four males and four females receiving 500 mg/kg, and one male and one female receiving 166.5 mg/kg died during the study. No deaths occurred in the remaining dose groups. Final mean body weights of rats receiving 166.5 mg/kg were significantly lower (12% to 25%) than those of the controls. Clinical findings included decreased activity, ocular discharge, and labored breathing in males and females receiving 166.5, 500, and 1,500 mg/kg as well as tremors in females receiving 166.5 and 500 mg/kg. There were dose-related increases in the absolute and relative liver weights of rats. Focal suppurative inflammation occurred in the nose of some male and female rats receiving 55 or 166.5 mg/kg and in the trachea of some male and female rats receiving 166.5 mg/kg. 16-DAY STUDY IN MICE: Groups of five male and five female mice received 0, 18.8, 37.5, 75, 150, or 300 mg promethazine hydrochloride/kg body weight once daily, 5 days per week for a total of 12 doses in a 16-day period. Two females receiving 75 mg/kg, one male and one female receiving 150 mg/kg, and four females receiving 300 mg/kg died during the study. No deaths occurred in the remaining dose groups. Final mean body weights of mice receiving promethazine hydrochloride were similar to those of the controls. However, in male and female controls, the final mean body weights were 11% to 12% lower than the initial mean body weights. Clinical findings occurred as early as the first day of the study and included decreased activity in male and female mice receiving 150 and 300 mg/kg. Tremors occurred in one male and five females in the 300 mg/kg group on day 1 and in one male in the 150 mg/kg group and five males and one female in the 300 mg/kg group on day 2. Absolute and relative liver weights of male mice receiving 75, 150, or 300 mg/kg were significantly greater than those of the controls. No chemical related lesions were present in male or female mice. 13-WEEK STUDY IN RATS: Groups of 10 male and 10 female rats received 0, 3.7, 11.1, 33.3, 100, or 300 mg promethazine hydrochloride/kg body weight once daily, 5 days per week for 13 weeks. One female receiving 100 mg/kg and six males and nine females receiving 300 mg/kg died during the study. No deaths occurred in the remaining dose groups. Final mean body weights of male rats receiving 100 or 300 mg/kg were significantly lower (19% to 22%) than those of the controls. Mean body weight gain of females receiving 100 mg/kg was significantly lower (14%) than that of the controls. Clinical findings in rats included hunched posture and labored breathing. Absolute and relative liver weights of males receiving 11.1, 33.3, 100, or 300 mg/kg and females receiving 33.3 or 100 mg/kg were significantly greater than those of the controls. Focal suppurative inflammation of the nose and trachea occurred with an increased incidence in rats receiving 100 and 300 mg/kg. A dose-related increased incidence of vacuolar degeneration of the nasal olfactory epithelium occurred in male and female rats that received 11.1, 33.3, or urred in male and female rats that received 11.1, 33.3, or 100 mg/kg. 13-WEEK STUDY IN MICE: Groups of 10 male and 10 female mice received 0, 5, 15, 45, 135, or 405 mg promethazine hydrochloride/kg body weight once daily, 5 days per week for 13 weeks. One control female, one female receiving 5 mg/kg, two females receiving 45 mg/kg, four females receiving 135 mg/kg, and all mice receiving 405 mg/kg died during the study. No deaths occurred in the remaining dose group. Final mean body weights of mice receiving 135 mg/kg were significantly lower (8&percnt; to 9&percnt;) than those of the controls. Clinical findings of toxicity included labored breathing and decreased activity in one 135 mg/kg female. Absolute and relative liver weights increased in a dose-related trend in both sexes. No chemical-related lesions were observed in mice. 2-YEAR STUDY IN RATS: Based on mortality and body weight differences observed at higher levels, doses of promethazine hydrochloride selected for the 2-year study in rats were 0, 8.3, 16.6, and 33.3 mg/kg. Groups of 60 male or 60 female rats were administered promethazine hydrochloride in deionized water by gavage once daily, 5 days per week for up to 103 weeks. Up to ten male and ten female rats per dose group were evaluated at 15 months. Survival, Body Weights, and Clinical Findings: There was a significant dose-related decrease in survival of rats. The survival rates in the 16.6 and 33.3 mg/kg male groups and in the 33.3 mg/kg female group were significantly lower than those of the controls. The final mean body weight of male rats receiving 33.3 mg/kg promethazine hydrochloride was 10&percnt; lower than that of the controls. Final mean body weights of female rats in the 16.6 and 33.3 mg/kg groups were 9&percnt; and 11&percnt; lower than that of the controls, respectively. No chemical-related clinical findings were noted in any dose group. Significant increases in the absolute and relative liver weights of mid- and high-dose female rats and the relative liver weights of mid- and high-dose male rats were observed at the 15-month interim evaluation. There were no biologically significant differences in the hematology or clinical chemistry parameters measured at 15 months. Pathology Findings: No neoplasms that could be attributed to promethazine hydrochloride administration were found in male or female rats. Several neoplasms occurred with a significantly decreased incidence in rats receiving promethazine hydrochloride. These included adrenal medullary pheochromocytoma (benign or malignant) and pituitary gland adenoma in the 33.3 mg/kg males and uterine stromal polyp in the 33.3 mg/kg females. The decreased incidences of adrenal medullary pheochromocytoma were chemical related. The decreased incidences of pituitary gland adenoma and uterine stromal polyp may have been related to chemical administration. Diffuse fatty change of the liver of male rats increased with dose and was attributed to chemical administration. 2-YEAR STUDY IN MICE: Based on mortality and body weight differences observed at higher levels, the doses of promethazine hydrochloride selected for the 2-year study were 0, 11.25, 22.5, and 45 mg/kg for male mice and 0, 3.75, 7.5, and 15 mg/kg for female mice. Groups of 60 male or 60 female mice were administered promethazine hydrochloride in deionized water by gavage once daily, 5 days per week for up to 103 weeks. Up to 10 male and 10 female mice per dose group were evaluated at 15 months. Survival, Body Weights, and Clinical Findings: Survival of mice receiving promethazine hydrochloride was similar to that of the controls. Mean body weights of mice were within 7&percnt; of those of the controls throughout the study. There were no chemical-related clinical findings in male or female mice. There were no differences in hematology or clinical chemistry parameters measured at 15 months that were attributed to the administration of promethazine hydrochloride. Pathology Findings: There were no neoplasms or nonneoplastic lesions that were attributed to the administration of promethazine hydrochloride. GENETIC TOXICOLOGY: Promethazine hydrochloride did not induce gene mutations in Salmonella typhimurium strains TA97, TA98, TA100, TA1535, or TA1537, or a significant increase in chromosomal aberrations in cultured Chinese hamster ovary cells; both of these tests were conducted with and without exogenous metabolic activation (S9). A small dose-related increase in sister chromatid exchanges was observed in cultured Chinese hamster ovary cells in the presence of S9; this response was considered to be equivocal. No increase in sister chromatid exchanges was observed in the absence of S9. Promethazine hydrochloride did not induce sex-linked recessive lethal mutations in germ cells of male Drosophila melanogaster administered the chemical by feeding or injection. CONCLUSIONS: Under the conditions of these 2-year gavage studies, there was no evidence of carcinogenic activity of promethazine hydrochloride in male or female F344/N rats receiving 8.3, 16.6, or 33.3 mg/kg. There was no evidence of carcinogenic activity of promethazine hydrochloride in male B6C3F1 mice receiving 11.25, 22.5, or 45 mg/kg. There was no evidence of carcinogenic activity of promethazine hydrochloride in female B6C3F1 mice receiving 3.75, 7.5, or 15 mg/kg. The decrease in the incidences of adrenal medullary pheochromocytoma in male rats was considered to be related to promethazine hydrochloride administration. The decrease in the incidences of pituitary gland adenoma in male rats and uterine stromal polyp in female rats may have been related to promethazine administration. Synonyms: Phenothiazine,10-(2-(dimethylamino)propyl)-,monochlorohydrate; 10H-phenothiazine-10-ethanamine;10-(2-dimethylamino-2-methylethyl)phenothiazine hydrochloride; N-(2 -dimethylamino-2 -methyl)ethylphenothiazine hydrochloride Trade names: Diprazi; Kinetosin; Phenergan; Phenergan hydrochloride; Promine; Pipolfen; Plletia; Prorex; Promantine; Pyrethia; Romergan hydrochlonde

Journal Article↗

RNA secondary structure and compensatory evolution.

The classic concept of epistatic fitness interactions between genes has been extended to study interactions within gene regions, especially between nucleotides that are important in maintaining pre-mRNA/mRNA secondary structures. It is shown that the majority of linkage disequilibria found within the Drosophila Adh gene are likely to be caused by epistatic selection operating on RNA secondary structures. A recently proposed method of RNA secondary structure prediction based on DNA sequence comparisons is reviewed and applied to several types of RNAs, including tRNA, rRNA, and mRNA. The patterns of covariation in these RNAs are analyzed based on Kimura's compensatory evolution model. The results suggest that this model describes the substitution process in the pairing regions (helices) of RNA secondary structures well when the helices are evolutionarily conserved and thermodynamically stable, but fails in some other cases. Epistatic selection maintaining pre-mRNA/mRNA secondary structures is compared to weak selective forces that determine features such as base composition and synonymous codon usage. The relationships among these forces and their relative strengths are addressed. Finally, our mutagenesis experiments using the Drosophila Adh locus are reviewed. These experiments analyze long-range compensatory interactions between the 5' and 3' ends of Adh mRNA, the different constraints on secondary structures in introns and exons, and the possible role of secondary structures in RNA splicing.

Alcohol Dehydrogenase↗

The Dutch Uniform Multicenter Registration system for genetic disorders and malformation syndromes.

In medical genetics, several systems are used to classify and code genetic disorders for the purpose of automated registration. In the Netherlands, a genetic diagnosis code system has been developed that links a unique four-digit code to a principal description and all current synonyms. The main goal of this coding system is to enable nationwide uniformity of coding, without losing access to information stored in the past, identified by the ICD/BPA code (the International Classification of Diseases as adapted by the British Paediatric Association) and/or the MIM code (McKusick's classification in Mendelian Inheritance in Man). To this effect, the Dutch diagnosis code is cross-referenced with the 2 pre-existing classification systems. Developments in medical genetics make regular updates of all coding systems necessary. In the Netherlands, new diagnosis codes are assigned centrally to preserve uniformity and distributed periodically to all 8 clinical genetic centers. Diagnosis codes are assigned in numerical order of inclusion, enabling quick and easy updates. It is possible to include subclassifications of disorders according to pattern of inheritance, gene location, and gene mutations and to cover all disorders and disorder subtypes which are not clearly distinguished by the 2 pre-existing classification systems. The architecture of the coding system is suitable for international use. It offers a practical solution for clinical geneticists in need of a coding system suitable for clinical use. The use of the diagnosis code will also facilitate reliable comparison of data and nationwide genetic epidemiological studies.

Congenital Abnormalities↗

Molecular phylogeny of eastern Pacific sea cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) based on mitochondrial DNA sequence.

A molecular phylogenetic analysis of some Holothuroidea was undertaken in order to clarify the systematics and taxonomy of this class in the northeast Pacific. DNA sequence for portions of two mitochondrial genes, the large ribosomal subunit and cytochrome oxidase 1 was obtained from 16 species of sea cucumbers, including nine members of the family Cucumariidae. As reported for many mitochondrial genomes, a strong bias against G was noted in the coding strand at synonymous sites. In order to verify trees recovered in the presence of this bias, parsimony, maximum likelihood, distance, and log determinant methods were all employed. The resulting molecular phylogeny of the Cucumariidae, with a few exceptions, supported existing taxonomy which is based largely on the morphology of calcareous parts. In particular, evolutionary relationships among the brooding species were clarified. Our results confirm that C. pseudocurata Deichmann is distinct from C. curata Cowles and that these two species do not represent geographic variants of a single species. In fact C. pseudocurata appears to be conspecific with the more northerly distributed C. vegae Theel. We also clarify the identity of C. lubrica Clark and further suggest that C. fisheri astigmata (recently revised to Pseudocnus) should be considered a junior synonym of C. lubrica. The recent description of C. pallida Kirkendale and Lambert as a species, distinct from C. miniata (Brandt), is also supported. The resultant phylogenetic trees are consistent with multiple origins of direct development within the Cucumariidae. Finally, we suggest that an in-depth phylogenetic analysis of sea cucumber families will require examination of additional, more slowly evolving, regions of the genome(s).

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Evolutionary genetics of the proline permease gene (putP) and the control region of the proline utilization operon in populations of Salmonella and Escherichia coli.

Virtually complete sequences (1,467 bp) of the proline permease gene (putP) and complete sequences (416 to 422 bp) of the control region of the proline utilization operon were determined for 16 strains of Salmonella, representing all eight subspecies, and 13 strains of Escherichia coli recovered from natural populations. Strains of Salmonella and E. coli differed, on average, at 16.3% of putP nucleotide sites and 17.5% of control region sites; the average difference between strains was much larger for Salmonella strains (4.6% of putP sites and 3.4% of control region sites) than for E. coli (2.4 and 0.9%, respectively). There was no difference in the distribution of polymorphic amino acid positions between the membrane-spanning and loop regions of the permease molecule, and rates of synonymous nucleotide substitution were virtually the same for the two domains. Statistical analysis yielded evidence of three probable cases of intragenic recombination, including the acquisition of a large segment of putP by strains of Salmonella subspecies VII from an unidentified source, the exchange of a 21-bp segment between two strains of E. coli, and the acquisition by one strain of E. coli of a cluster of 14 unique polymorphic control region sites from an unknown donor. An evolutionary tree for the putP and control region sequences was generally concordant with a tree for the gapA gene and a tree based on multilocus enzyme electrophoresis, thus providing evidence that for neither gene nor for enzyme genes in general has recombination occurred at rates sufficiently high or over regions sufficiently large to completely obscure phylogenetic relationships dependent on mutational divergence. It is suggested that the recombination rate varies among genes in relation to functional type, being highest for genes encoding cell surface and other proteins for which there is an adaptive advantage in structural diversity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of C.I. Acid Red 114 (CAS No. 6459-94-5) in F344/N Rats (Drinking Water Studies).

C.I. Acid Red 114 is one of five chemicals being evaluated in 2-year carcinogenicity and toxicity studies as part of the NTP's Benzidine Dye Initiative. This Initiative was designed to evaluate representative benzidine congeners, benzidine congener-derived dyes, and benzidine-derived dyes. C.I. Acid Red 114 was nominated for study because of the potential for human exposure during production of bisazobiphenyl dyes and because benzidine, a structurally related chemical, is a known human carcinogen. Toxicology and carcinogenesis studies were conducted by administering desalted, industrial grade C.I. Acid Red 114 in drinking water to groups of F344/N rats of each sex for 13 days, 13 weeks, 9 or 15 months, or 2 years. These studies were performed only in rats because studies of benzidine congeners were being performed in mice at the National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR). Genetic toxicology studies were conducted in Salmonella typhimurium, Chinese hamster ovary cells, and Drosophila melanogaster. 13-Day Studies: Rats were exposed to C.I. Acid Red 114 in drinking water at doses of 0, 10,000, 20,000, or 30,000 ppm. All control and dosed rats survived except one male rat in the 20,000 ppm dose group. Final mean body weights in the three dosed groups were 94%, 83%, or 77% of controls for males and 92%, 88%, or 80% of controls for females. Water consumption declined with increased dose. Clinical findings included red stained fur, ears, and tail in all test animals. On gross necropsy, organs and tissues were also stained red. 13-Week Studies: C.I. Acid Red 114 was administered in drinking water at doses of 0, 600, 1,200, 2,500, 5,000, or 10,000 ppm. All control and dosed animals survived until the end of the study. Final mean body weights in the five dosed groups were 97%, 89%, 87%, 87%, or 85% of controls for males and 97%, 94%, 94%, 92%, or 89% of controls for females. Water consumption was decreased in dosed animals. As was seen in the 13-day studies, major organs and tissues from treated animals were stained red. Kidney toxicity characterized by regeneration and karyomegaly of tubule epithelial cells with chronic inflammation was observed in female rats at doses of 1,200 ppm or above. Treatment-related increases in relative liver weights and elevated liver enzyme levels were seen in males and females, centrilobular pallor in the liver was seen in all male dose groups. Because of these body weight differences, decreases in water consumption, and organ toxicity, the doses chosen for the 2-year studies were 70,150, and 300 ppm for males and 150, 300, and 600 for females. 2-Year Studies: Male rats received doses of 0, 70, 150, or 300 ppm of C.I. Acid Red 114, and female rats received 0, 150, 300, or 600 ppm. Seventy animals were in the control and high-dose groups, 45 in the low-dose groups, and 75 in the mid-dose groups. Ten animals were evaluated from the control and high-dose groups at 9 months, and ten animals from all dose groups were evaluated at 15 months. The average amount of compound consumed per day was 4, 8, or 20 mg/kg for males and 9, 20, or 70 mg/kg for females. Survival and Body Weights: Survival at 105 weeks for male rats receiving 0, 70, 150, or 300 ppm was 24/50, 15/35, 26/65, and 1/50; for females receiving 0, 150, or 300 ppm, survival was 36/50, 13/35, and 6/64. All female rats receiving 600 ppm died by week 89. The decreased survival in treated groups was due primarily to the development of chemical-related neoplasms. Of the surviving animals, the final mean body weights for males receiving 70 or 150 ppm were 94% and 90% of control and for females receiving 150 or 300 ppm, 99% and 84% of control. These weight differences began in the second year of the studies and were attributed in part to the development of neoplasms in the dosed groups. Histopathologic Effects in the 2-Year Studies: At 9 and 15 months, a few neoplasms were seen in the liver, lung, clitoral gland, skin, Zymbal's gland, oral cavity epithelium, and small and large intestine, and the number of neoplasms at these sites increased as gland, skin, Zymbal's gland, oral cavity epithelium, and small and large intestine, and the number of neoplasms at these sites increased as the studies progressed. At 2 years, there was a clear carcinogenic response in the skin, Zymbal's gland, and liver of male and female rats, and in the clitoral gland, oral cavity epithelium, small and large intestine, and lung in female rats. Treatment-related increases were also seen in the incidence in neoplasms of the oral cavity epithelium, adrenal gland, and lung of male rats, and in mononuclear cell leukemia and in neoplasms of the mammary gland and adrenal gland in female rats. The incidence of these neoplasms was generally lower, but was significant and considered to be marginally related to chemical treatment. The same neoplastic effects have been previously observed in some or all of the NTP studies with dimethoxybenzidine, dimethylbenzidine, or C.I. Direct Blue 15. Genetic Toxicology: In a standard preincubation protocol, C.I. Acid Red 114 was mutagenic in Salmonella typhimurium strain TA98 in the presence of induced hamster liver S9, and an equivocal response was noted in strain TA100 with hamster liver S9. However, no significant mutagenic activity was noted in strains TA1535 or TA1537 with or without S9 activation. In a modified S. typhimurium gene mutation test which employed reductive metabolism followed by oxidative metabolism with S9 liver enzymes, C.I. Acid Red 114 was strongly mutagenic in strain TA1538. C.I. Acid Red 114 did not induce sister chromatid exchanges or chromosomal aberrations in Chinese hamster ovary cells with or without S9 activation; reductive metabolism was not used in these cytogenetic tests. No increase in sex-linked recessive lethal mutations was observed in germ cells of male Drosophila melanogaster administered C.I. Acid Red 114 by feeding or injection. Conclusions: Under the conditions of these 2-year drinking water studies, there was clear evidence of carcinogenic activity of C.I. Acid Red 114 for male F344/N rats, as indicated by benign and malignant neoplasms of the skin, Zymbal's gland, and liver. Increased incidences of neoplasms of the oral cavity epithelium, adrenal gland, and lung may have been related to chemical administration. There was clear evidence of carcinogenic activity for female F344/N rats, as indicated by benign and malignant neoplasms of the skin, Zymbal's gland, clitoral gland, liver, oral cavity epithelium, small and large intestines, and lung. Increased incidences of mononuclear cell leukemia, mammary gland adenocarcinoma, and adrenal gland pheochromocytomas may have been related to chemical administration. Synonyms: 1,3-Naphthalenedisulfonic acid, 8-((3,3'-dimethyl-4'-((4-(((4-methylphenyl)sulfonyl)oxy)phenyl)azo)(1,1'-bipheny)-4-yl)azo)-7-hydroxy, disodium salt, Acid Leather Red BG, Acid Red 114, Amacid Milling Red PRS, Benzyl Fast Red BG, Benzyl Red BR, Cerven Kysela, C.I. 23635, Erionyl Red RS, Folan Red B, Kayanol Milling Red RS, Leather Fast Red B, Levanol Red GG, Midlon Red PRS, Milling Red B, Milling Red BB, Milling Red SWB, NCI C61096, Polar Red RS, Sandolan Red N-RS, Sella Fast Red RS, Sulphonol Fast Red R, Supranol Fast Red GG, Supranol Red PBX-CF, Supranol Red R, Telon Fast Red GG, Tertracid Milling Red B, Vondamol Fast Red RS

Journal Article↗

NTP Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of Dimethyl Hydrogen Phosphite (CAS No. 868-85-9) in F344/N Rats and B6C3F1 Mice (Gavage Studies).

Dimethyl hydrogen phosphite (DMHP) is used as an intermediate in the production of insecticides and herbicides, as an additive to lubricants, and as a stabilizer in oil and plaster and was considered for use as a chemical to simulate the physical (but not the biologic) properties of anticholinesterase agents. Results of 13-week gavage studies in F344/N rats (0-400 mg DMHP/kg body weight) and in B6C3F1 mice (0-1,500 mg DMHP/kg body weight) were used to identify short-term toxicity and to establish doses for the 2-year toxicology and carcinogenesis studies. In these studies, dimethyl hydrogen phosphite (greater than 97% pure) was administered for 103 weeks in corn oil by gavage to groups of 50 male F344/N rats and to groups of 50 male and female B6C3F1 mice at doses of 0, 100, or 200 mg/kg and to groups of 50 female F344/N rats at doses of 0, 50, or 100 mg/kg. In the 2-year studies, survival of high dose male rats and high dose male mice was lower (P<0.05) than that of the vehicle controls (male rats: vehicle control, 39/50; low dose, 29/50; high dose, 23/50; male mice: 42/50; 34/50; 32/50). At the end of the studies, mean body weights were lower than those of the corresponding vehicle controls for high dose male rats (-15%), for high dose female rats (-5%), and for high dose male mice (-5%). Dimethyl hydrogen phosphite caused dose-related increases in nonneoplastic and neoplastic lesions of the lung in male and female rats. In high dose male rats, there were increased incidences of lung neoplasms, including squamous cell carcinomas (0/50; 0/50; 5/50), alveolar/bronchiolar adenomas (0/50; 0/50; 5/50), and alveolar/bronchiolar carcinomas (0/50; 1/50; 20/50). In high dose female rats, there was a marginal increase in the incidence of alveolar/bronchiolar carcinomas of the lung (0/50; 1/49; 3/50). Hyperplasia of the lung and chronic interstitial pneumonia were increased in dosed male rats and in high dose female rats. Dimethyl hydrogen phosphite caused increases in forestomach lesions in male and female rats. In male rats, there was an increased incidence of forestomach neoplasms, including squamous cell papillomas (0/50; 1/50; 3/50) and squamous cell carcinomas (0/50; 0/50; 3/50). High dose male rats had increased incidences of hyperkeratosis and hyperplasia of the forestomach. In high dose female rats, the incidence of forestomach hyperplasia was increased. Neoplastic lesions of the forestomach (a squamous cell papilloma and a squamous cell carcinoma) were found in two high dose female rats. Mineralization of the cerebellum was seen in high dose male rats (12/49) and in no other group. Focal calcification of the testis occurred at increased incidence in dosed male mice in the 2-year studies (2/50; 9/47; 24/50). Compound-related testicular atrophy was seen in male mice in the 13-week study. Dimethyl hydrogen phosphite did not induce any neoplasms in male or female mice. Dimethyl hydrogen phosphite was not mutagenic in Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98, TA100, TA1535, or TA1537 in the presence or absence of Aroclor 1254-induced male Sprague-Dawley rat or Syrian hamster liver S9. This chemical did not induce sex-linked recessive lethal mutations in Drosophila melanogaster. An audit of the experimental data was conducted for these carcinogenic studies on dimethyl hydrogen phosphite. No data discrepancies were found that influenced the final interpretations. Under the conditions of these gavage studies, there was clear evidence of carcinogenicity in male rats receiving dimethyl hydrogen phosphite, as shown by increased incidences of alveolar/bronchiolar adenomas, alveolar/bronchiolar carcinomas, and squamous cell carcinomas of the lung and of neoplasms of the forestomach. There was equivocal evidence of carcinogenicity in female F344/N rats receiving dimethyl hydrogen phosphite, as shown by marginally increased incidences of alveolar/bronchiolar carcinomas of the lung and of neoplasms of the stomach. There was no evidence of carcinogenicity in male or female B6C3F1 mice receiving dimethyl hydrogen phosphite at doses of 100 ogen phosphite at doses of 100 or 200 mg/kg for 103 weeks. Synonyms: phosphonic acid, dimethyl ester (9CI); dimethyl phosphite; dimethyl phosphorus acid; methyl phosphonate; dimethyl phosphonate; dimethoxyphosphine oxide; TL 585; DMHP; phosphorous acid, dimethyl ester; dimethylphosphite; dimethyl phosphonate; dimethylphosphorous acid; bis(hydroxymethyl) phosphine oxide

Journal Article↗

NTP Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of Dimethoxane (CAS No. 828-00-2) (Commercial Grade) in F344/N Rats and B6C3F1 Mice (Gavage Studies).

Dimethoxane is used as an antimicrobial agent in water-based paints, dyestuffs, fabric softeners, sizings, and spinning emulsions. In the past, it was used in lipsticks and other cosmetic preparations. Toxicology and carcinogenesis studies were conducted by administering commercial-grade dimethoxane (80% pure, none of these impurities exceeded 3%) in corn oil gavage to groups of F344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice of each sex one time or 5 days per week for 16 days, 13 weeks, 15 months, or 2 years. Clinical pathology analyses were performed at 15 months in the 2-year studies. Commercial-grade dimethoxane was studied because that is the grade to which humans are generally exposed. The same lot of commercial-grade dimethoxane was used in genetic toxicology tests for mutagenicity in Salmonella typhimurium, for sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) and chromosomal aberrations in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, and for sex-linked recessive lethal mutations and translocation in Drosophila. Sixteen-Day Studies: In the 16-day studies, rats and mice received 0, 125, 250, 500, 1,000, or 2,000 mg/kg dimethoxane in corn oil per day. Deaths occurred in rats and in male mice that received 2,000 mg/kg. Body weights of rats and mice were similar to those of vehicle controls. Compound-related clinical signs were not seen in surviving rats. Hemorrhage and necrosis of the stomach were observed in rats in the 2,000 mg/kg group which died before the end of the studies. Lesions of the forestomach, including inflammation, hyperplasia, hyperkeratosis, and ulceration, occurred in rats that received 250-2,000 mg/kg. Mice that received 500-2,000 mg/kg dimethoxane had lesions of the forestomach including erosion, ulceration, hyperplasia, and hyperkeratosis. Forestomach lesions were not seen at 125 or 250 mg/kg. Thirteen-Week Studies: No compound-related deaths occurred in rats. Doses used were 0, 31, 62, 125, 250, or 500 mg/kg dimethoxane in corn oil by gavage. The final mean body weights of rats that received 500 mg/kg were 17% lower than that of vehicle controls for males and 5% lower for females. Ulceration, inflammation, and acanthosis with hyperkeratosis of the stratified squamous epithelium of the forestomach were seen in rats that received 500 mg/kg. Forestomach lesions were not seen in males that received 31 mg/kg or in females that received 31, 62, or 125 mg/kg. All mice lived to the end of the studies (doses used were 0, 31, 62, 125, 250, or 500 mg/kg dimethoxane in corn oil by gavage). Final mean body weights of dosed and vehicle control mice were similar. Minimal-to- mild acanthosis and hyperkeratosis of the squamous epithelium of the forestomach were seen in 4/10 high dose male and 1/10 high dose female mice. Because of the forestomach lesions observed in rats and mice and reduced body weight observed for male rats, doses selected for the 2-year studies were 0, 62.5, or 125 mg/kg dimethoxane in corn oil, given by gavage 5 days per week to groups of 60 male rats; 0, 125, or 250 mg/kg to groups of 60 female rats; and 0, 250, or 500 mg/kg to groups of 58 or 60 mice of each sex. Ten animals per sex and species from each dose group were killed 15 months after initiation of the studies to determine toxicity, pre-neoplastic lesions, and early induced neoplasia. Fifteen-Month Studies: Minimal diffuse acanthosis and hyperplasia of the forestomach were seen in 7/10 female rats at 250 mg/kg, 7/10 males at 125 mg/kg, and 1/9 male and 1/9 female vehicle controls. Acanthosis of the forestomach was seen in 7/10 male and 6/10 female mice at 500 mg/kg. Harderian gland adenomas were seen in one high dose male and one high dose female mouse. A harderian gland adenocarcinoma was seen in a second high dose female mouse. No compound-related effects were observed for clinical chemical or hematologic values or for organ weights for rats or mice. Body Weight and Survival in the Two-Year Studies: Mean body weights of dosed and vehicle control rats and mice of each sex were generally similar. No significant differences in survival were observed between any groups of rated between any groups of rats (male: vehicle control, 23/50; low dose, 28/50; high dose, 21/50; female: 30/50; 31/50; 24/50) or mice (male: 33/50; 27/48; 29/50; female: 36/50; 35/50; 34/50). Nonneoplastic and Neoplastic Effects in the Two-Year Studies: At no site was a significantly increased incidence of neoplastic lesions observed in dosed male or female rats or in dosed female mice. Acanthosis and hyperkeratosis were increased in the forestomach of high dose rats; acanthosis, hyperkeratosis, focal hyperplasia, and chronic active inflammation were increased in the forestomach of dosed mice. The incidence of squamous cell papillomas of the forestomach was increased in high dose male mice (vehicle control, 2/47; low dose, 3/47; high dose, 7/50). A squamous cell carcinoma of the forestomach was present in another high dose male mouse. Although the incidence of squamous cell papillomas in the high dose group was not significantly different from that in the vehicle controls, the incidence exceeded the highest observed in historical corn oil gavage vehicle controls (3/49). Other than a single squamous cell papilloma in the esophagus of a low dose male mouse, no hyperplastic or neoplastic lesions were seen outside the stomach of dosed mice which could be related to the administration of dimethoxane. Despite the observation of three harderian gland neoplasms in mice killed at 15 months, no increase in the incidences of harderian gland neoplasms was seen in dosed mice in the 2-year studies (male: 2/48; 2/48; 2/48; female: 2/48; 0/49; 2/50). Genetic Toxicity: Dimethoxane was mutagenic in strain TA100 of S. typhimurium in the presence but not the absence of exogenous metabolic activation; it was not mutagenic in strains TA98, TA1535, or TA1537 with or without activation. Dimethoxane induced SCEs and chromosomal aberrations in CHO cells both with or without exogenous metabolic activation. Dimethoxane induced sex-linked recessive lethal mutations in Drosophila when administered by abdominal injection to adult males; no induction of reciprocal translocations was observed in adult males after injection of dimethoxane. Conclusions: Under the conditions of these 2-year corn oil gavage studies, there was no evidence of carcinogenic activity of dimethoxane for male F344/N rats receiving 62.5 or 125 mg/kg or for female F344/N rats receiving 125 or 250 mg/kg per day. There was equivocal evidence of carcinogenic activity of dimethoxane for male B6C3F1 mice, as indicated by an increased incidence of forestomach neoplasms. There was no evidence of carcinogenic activity for female B6C3F1 mice receiving 250 or 500 mg/kg per day. Acanthosis and hyperkeratosis occurred at increased incidences in the forestomach of high dose rats. Inflammation, acanthosis with hyperkeratosis, and focal hyperplasia occurred at increased incidences in the forestomach of dosed mice. Synonyms: acetomethoxan; acetomethoxane; 6-acetoxy-2,4-dimethyl-m-dioxane; 2,6-dimethyl-m-dioxan-4-yl acetate; 2,6-dimethyl-m-dioxan-4-ol acetate; 2,6-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-4-ol acetate

Journal Article↗

NTP Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of 3-Chloro-2-methylpropene (Technical grade containing 5% dimethylvinyl chloride) (CAS No. 563-47-3) in F344/N Rats and B6C3F1 Mice (Gavage Studies).

Toxicology and carcinogenesis studies of technical-grade 3-chloro-2-methylpropene (containing 5% dimethylvinyl chloride), a widely used insecticide and a chemical intermediate, were performed on F344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice. In the 13-week studies, 50%-100% mortality occurred in groups of male and female rats receiving 400 mg/kg, male rats receiving 300 mg/kg, and male and female mice receiving 500-1,250 mg/kg. Inflammation and necrosis of the liver were seen in rats and mice, and necrosis of cortical tubules of the kidney was seen in mice. Based on these observations, groups of 50 male and 50 female rats were administered 3-chloro-2-methylpropene in corn oil by gavage at doses of 0, 75, or 150 mg/kg body weight, 5 days per week for 103 weeks, and groups of 50 male and 50 female mice received 3-chloro-2-methylpropene at 0, 100, or 200 mg/kg on the same schedule. In the 2-year studies, the mean body weight of high dose male rats was consistently 10%-15% lower than that of the vehicle control group, and late in the study there was a marginal reduction in survival of high dose male rats. Mean body weights and survival in low dose male rats and in both dosed groups of female rats were comparable to those of their vehicle control groups. Mean body weights of high dose male mice and of both dosed groups of female mice were slightly (5%-9%) lower than those of the vehicle controls, whereas survival in both male and female mice was not affected by 3-chloro-2-methylpropene administration. Dose-related increases in the incidence of forestomach inflammation were observed in male and female mice (male: vehicle control, 0/49; low dose, 9/49; high dose, 7/49; female: vehicle control, 2/50; low dose, 3/48; high dose, 9/44). Increased incidences of forestomach basal cell hyperplasia were observed in rats and mice of each sex. 3-Chloro-2-methylpropene induced forestomach squamous cell papillomas and squamous cell carcinomas in rats and mice as shown in the table. Invasion or metastasis of the squamous cell carcinomas to other organs was observed in two low dose male, three high dose male, and one high dose female mice. Renal tubular cell adenocarcinomas (1/49), renal transitional cell carcinomas (1/49), and transitional cell papillomas (1/49) of the urinary bladder were observed in high dose male rats, and renal tubular cell adenomas (1/50) and renal tubular cell adenocarcinomas (1/50) were seen in low dose male rats. These urinary tract neoplasms were not observed in vehicle controls. The incidences of inflammation of the nasal cavity and of nephropathy/nephrosis were greater in the two dosed groups than in the vehicle control groups of rats and mice of each sex. Negative trends or lower incidences of pheochromocytomas of the adrenal gland and C-cell adenomas or carcinomas (combined) of the thyroid gland were observed in dosed male rats. Negative trends were observed in the incidences of hepatocellular adenomas or carcinomas (combined) in dosed male mice and of hemangiomas or hemangiosarcomas (combined) in dosed female mice. 3-Chloro-2-methylpropene was weakly mutagenic in Salmonella typhimurium strain TA1537 with 10% rat liver S9; results in strain TA100 with 10% Syrian hamster liver S9 or with 10% or 30% rat liver S9 were judged equivocal. Mutagenicity tests with S. typhimurium strains TA1535 and TA98 were negative with or without metabolic activation. 3-Chloro-2-methylpropene was mutagenic in the mouse lymphoma L5178/TK+/- forward mutation assay without exogenous metabolic activation. Cytogenetics tests with cultured Chinese hamster ovary cells were positive for induction of chromosomal aberrations and sister-chromatid exchanges (SCE's) in the absence of rat liver S9. With metabolic activation, SCE levels remained significantly elevated, but the number of chromosomal aberrations was reduced. An audit of the experimental data was conducted for these 2-year carcinogenesis studies on 3-chloro-2-methylpropene. No data discrepancies were found that influenced the final interpretations. Under the conditions of these 2-year gavage studies, d the final interpretations. Under the conditions of these 2-year gavage studies, there was clear evidence of carcinogenicity for 3-chloro-2-methylpropene as shown by the increased incidences of squamous cell neoplasms in the forestomach of male and female F344/N rats and of male and female B6C3F1 mice. Synonyms: 2-methallyl chloride; methyl allyl chloride; b-methallyl chloride; pi-chloroisobutylene; isobutenyl chloride; 3-chloro-2-methyl-1-propene; 2-methyl-2-propenyl chloride

Journal Article↗

NTP Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of Tetrachloroethylene (Perchloroethylene) (CAS No. 127-18-4) in F344/N Rats and B6C3F1 Mice (Inhalation Studies).

Tetrachloroethylene is used primarily as a dry cleaning agent, an industrial solvent for fats, oils, tars, rubber, and gums, and a metal degreasing agent. Tetrachloroethylene had antihelminthic uses, particularly for hookworms (1.6-8 g/60 kg), and was formerly used in combination with some grain protectants and fumigants. Toxicology and carcinogenesis studies of tetrachloroethylene (99.9% pure) were conducted by inhalation exposure of groups of 50 male and 50 female F344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice 6 hours per day, 5 days per week, for 103 weeks. The exposure concentrations used (0, 200, or 400 ppm for rats and 0, 100, or 200 ppm for mice) were selected on the basis of results from 13-week inhalation studies in which groups of 10 rats and 10 mice of each sex were exposed to tetrachloroethylene at 100-1,600 ppm for 6 hours per day, 5 days per week. During the 13-week studies, 1,600 ppm tetrachloroethylene was lethal to 20%-70% of the rats and mice and reduced the final body weights of survivors. In rats, tetrachloroethylene at 200-800 ppm caused minimal to mild hepatic congestion. In dosed male and female mice, minimal to mild hepatic leukocytic infiltration, centrilobular necrosis, bile stasis (400-1,600 ppm), and mitotic alteration (200-1,600 ppm) were produced. Tetrachloroethylene exposure also caused minimal renal tubular cell karyomegaly in mice at concentrations as low as 200 ppm. During the 2-year studies, exposure to tetrachloroethylene did not consistently affect body weight gains in either rats or mice. Exposure at 400 ppm tetrachloroethylene reduced the survival of male rats (control, 23/50; low dose, 20/50; high dose, 12/50). This reduced survival may have been related to an increased incidence of mononuclear cell leukemia. Tetrachloroethylene at both exposure concentrations reduced the survival of male mice (46/50; 25/50; 32/50), whereas exposure at 200 ppm reduced female mouse survival (36/50; 31/50; 19/50). Early deaths in mice may have been related to the development of hepatocellular carcinomas. Both concentrations of tetrachloroethylene were associated with increased incidences of mononuclear cell leukemia in male rats (28/50; 37/50; 37/50). In female rats, tetrachloroethylene increased the incidence of leukemia (18/50; 30/50; 29/50) and decreased the time to occurrence of the disease. Tetrachloroethylene produced renal tubular cell karyomegaly in male and female rats, renal tubular cell hyperplasia in male rats, and renal tubular cell adenomas or adenocarcinomas (combined) in male rats (1/49; 3/49; 4/50). The incidence of the renal tubular cell tumors was not statistically significant; these uncommon tumors have been consistently found at low incidences in male rats in other 2-year studies of chlorinated ethanes and ethylenes. One low dose male rat had a kidney lipoma, and another had a nephroblastoma. Four high dose male and two high dose female rats had gliomas of the brain, whereas one control male and one control female had this tumor. In male and female mice, tetrachloroethylene caused dose-related increases in the incidences of hepatocellular neoplasms. In males, tetrachloroethylene at 200 ppm increased the incidence of hepatocellular adenomas (11/49; 8/49; 18/50) and at both concentrations increased the incidence of hepatocellular carcinomas (7/49; 25/49; 26/50). In female mice, tetrachloroethylene at both concentrations increased the incidences of hepatocellular carcinomas (1/48; 13/50; 36/50). Tetrachloroethylene also produced renal tubular cell karyomegaly in both sexes of mice, and one low dose male mouse had a tubular cell adenocarcinoma. In these inhalation studies, there were no neoplastic changes in the respiratory tracts of either species, but there was an increase in the incidence of squamous metaplasia in the nasal cavities in dosed male rats (0/50; 5/50; 5/50). Tetrachloroethylene was not mutagenic in Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98, TA100, TA1535, or TA1537 in the presence or absence of male Syrian hamster or male Sprague-Dawley rat liver S9. Tetrachloroethylene was not mutagenic in was not mutagenic in L5178Y/TK&plusmn; mouse lymphoma cells with or without metabolic activation and did not induce sex-linked recessive lethal mutations in Drosophila melanogaster. Tetrachloroethylene did not induce sister-chromatid exchanges or chromosomal aberrations in Chinese hamster ovary cells in the presence or absence of metabolic activation. An audit of the experimental data was conducted for these 2-year studies on tetrachloroethylene. No data discrepancies were found that influenced the final interpretations. Under the conditions of these 2-year inhalation studies, there was clear evidence of carcinogenicity of tetrachloroethylene for male F344/N rats as shown by an increased incidence of mononuclear cell leukemia and uncommon renal tubular cell neoplasms. There was some evidence of carcinogenicity of tetrachloroethylene for female F344/N rats as shown by increased incidences of mononuclear cell leukemia. There was clear evidence of carcinogenicity for B6C3F1 mice as shown by increased incidences of both hepatocellular adenomas and carcinomas in males and of hepatocellular carcinomas in females. Synonyms: carbon bichloride; carbon dichloride; ethylene tetrachloride; per; perc; perchlor; perchlorethylene; perchloroethylene; perk; tetrachlorethylene; 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethylene Trade names: Ankilostin; Antisal 1; Dee-Solv; Didakene; Dow-Per; ENT 1860; Fedel-Un; Nema; Perclene; Percosolv; Perklone; PerSec; Tetlen; Tetracap; Tetraleno; Tetravec; Tetroguer; Tetropil

Journal Article↗

[Concept of isoenzymes in clinical points of views].

In the fields of clinical medicine, the word "isoenzyme/isozyme" was widely and easily used for the heterogeneities of plasma enzymes. The word "isozyme" seemed to be synonym for the multiple forms of enzymes. The Committee of Biochemical Nomenclature in IUPAC/IUB proposed six categories for multiple forms of enzymes in 1776. In this paper, additional four categories were proposed for the understanding the clinical significance of enzyme heterogeneities. These categories were follows, 1) enzyme linked immunoglobulins. 2) protease modified heterogeneities of plasma enzymes. 3) membrane associated plasma enzymes. 4) different enzymes reacted for the same substrates. Including these four classes, "isozyme", the multiple forms of enzymes in clinical uses were clearly categorized for clinical purposes.

Humans↗

Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of Naphthalene (CAS No. 91-20-3) in B6C3F1 Mice (Inhalation Studies).

Naphthalene, a white, crystalline powder, is used as a moth repellent and in the manufacture of phthalic and anthranilic acids, naphthylamines, and synthetic resins. The 2-year studies were conducted by exposing groups of male and female B6C3F1 mice to naphthalene (>99% pure) vapor for 6 hours daily, 5 days per week, for 104 weeks. Genetic toxicology studies were conducted in Salmonella typhimurium and Chinese hamster ovary cells. 2-Year Studies: Groups of male and female mice were exposed to atmospheres containing 0 (75 mice per group), 10 (75 mice per group), or 30 ppm (150 mice per group) naphthalene. Mice from each group were included for 14-day hematology evaluations (male: 0 ppm, 5 animals; 10 ppm, 4; 30 ppm, 10; female: 0 ppm, 4; 10 ppm, 5; 30 ppm, 10). Mean body weights of exposed mice were slightly lower than those of controls throughout the studies. Survival of male control mice was significantly less than that of exposed mice; the lower survival was the result of wound trauma and secondary infections related to fighting among the group-housed mice (0 ppm, 26/70, 37%; 10 ppm, 52/69, 75%; 30 ppm, 118/133, 89%). Survival of exposed female mice was similar to that of controls (59/69, 86%; 57/65, 88%; 102/135, 76%). Neoplastic and Nonneoplastic Effects in the 2-Year Studies: No increase in tumor incidence related to naphthalene administration was observed in male mice. In females, the incidence of pulmonary alveolar/bronchiolar adenomas was significantly greater in the high-dose group than in the controls (5/69, 7%; 2/65, 3%; 28/135, 21%). One other high-dose female had an alveolar/bronchiolar carcinoma. The combined incidence of alveolar/ bronchiolar adenomas and carcinomas in the high-dose females was above those for control female B6C3F1 mice from NTP feed, water, and inhalation studies (91/1,166, 7.8%, range 0%-16%). These lung tumors were attributed to naphthalene exposure. Nonneoplastic lesions attributed to naphthalene exposure were observed in the nose and lungs of mice of both sexes. In the nose, naphthalene exposure was associated with an increase in the incidence and severity of chronic inflammation, metaplasia of the olfactory epithelium, and hyperplasia of respiratory epithelium. Chronic inflammation in the lung was associated with chemical exposure. Genetic Toxicology: Naphthalene was negative for the induction of gene mutations in Salmonella typhimurium strains TA100, TA1535, TA1537, and TA98 with and without exogenous metabolic activation (S9). In cytogenetic tests with Chinese hamster ovary cells, naphthalene induced sister chromatid exchanges with and without S9 activation. Exposure to naphthalene induced a significant increase in chromosomal aberrations in Chinese hamster ovary cells in the presence of S9. Conclusions: Under the conditions of these 2-year inhalation studies, there was no evidence of carcinogenic activity of naphthalene in male B6C3F1 mice exposed to 10 or 30 ppm. There was some evidence of carcinogenic activity of naphthalene in female B6C3F1 mice, based on increased incidences of pulmonary alveolar/ bronchiolar adenomas. In both male and female mice, naphthalene caused increased incidences and severity of chronic inflammation, metaplasia of the olfactory epithelium, and hyperplasia of the respiratory epithelium in the nose and chronic inflammation in the lungs. Synonyms: Naphthalin, Naphthene, Tar Camphor

Journal Article↗

NTP Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of HC Yellow 4 (CAS No. 59820-43-8) in F344 Rats and B6C3F1 Mice (Feed Studies).

HC Yellow 4 is used in semipermanent hair dyes. Toxicology and carcinogenesis studies were conducted by administering HC Yellow 4 (greater than 93% pure) in feed to groups of F344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice of each sex for 14 days, 13 weeks, and 2 years. Genetic toxicology studies were conducted in Salmonella typhimurium, cultured Chinese hamster ovary cells, and Drosophila melanogaster. 14-Day Studies: Groups of five rats of each sex were given 0, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 40,000, or 80,000 ppm and groups of five mice of each sex were given 0, 1,250, 2,500, 5,000, 10,000, or 20,000 ppm HC Yellow 4 in feed for 14 days. All animals survived to the end of the studies. Final mean body weights of male rats that received 20,000 ppm or more, female rats that received 10,000 ppm or more, and female mice that received 20,000 ppm were significantly lower than those of the controls. The mean body weights of exposed and control groups of male mice were similar. No chemical-related decrease in feed consumption was observed. No chemical-related clinical findings or changes in absolute or relative organ weights occurred in rats or mice. No gross or microscopic changes were related to HC Yellow 4 administration in rats or mice. 13-Week Studies: Groups of 10 rats of each sex were fed diets containing 0, 2,500, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, or 40,000 ppm and groups of 10 mice of each sex were fed diets containing 0, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 40,000, or 80,000 ppm HC Yellow 4 for 13 weeks. All rats survived to study termination. Chemical-related deaths occurred at the two highest dose levels in male and female mice. Final mean body weights of male rats that received 10,000 ppm or greater, female rats that received 20,000 or 40,000 ppm, and mice that received 10,000 ppm or greater were significantly lower than those of the controls. There were no biologically significant changes in absolute or relative organ weights. Mineralization of the renal papilla occurred in all male rats in the 40,000 ppm group. Thyroid pigmentation occurred in rats receiving 40,000 ppm and in mice at all dose levels. Uterine atrophy occurred in female rats in the 20,000 and 40,000 ppm groups and female mice in the 40,000 and 80,000 ppm groups. Lymphoid depletion and atrophy of the spleen occurred in male mice that received 40,000 or 80,000 ppm and female mice that received 80,000 ppm. Atrophy of the thymus occurred in male and female mice that received 40,000 or 80,000 ppm. 2-Year Studies: Groups of 70 male rats were fed diets containing 0, 2,500, or 5,000 ppm and groups of 70 female rats and 70 mice of each sex were fed diets containing 0, 5,000, or 10,000 ppm HC Yellow 4 for up to 2 years. Interim evaluations were performed on 10 rats and 10 mice from each dose group at 6 and 15 months. No biologically significant changes in absolute or relative organ weight or hematology or clinical chemistry values were found in these rats or mice. No compound-related lesions were seen in exposed rats. In exposed mice, pigmentation of the thyroid gland was observed at the 6-month interim evaluations; pigmentation and hyperplasia of the thyroid gland were seen at the 15-month interim evaluations. Body Weight, Survival, and Feed Consumption in the 2-Year Studies: The mean body weight of female rats that received 10,000 ppm was significantly lower than that of the controls. The mean body weights of mice receiving 10,000 ppm were 20% to 30% lower than those of the controls during the second year of the studies. The survival of exposed rats and mice was similar to that of the controls. Neoplasms and Nonneoplastic Lesions in the 2-Year Studies: Pituitary gland pars distalis adenomas were marginally increased in exposed male rats (0 ppm, 17/45; 2,500 ppm, 20/49; 5,000 ppm, 28/49), and there was a concomitant dose-related increase in the incidence of hyperplasia (8/45, 13/49, 18/49). There was no increase in the incidence of pituitary gland adenomas or carcinomas in female rats (34/49, 35/48, 30/49). In mice, no neoplasms were considered related to chemical administration. However, a dose-related incr, a dose-related increased incidence of thyroid gland pigmentation and follicular cell hyperplasia occurred in both sexes of mice. Genetic Toxicology: HC Yellow 4 was mutagenic in Salmonella typhimurium strains TA100, TA1537, and TA98 with and without exogenous metabolic activation (S9); the response in strain TA1535 without S9 was equivocal. HC Yellow 4 induced sister chromatid exchanges in Chinese hamster ovary cells in the absence but not the presence of S9 activation; no induction of chromosomal aberrations occurred in Chinese hamster ovary cells, with or without S9. HC Yellow 4 induced sex-linked recessive lethal mutations in germ cells of adult male Drosophila melanogaster when administered by injection; results of a reciprocal translocation test in D. melanogaster were negative. Conclusions: Under the conditions of these 2-year feed studies, there was equivocal evidence of carcinogenic activity of HC Yellow 4 in male F344/N rats based on the increased incidence of pituitary gland adenomas and hyperplasia. The male rats may have been able to tolerate a slightly higher dose of the chemical. There was no evidence of carcinogenic activity of HC Yellow 4 in female F344/N rats given 5,000 or 10,000 ppm. There was no evidence of carcinogenic activity of HC Yellow 4 in male or female B6C3F1 mice given 5,000 or 10,000 ppm. There was a chemical-related increase in the incidence of thyroid gland pigmentation and follicular cell hyperplasia in mice. Synonym: N,O-di(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-amino-5-nitrophenol

Journal Article↗

The role of climate in human mitochondrial DNA evolution: a reappraisal.

Previous studies have proposed that selection has been involved in the differentiation of human mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and climate was the main driving force. This viewpoint, however, gets no support from the subsequent studies and remains controversial thus far. To clarify this issue, a total of 237 complete mtDNA sequences belonging to autochthonous lineages from South Asia, Oceania, and East Asia were collected to seek for the imprint of selection. Based on nonsynonymous (N) and synonymous (S) substitutions analysis, our results confirmed that purifying selection was the predominant force during the evolution of human mtDNA. However, no significant and extensive difference was detected among these three regions, which did not support the climate adaptation hypothesis but preferred random genetic drift to be the main factor in shaping the current landscape of human mtDNA, at least those from Asian and Oceanian regions.

Amino Acid Substitution↗