title: Enhancement of DNA damage in mammalian cells upon bioreduction of the nitroimidazole-aziridines RSU-1069 and RSU-1131.
abstract: The induction of DNA double-(dsb) and single-(ssb) strand breaks by RSU-1069, RSU-1131 and misonidazole in V79 mammalian cells has been investigated using sedimentation in isokinetic sucrose gradients after incubation for various times (1-3 hr) at 310 K under both hypoxic and aerobic conditions. Double strand breaks are produced by RSU-1069 and RSU-1131 predominantly under hypoxic conditions. Comparison of the cellular DNA damage induced by these agents leads to the following facts: (1) the yield of ssb induced by these agents is substantially increased under hypoxia, (2) RSU-1069 and RSU-1131 are much more effective than misonidazole, on a concentration basis, at causing strand breakage both under hypoxic and aerobic conditions; and (3) RSU-1069 is more efficient on a concentration basis than RSU-1131 at inducing both ssb and dsb under both conditions. From these findings and molecular studies it is suggested that these 2-nitroimidazole aziridines act as monofunctional alkylating agents under aerobic conditions, a factor that governs their aerobic cytotoxicity. Under hypoxic conditions, it is suggested that the induction of dsb and crosslinks by these agents (bifunctional character) may play a major role in determining the ability of such agents to act as hypoxia-selective cytotoxins.
authors.affiliation: Division of Molecular Processes, MRC Radiobiology Unit, Chilton, Didcot, Oxon, U.K.
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Jenner
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Sapora
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: O'Neill
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Fielden
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000494:pharmacology; D004247:DNA / Q000187:drug effects*; D004249:DNA Damage; D008920:Misonidazole / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010100:Oxygen / Q000494:pharmacology; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents; C041712:1-(2-nitro-1-imidazolyl)-3-aziridino-2-propanol; C052514:RSU 1131; D008920:Misonidazole; D004247:DNA; D010100:Oxygen