Detection of estrogen DNA-adducts in human breast tumor tissue and healthy tissue by combined nano LC-nano ES tandem mass spectrometry

For the first time estrogen DNA-adducts were identified in DNA human breast tumor tissue using nano-LC coupled to nano-Electrospray Tandem Mass Spectrometry. Normal breast tissue was analyzed analogously. The data obtained in the five breast tumor and five adjacent normal tissue samples were compared qualitatively, but no straightforward difference was observed. Prior to LC-MS analysis the DNA was enzymatically hydrolyzed to a nucleoside pool. The DNA-hydrolysates were directly injected onto a column switching system developed for on-line sample clean-up and subsequent analysis of the DNA-adducts. In four patients using Premarin, DNA-adducts of 4-hydroxy-equilenin (4OHEN) were detected. All except three samples contained DNA-adducts from 4-hydroxy-estradiol or 4-hydroxy-estrone. Also DNA isolated from eight alcohol fixed and paraffin embedded breast tumor tissue showed the presence of different estrogen DNA-adducts. Worthwhile mentioning is the presence of adducts responding to m/z 570 > m/z 454 transition. This is a well-known SRM-transition indicative for the presence of the 2'-deoxyguanosine (dGuo) adduct of Benzo[a]pyrene.     

The characterization of (+/-)-anti-benzo[a]pyrene diolepoxide-DNA adducts and (+/-)-anti-dibenzo[a,l]pyrene diolepoxide--DNA adducts in the same DNA sample using solid-matrix phosphorescence

Solid-matrix phosphorescence (SMP) spectra and lifetimes were used to characterize the (±)-anti-benzo[a]pyrene diolepoxide [(±)-anti-B[a]PDE] and (±)-anti-dibenzo[a,l]pyrene diolepoxide [(±)-anti-DB[a,l]PDE] bonded to the same sample of DNA. SMP spectra and lifetimes were also acquired for two samples of DNA that had only (±)-anti-B[a]PDE or (±)-anti-DB[a,l]PDE bonded to the individual samples of DNA. A detailed comparison of the SMP properties was made among the three samples of DNA. The SMP excitation spectra for the (±)-anti-B[a]PDE-DNA and the (±)-anti-DB[a,l]PDE-DNA adducts were very similar. However, the SMP emission spectra of the two DNA adduct systems were very dissimilar with a major emission band for the (±)-anti-B[a]PDE-DNA adducts appearing at 613 nm and for the (±)-anti-DB[a,l]PDE-DNA adducts a major band was at 558 nm. It was possible to selectively use SMP emission wavelengths and obtain a SMP excitation of spectrum of the (±)-anti-DB[a,l]PDE-DNA adducts in the dual adducted DNA sample without the (±)-anti-B[a]PDE-DNA adducts emitting SMP. In addition, it was shown that the SMP emission spectrum of the dual adducted DNA sample could be used to detect both adduct systems in the modified DNA sample. It was demonstrated that the SMP lifetimes could be effectively employed to characterize the dual adducted DNA sample. For example, the SMP decay curve for the (±)-anti-DB[a,l]PDE-DNA adducts could be acquired without any SMP emission from the (±)-anti-B[a]PDE-DNA adducts. Also, ln(SMP intensity) versus time plots were very useful in characterizing the dual adducted DNA sample.     

Fluorinated alcohol mediated control over cis vs trans opening of benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-diol 9,10-epoxides at C-10 by the exocyclic amino groups of O6-allyl protected deoxyguanosine and of deoxyadenosine

A detailed study was carried out on the stereoselective control of cis- vs trans-opening of (+/-)-7beta,8alpha-dihydroxy-9beta,10beta-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene {B[a]P DE-1 (1)} and (+/-)-7beta,8alpha-dihydroxy-9alpha,10alpha-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene {B[a]P DE-2 (2)} at C-10 by the exocyclic amino groups of protected purine nucleosides in the fluorinated alcohols trifluoroethanol (TFE), hexafluoropropan-2-ol (HFP), and perfluoro-tert-butanol (PFTB). Addition of the 2-amino group of O6-allyl-3',5'-di-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-2'-deoxyguanosine (3) and of the 6-amino group of 3',5'-di-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-2'-deoxyadenosine (4) occurs at C-10 of the epoxides. The observed cis:trans ratio for the reaction of DE-1 (1) in the presence of 5 equiv of 3 over the range of 10-250 equiv of fluorinated alcohol varied from 53:47 to 87:13 for TFE, 60:40 to 92:8 for HFP, and 52:48 to 73:27 for PFTB. The corresponding ratios for DE-2 (2) varied from 22:78 to 72:28 for HFP under the same set of conditions. In contrast, the corresponding ratios for DE-2 (2) remained unchanged ( approximately 40:60) for TFE and for PFTB over the range of 25-250 molar equiv. Unlike the addition of the dGuo reactant 3, the corresponding addition of the dAdo reactant (4) to the DEs (1 or 2) in over 25 molar equiv of TFE occurred highly stereoselectively to afford only cis adducts for both DEs. A highly efficient HPLC separation of dGuo adduct diastereomers derived from DE-2 (2) was developed using acetone as a modifier in CH2Cl2 or in n-hexane. Through the use of varying molar ratios of the different fluorinated alcohols described above and the newly developed HPLC separation method, the four possible phosphoramidites (cis/trans, R/S) of the B[a]P DE-2 N2-dGuo adducts can be prepared in an efficient fashion on gram scale for use in oligonucleotide synthesis.     

Characterisation of estrone-nucleic acid adducts formed by reaction of 3,4-estrone-o-quinone with 2'-deoxynucleosides/deoxynucleotides using capillary liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Xenobiotic and endobiotic molecules can react with DNA leading to formation of so-called DNA adducts. This modified DNA can be repaired enzymatically, but, if not, these modifications are believed to be responsible for the initiation of carcinogenic processes. Hence, we studied the interaction of 2'-deoxynucleosides and 2'-deoxynucleotides with 3,4-estronequinone (3,4-E(1)Q), a metabolite of estrone (E(1)) and a supposed carcinogen. These estrone-nucleic acid adducts were analysed by capillary liquid chromatography (CapLC) coupled to electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Knowledge of their behaviour from in vitro studies is a prerequisite for detecting adducts in in vivo studies. Our initial attempts to synthesise nucleos(t)ide adducts of 3,4-E(1)Q in an aprotic solvent (dimethylformamide) yielded no adducts. However, under acidic aqueous conditions, adducts were obtained. With dGuo, a dGuo adduct was found in addition to a Gua adduct. Earlier publications on adduct formation in protic solvents failed to report formation of any adduct with dAdo. A N(3)-Ade adduct was reported upon reaction of 3,4-E(1)Q with Ade base and with DNA. With dAdo, we obtained two nucleoside adducts and six Ade adducts due to loss of 2'-deoxyribose. Thus, contrary to general belief that only 2,3-E(1)Q can form stable adducts, we showed formation of substantial amounts of intact DNA adducts with 3,4-E(1)Q in addition to deglycosylated adducts. Adducts were also obtained with dGMP and dAMP, but no phosphate alkylation was found. Adducts of dCyd, dCMP, dThd, and dTMP were not detected. Using chromatographic-MS data a structural relationship between the 2'-deoxynucleoside, 2'-deoxynucleotide and base adducts was found in the various reaction mixtures. The adducts of dGuo and dGMP reaction mixtures were alkylated at the same N(7)-position of the nucleobase, as indicated by the occurrence of a rapid deglycosylation reaction. In dAdo and dAMP reaction mixtures, 14 adducts were detected; their relationships from the LC and MS data reduced the number of structures to six adenine base alkylated adducts with respect to alkylation between N(1), N(3), N(7) and/or N(6) in the adenine and C(1), C(2) and/or C(6) in 3,4-E(1)Q. We could infer, in addition, whether they had an A ring attachment or a C(6) attachment on the estrone moiety.     

Depurinating acylfulvene-DNA adducts: characterizing cellular chemical reactions of a selective antitumor agent

Acylfulvenes (AFs) are a class of semisynthetic agents with high toxicity toward certain tumor cells, and for one analogue, hydroxymethylacylfulvene (HMAF), clinical trials are in progress. DNA alkylation by AFs, mediated by bioreductive activation, is believed to contribute to cytotoxicity, but the structures and chemical properties of corresponding DNA adducts are unknown. This study provides the first structural characterization of AF-specific DNA adducts. In the presence of a reductive enzyme, alkenal/one oxidoreductase (AOR), AF selectively alkylates dAdo and dGuo in reactions with a monomeric nucleoside, as well as in reactions with naked or cellular DNA, with 3-alkyl-dAdo as the apparently most abundant AF-DNA adduct. Characterization of this adduct was facilitated by independent chemical synthesis of the corresponding 3-alkyl-Ade adduct. In addition, in naked or cellular DNA, evidence was obtained for the formation of an additional type of adduct resulting from direct conjugate addition of Ade to AF followed by hydrolytic cyclopropane ring-opening, indicating the potential for a competing reaction pathway involving direct DNA alkylation. The major AF-dAdo and AF-dGuo adducts are unstable under physiologically relevant conditions and depurinate to release an alkylated nucleobase in a process that has a half-life of 8.5 h for 3-alkyladenine and less than approximately 2 h for dGuo adducts. DNA alkylation further leads to single-stranded DNA cleavage, occurring exclusively at dGuo and dAdo sites, in a nonsequence-specific manner. In AF-treated cells that were transfected with either AOR or control vectors, the DNA adducts identified match those from in vitro studies. Moreover, a positive correlation was observed between DNA adduct levels and cell sensitivity to AF. The potential contributing roles of AOR-mediated bioactivation and adduct stability to the cytotoxicity of AF are discussed.     

Qualitative study of in vivo melphalan adduct formation in the rat by miniaturized column-switching liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray mass spectrometry

In a general study of DNA adduct formation with melphalan, rats were intravenously injected with a single high dose (10 mg kg(-1)). Adduct formation was studied at the nucleoside level in the target organs liver, bone marrow, kidney and blood with the use of 2D liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). Adducts of dGuo and dAdo were detected under selected reaction monitoring in liver and bone marrow 10 h after administration of melphalan. In the DNA hydrolysates from kidney and blood a Gua-melphalan adduct was found, although in very low abundance. These first results of the search for in vivo-formed melphalan adducts in the rat showed that our miniaturized LC/MS technique is useful for investigating this type of compound. More experiments will be performed in this area to gather more information about the pharmacokinetics and the quantity of adducts formed.     

Metal-intercalator-mediated self-association and one-dimensional aggregation in the structure of the excised major DNA adduct of a platinum-acridine agent

The crystal structure of the excised major DNA monoadduct, [Pt(en)(ACRAMTU-S)(dGuo-N7)]3+ ("dGuo*"; en = ethane-1,2-diamine; ACRAMTU = 1-[2-(acridin-9-ylamino)ethyl]-1,3-dimethylthiourea, acridinium cation; dGuo = 2'-deoxyguanosine), of a platinum-acridine cytotoxic agent is reported. The adduct dGuo*, previously identified in enzymatic digests of native DNA treated with this drug, is partially deprotonated and dimerizes through formation of a rare GG- mismatch base pair, which is sandwiched between the planar chromophores of the acridine nonleaving groups linked to platinum. NMR evidence exists that indicates that the dimeric form persists in neutral aqueous solution. The one-dimensional pi-stack produced by the dimers in the solid state is reminiscent of a coordinative-intercalative DNA binding mode.     

Stereochemical, structural, and thermodynamic origins of stability differences between stereoisomeric benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide deoxyadenosine adducts in a DNA mutational hot spot sequence.

Benzo[a]pyrene (BP), a prototype polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), can be metabolically activated to the enantiomeric benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxides (BPDEs), (+)-(7R,8S,9S,10R)-7,8-dihydroxy-9,10-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene and the (-)-(7S,8R,9R,10S) enantiomer. These can react with adenine residues in DNA, to produce the stereoisomeric 10S (+)- and 10R (-)-trans-anti-[BP]-N(6)-dA adducts. High-resolution NMR solution studies indicate that in DNA duplexes the 10R (-) adduct is intercalated on the 5'-side of the modified adenine, while the 10S (+) adduct is disordered, exhibits multiple adduct conformations, and is positioned on the 3'-side of the modified adenine. Duplexes containing the 10S (+) adduct positioned at A within codon 61 of the human N-ras sequence CAA are thermodynamically less stable and more easily excised by human DNA repair enzymes than those containing the 10R (-) adduct. However, the molecular origins of these differences are not understood and represent a fascinating opportunity for elucidating structure-function relationships. We have carried out a computational investigation to uncover the structural and thermodynamic origins of these effects in the 11-mer duplex sequence d(CGGACAAGAAG).d(CTTCTTGTCCG) by performing a 2-ns molecular dynamics simulation using NMR solution structures as the basis for the starting models. Then, we applied the MM-PBSA (molecular mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann surface area) method to compute free energy differences between the stereoisomeric adducts. The 10R (-) isomer is more stable by approximately 13 kcal/mol, of which approximately 10 kcal/mol is enthalpic, which agrees quite well with their observed differences in thermodynamic stability. The lower stability of the 10S (+) adduct is due to diminished stacking by the BP moiety in the intercalation pocket, more helix unwinding, and a diminished quality of Watson-Crick base pairing. The latter stems from conformational heterogeneity involving a syn-anti equilibrium of the glycosidic bond in the modified adenine residue. The lower stability and conformational heterogeneity of the 10S (+) adduct may play a role in its enhanced susceptibility to nucleotide excision repair.     

Unprecedented monofunctional metalation of adenine nucleobase in guanine- and thymine-containing dinucleotide sequences by a cytotoxic platinum-acridine hybrid agent

We have investigated the reactions of [PtCl(en)(ACRAMTU-S)](NO(3))(2) (2) (en = ethane-1,2-diamine; ACRAMTU = 1-[2-(acridin-9-ylamino)ethyl]-1,3-dimethylthiourea, acridinium cation, 1), the prototype of a new class of cytotoxic DNA-targeted agents, with 2'-deoxyguanosine (dGuo) and random-sequence native DNA by in-line liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) and NMR spectroscopy ((1)H, (195)Pt) to identify the covalent adducts formed by platinum. In the mononucleoside model system, two adducts are observed, [Pt(en)(ACRAMTU)(dGuo)](3+) (P1, major) and [Pt(en)(dGuo)(2)](2+) (P2, minor). The reaction, which proceeds significantly slower (half-life 11-12 h at 37 degrees C, pH 6.5) than analogous reactions with cisplatin and reactions of 2 with double-stranded DNA, results in the unexpected displacement of the sulfur-bound acridine ligand in approximately 15% of the adducts. This reactivity is not observed in double-stranded DNA, rendering 1 a typical nonleaving group in reactions with this potential biological target. In enzymatic digests of calf thymus DNA treated with 2, three adducts were identified: [Pt(en)(ACRAMTU)(dGuo)](3+) (A1, approximately 80%), [Pt(en)(ACRAMTU)[d(GpA)]](2+) (A2, approximately 12%), and [Pt(en)(ACRAMTU)[d(TpA)]](2+) (A3, approximately 8%). A1 and P1 proved to be identical species. In the dinucleotide adducts A2 and A3, complex 2 covalently modifies adenine at GA and TA base steps, which are high-affinity intercalation sites of the acridine derivative 1. A2 and A3, which may be formed in the minor groove of DNA, are the first examples of monofunctional adenine adducts of divalent platinum formed in double-stranded DNA. The analysis of the adduct profile indicates that the sequence specificity of 1 plays an important role in the molecular recognition between DNA and the corresponding conjugate, 2. Possible biological consequences of the unusual adduct profile are discussed.     

Synthesis of enantiomerically pure 1,2-diamine derivatives of 7-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane. New leads as glycosidase inhibitors and rigid scaffolds for the preparation of peptide analogues

Enantiomerically pure alcohols (-)- and (+)-7-tert-butoxycarbonyl-6-endo-p-toluenesulfonyl-7-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-en-5-endo-ol ((-)-11 and (+)-11) have been obtained from the Diels-Alder adduct of N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)pyrroel and 2-bromo-1-p-toluenesulfonylacetylene, including a resolution method. These two alcohols were converted into (+)- and (-)-5-exo-amino-7-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-2,3-exo-isopropylidenedioxy-7-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane ((+)-18 and (-)-18) and (+)- and (-)-5-endo-amino-7-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-2,3-exo-isopropylidenedioxy-7-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane ((+)-19 and (-)-19) after adequate functionalization and desulfonylation steps. The corresponding conformationally constrained bicyclic 1,2-diamines (+)-4, (-)-4, (+/-)-5, (+/-)-6, (+)-7, and (-)-7 were obtained from the protected precursors 18 and 19 and evaluated as glycosidase inhibitors. Diamines (+)-4, (-)-4, (+)-6, and (-)-6 can be seen as new nonpeptide molecular scaffolds for the design of peptide analogues.     

A thermodynamic and kinetic study of hydride transfer of a caffeine derivative

One representative type of heterocyclic compound that can release a hydride ion is 7,8-dihydro-9-methylcaffeine (CAFH). The one-electron oxidation potential of CAFH [-0.294 (V vs Fc(+/0))] and the one-electron reduction potential of CAF(+) [-2.120 (V vs Fc(+/0))] were obtained using two different methods, CV and OSWV. Applying titration calorimetry data in thermodynamic cycles, the enthalpies of CAFH releasing a hydride ion [57.6 kcal/mol] and releasing a hydrogen atom [80.3 kcal/mol] and of its radical cation CAFH(?+) releasing a proton [33.0 kcal/mol] and releasing a hydrogen atom [38.4 kcal/mol] have been determined. Several conclusions can be drawn from the thermodynamic results: (1) CAFH is a very good single-electron donor whose single-electron oxidation potential is much less positive than that of NAD(P)H model compound BNAH [E(ox) = 0.219 V vs Fc(+/0)]. (2) The single-electron reduction potential of CAF(+) is much more negative than that of BNA(+) [E(red) = -1.419 V], which means that CAF(+) is not a good electron acceptor. Furthermore, CAFH is a very good hydride donor compared to BNAH. The results of non-steady-state kinetic studies, for the reaction of CAFH and AcrH(+)ClO(4)(-), show that the ratio of t(0.50)/t(0.05) is larger than 13.5 and the ratio of k(init)/k(pfo) is larger than 1. The pseudo-first-order rate constants obtained at different reaction stages decrease with the time, and the kinetic isotope was observed to be small at a short reaction time and slowly increases to 3.72 with the progress of the reaction. These kinetic results clearly display that the hydride transfer of CAFH to AcrH(+) in acetonitrile is not a one-step mechanism, while the thermodynamic results show that CAFH is a very good electron donor. The combination of the kinetic results with the thermodynamics analysis shows that the hydride transfer of the caffeine derivative CAFH takes place by a two-step reversible mechanism and there is an intermediate in the reaction.     

Preparation, identification and analysis of stereoisomeric anti-benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide-deoxyguanosine adducts using phenyl liquid chromatography with diode array, fluorescence and tandem mass spectrometry detection

Benzo[a]pyrene, a common environmental pollutant, can be metabolized into reactive anti-benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide (anti-BPDE), which predominantly binds to deoxyguanine in DNA and forms four stereoisomeric adducts. To characterize the stereochemistry of these adduct isomers, preparation of single adducted deoxyguanosine (dG) is required for efficient enantiomeric analysis. Here, we demonstrate an improved method for preparation, identification, and analysis of four BPDE-adducted dGs, including (+)-trans-, (-)-trans-, (+)-cis-, and (-)-cis-anti-BPDE-N(2)-dG. These stereoisomerically adducted nucleosides were first synthesized by a direct reaction of (+/-)-anti-BPDE with dG, followed by optimized solid-phase extraction (SPE) and HPLC purification. The reaction of (+/-)-anti-BPDE and dG displayed a yield as high as 45%. The developed preparation method does not require any enzymatic digestion. Based on highly efficient separation achieved by optimization of stationary phase and mobile phase, LC-UV-MS/MS and LC-diode array detection (DAD)-fluorescence detection (FL) methods were established for characterization and analysis of the four stereoisomeric anti-BPDE-dGs. The established LC-DAD-FL method may provide characterization and analysis of four stereoisomeric anti-BPDE-dGs and two interfering anti-BPDE tetrols by taking advantage of their distinct fluorescence quenching.     

Phenylglycidyl ether adducts of 2′-deoxycytidine and 2′-deoxyadenosine: Stability in solution and structure analysis by electrospray tandem mass spectrometry

The adducts of phenylglycidyl ether with 2′-deoxyadenosine (dAdo) and 2′-deoxycytidine (dCyd) exhibit structural modifications. The N-1 adduct of dAdo underwent rearrangement to the N-6 adduct; the N-3 adduct of dCyd was deaminated to the corresponding 2′-deoxyuridine adduct. These structural modifications were studied by using liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry, and kinetic data for both reactions are presented. The low energy (+) collision-activated dissociation spectra of the dAdo adducts allow the two positional isomers N-1 versus N-6 to be distinguished. The structure of the latter is independently proven by an extended NMR study. For the dCyd and 2′-deoxyuridine adducts, information about the alkylation site is found in the (?) collision-activated dissociation spectra. These spectra show the presence of an unexpected N-4-alkylated dCyd in addition to the two epimeric N-3 adducts.     

Evaluation of the enantiomeric resolution of 7,8-dihydroxy-7,8-dihydrobenzo[a]-pyrene and its 6-fluoro and 6-bromo derivatives on polysaccharide-derived stationary phases

The enantiomeric resolution and the elution order of (+/-)-trans-7,8-dihydrodiols of benzo[a]pyrene and its 6-fluoro and 6-bromo derivatives were analyzed on three polysaccharide-based columns: Daicel Chiralcel CA-I (cellulose triacetate), OF, and OG [cellulose tris(4-chloro- and 4-methylphenylcarbamate)]. For comparison, the separation of (+/-)-1,1'-bi-2-naphthol was evaluated on the OG and OF columns. Possibly similar interactions of (S)-1,1'-bi-2-naphthol and (7S,8S)-isomers of 6-halo-7,8-dihydroxy-7,8-dihydrobenzo[a]pyrene with the chiral sorbent are suggested.     

Identification and quantification of urinary benzo[a]pyrene and its metabolites from asphalt fume exposed mice by microflow LC coupled to hybrid quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Prolonged, extensive exposure to asphalt fume has been associated with several adverse health effects. Inhaled polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from asphalt fume exposure have been suspected of inducing such effects. In this study, a bioanalytical method was proposed and evaluated to identify and quantify benzo[a]pyrene and its hydroxy-metabolites. This method is based on coupling a microflow liquid chromatography (LC) to a hybrid quadrupole orthogonal acceleration time-of-flight mass spectrometry (Q-TOFMS). In the experiment, thirty-two B6C3FI mice were exposed to asphalt fume in a whole body inhalation chamber for 10 days (4 h day(-1)) and twelve other mice were used as controls. The asphalt fume was generated at 180 degrees C and the concentrations in the animal exposure chamber ranged 175-182 mg m(-3). Benzo[a]pyrene and its metabolites of 3-hydroxybenzo[a]pyrene, benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-dihydrodiol(+/-), benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-dihydrodiol-9,10-epoxide(+/-), and benzo[a]pyrene-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrotetrol(+/-) in the urine of asphalt fume exposed mice were identified and found at 3.18 ng 100 mL(-1), 31.36 ng 100 mL(-1), 11.56 ng 100 mL(-1), 54.92 ng 100 mL(-1), and 45.23 ng 100 mL(-1) respectively. The results revealed that the urinary benzo[a]pyrene and its hydroxy-metabolites from exposed mice were at significantly higher levels (p < 0.001) than those from the control groups. Compared with several other technologies such as HPLC-UV and HPLC-fluorescence, the new method is more sensitive and selective, and it can also provide additional useful information on the structures of the metabolites. Hence, this method can be used to perform the assessment and to study the mechanisms of the adverse health effects. The fragmentation patterns established in this study can also be used to identify and quantify PAH metabolites in other biological fluids.     

DNA Interaction with 17α‐Ethinylestradiol Studied Using Electrochemical Biosensors and Biosensing in Solution

The synthetic estrogen 17α‐ethinylestradiol (EE2) is an active component of oral contraceptives. It is considered as an endocrine disrupting compound that, once incorporated into an organism, affects the hormonal balance of animals and humans. In this study we characterized the DNA‐EE2 interaction using an electrochemical biosensor and biosensing in solution phase with the double stranded DNA from salmon sperm and deoxyguanosine monophosphate (dGMP). Differential pulse voltammetry method has been applied based on voltammetric anodic responses of the deoxyguanine (dGuo) and deoxyadenine (dAdo) as well as EE2 in the medium of phosphate buffer solution pH 7.0. Binding of EE2 to the nucleobases leads to a decrease of their anodic signals. Association constant for DNA‐EE2 interaction has been estimated to be about 1.1 ? 10³ L mol^?1 and 1.4 ? 10³ L mol^?1 for dGuo and dAdo responses, respectively. The association is reversible as indicated by decrease of the EE2 response in pure buffer solution due to leaching of EE2 from the surface attached DNA. The DNA‐EE2 association has been confirmed also by UV‐vis spectrometric experiments.     

Silver as an exopolyhedral auxiliary to the rhenacarborane anion [Re(CO)3(eta5-7,8-C2B9H11)]-

The rhenacarborane salt Cs[Re(CO)3(eta5-7,8-C2B9H11)] (1) has been used to synthesize the tetranuclear metal complex [[ReAg(mu-10-H-eta5-7,8-C2B9H10)(CO)3]2[mu-Ph2P(CH2)2PPh2]] (3) where two [ReAg(mu-10-H-eta5-7,8-C2B9H10)(CO)3] fragments have been shown by X-ray crystallography to be bridged by a single 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane ligand. Reaction of 1 with Ag[BF4] in the presence of the ligands bis- or tris(pyrazol-1-yl)methane yields the complexes [ReAg(mu-10-H-eta5-7,8-C2B9H10)(CO)3[kappa2-CH2(C3H3N2-1)2]] (4) or [[ReAg(mu-10-H-eta5-7,8-C2B9H10)(CO)3]2[mu-kappa1,kappa2-CH(C3H3N2-1)3]] (5), respectively. From X-ray studies, the former comprises a Re-Ag bond bridged by the carborane cage and with the bis(pyrazol-1-yl)methane coordinating the silver(I) center in an asymmetric kappa(2) mode. Complex 5 was unexpectedly found to contain a tris(pyrazol-1-yl)methane bridging two [ReAg(mu-10-H-eta5-7,8-C2B9H10)(CO)3] fragments in a kappa1,kappa2 manner. Treatment of 1 with Ag[BF4] in the presence of 2,2'-dipyridyl and 2,2':6',2' '-terpyridyl yields [ReAg(mu-10-H-eta5-7,8-C2B9H10)(CO)3[kappa2-(C5H4N-2)(2)]] (6) and [ReAg(mu-10-H-eta5-7,8-C2B9H10)(CO)3[kappa3-C5H3N(C5H4N-2)2-2,6]] (7). The X-ray structure determination of 7 revealed an unusual pentacoordinated silver(I) center, asymmetrically ligated by a kappa3-2,2':6',2' '-terpyridyl molecule. The same synthetic procedure using N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine gave a tetranuclear metal complex [[ReAg(mu-10-H-eta5-7,8-C2B9H10)(CO)3]2[mu-Me2N(CH2)2NMe2]2] (8) which is believed, in the solid state, to be bridged between the silver atoms by two of the diamine molecules. The salt 1 with Ag[BF4] in the absence of any added ligand gave the tetrameric cluster [ReAg[mu-5,6,10-(H)3-eta5-7,8-C2B9H8](CO)3]4 (9) where, in the solid state, four [ReAg(mu-10-H-eta5-7,8-C2B9H10)(CO)3] units are held together by long interunit B-H right harpoon-up Ag bonds.     

Solvent-free synthesis of benzo[a]pyrene 7,8-diol 9,10-epoxide adducts at the N(2)-position of deoxyguanosine

[reaction: see text] The first solid-state (or solvent-free) synthesis of protected deoxyguanosine (dG) adducts of benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxides at room temperature is reported. Whereas dG adducts derived from cis- and trans-opening of (+/-)-7beta,8alpha-dihydroxy-9beta,10beta-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene (DE-1 1) are formed as a 1:1 mixture, the direct opening of the diastereomeric (+/-)-7beta,8alpha-dihydroxy-9alpha,10alpha-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene (DE-2, 2) produced a 15:85 ratio favoring the trans-opened dG adduct 7.     

Applications of capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence for analysis of dGMP–BPDE adduct

DNA adducts are thought to be crucial to the initiation of mutational and carcinogenic processes. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been identified as one major source of carcinogenic risk since they can bind to DNA thus forming an adduct. Quantification of this adduct is important because it may correlate to the risk for cancer development. In this study, the adduct formed between 2'-deoxyguanosine 5'-monophosphate and benzo[ a]pyrene-7,8-dihydrodiol-9,10-epoxide (BPDE) was analyzed by capillary electrophoresis. Both capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) and micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography (MECC) modes with laser-induced fluorescence detection were used for the separation and analysis of DNA adducts. The exploration of capillary electrophoresis in several modes provided different separation mechanisms in which the stereochemical forms of the adduct could be separated. The best result obtained was using a coated fused-silica capillary in Tris-TAPS buffer, which provided high sensitivity with a detection limit of 2.5x10(-9) mol L(-1). MECC separation of the BPDE adduct, although less sensitive, provided an efficient enantioselective separation option.     

Neutral loss and precursor ion scan tandem mass spectrometry for study of activated benzopyrene-DNA adducts

Methodology for detection of activated benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P)–nucleoside adducts by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry is reported. Adducts of B[a]P-dihydrodiol epoxide (B[a]PDE) with guanosine and adenosine have been detected for the first time by use of precursor ion scan and neutral loss scan. B[a]P was then activated by use of UV irradiation and some of the products obtained have been identified by taking advantage of the information obtained for B[a]PDE. Photoactivation has also been carried out in the presence of hydrogen peroxide; this resulted in a higher yield of products with increased production of BaP diones. The reactivity of these compounds toward nucleosides has been tested. The proposed method was successfully used for detection of one stable guanosine–B[a]P dione adduct.