Adaptive response induction by bacterial catalysis of nitrosation

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 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), Journal Name: Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis; (USA) Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 15:2; ISSN EMMUE; ISSN 0893-6692
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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