Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry reveal a remarkable degree of structural damage in the DNA of wild fish exposed to toxic chemicals.
The use of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with selected ion monitoring (GC-MS/SIM) and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy revealed a remarkable degree of damage in the hepatic DNA of fish exposed to toxic environmental chemicals, compared with controls. The exposed fish, which were neoplasm-free, were part of a population with a high incidence of liver cancer. GC-MS/SIM showed markedly high concentrations of hydroxyl radical-induced ring-opening products (e.g., 2,6-diamino-4-hydroxy-5-formamidopyrimidine) and 8-hydroxy adducts of adenine and guanine (e.g., 8-hydroxyguanine) in the DNA. FT-IR spectroscopy revealed substantial changes in spectral areas, such as those assigned to NH vibrations of nucleotide bases and CO vibrations of deoxyribose. This diverse and extensive damage to DNA provides a perspective of premalignant changes resulting from xenobiotic exposure and a promising basis for predicting cancer risk in animals and humans.
Malins
D C
DC
Molecular Epidemiology Program, Pacific Northwest Research Foundation, Seattle, WA 98122.
Gunselman
S J
SJ
D000818:Animals; D004249:DNA Damage; D005399:Fishes / Q000235:genetics*; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000737:chemistry; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D014861:Washington; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity*
D011743:Pyrimidines; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C071023:2,6-diamino-4-hydroxy-5-formamidopyrimidine