Adaptive response induction by bacterial catalysis of nitrosation

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1990 · Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/em.2850150202· OSTI ID:5840079

Tsimis, J; Yarosh, D B ^[1]

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1. Applied Genetics Inc., Freeport, NY (USA)

A wide variety of distantly related bacteria have the adaptive response suggesting that they are frequently exposed to alkylating mutagens. However, the identity and source of the DNA damaging agents have not as yet been demonstrated. S-adenosyl-methionine has been proposed because it can weakly methylate DNA, but it produces only nitrogen adducts and is unlikely to induce adaptation. The authors have found that adaptive bacteria themselves produce oxygen-alkylating species by catalyzing the formation of nitroso compounds which in turn leads to induction of the adaptive response. Many strains of bacteria, especially those with the adaptive response, are able to nitrosate amines at neutral pH, where chemical nitrosation is negligible. Nitrosamines are metabolized to potent alkylating intermediates and produce DNA oxygen adducts (such as methyl phosphotriesters) in proportion to the (S{sub N}1) nature of the reaction.

• OSTI ID: 5840079
• Journal Information: Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis; (USA), Vol. 15:2, Issue 2; ISSN 0893-6692
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ESCHERICHIA COLI
DNA REPAIR
NITRO COMPOUNDS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
ALKYLATING AGENTS
BIOLOGICAL ADAPTATION
CATALYSIS
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
METHYL TRANSFERASES
BACTERIA
BIOLOGICAL RECOVERY
BIOLOGICAL REPAIR
ENZYMES
MICROORGANISMS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
RECOVERY
REPAIR
TRANSFERASES
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology