The molecular biology of environmental aromatic hydrocarbons: Progress report for the period September 1, 1986 through July 31, 1987

Technical Report · Sat Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987

OSTI ID:6280075

Weiss, S B

Our laboratory has explored the use of short DNA oligomers as targets for activated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, such as benzo(a)pyrene diol epoxide (BPDE), in order to detect alterations in DNA sequence arrangement. In this model system, oligomers alkylated with (+)-BPDE are ligated into M13 viral DNA and used to transfect Escherichia coli. These cells are plated on agar, incubated at 37/sup 0/C, progeny viral clones are selected, amplified, and the viral DNAs isolated are sequenced at the site of oligomer insertion. We have devised a procedure for the preparation of unique duplex DNA oligomers such that the site of oligomer alkylation is specific for a single deoxynucleotide species in the two DNA strands. The procedure for oligomer assembly also allows us to vary the position of the alkylated residue in each of the two strands. Using our model system, the results obtained over the past year can be summarized as follows. When nonalkylated oligomer constructs are ligated into M13 viral DNA and used to transfect E. coli, no modifications in DNA sequence arrangement are detected in progeny viral DNAs. On the other hand, with oligomer constructs containing BP-adducts two major types of modifications in DNA sequence arrangement were observed: (1) large deletions, and (2) nonhomologous (illegitimate) recombinants. Both of these DNA modifications result in the complete removal of the oligomer insert. Transfection of E. coli that are recA/sup -/ does not alter these DNA modifications, therefore, it appears that the deletions and recombinants induced by the alkylated inserts are not under control of the RecA gene. As the distance between the alkylated residues in the duplex strands is increased, the number of recombinant events detected is reduced. In addition to the above types of DNA modifications, restoration of the original nucleotide sequence in the alkylated construct was also observed in progeny viral DNAs. 7 refs., 6 figs., 2 tabs.

• Research Organization: Chicago Univ., IL (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: FG02-86ER60394
• OSTI ID: 6280075
• Report Number(s): DOE/ER/60394-T1; ON: DE87013698
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550200* -- Biochemistry
560300 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ADDUCTS
AROMATICS
BACTERIOPHAGES
BENZOPYRENE
BIOLOGICAL RECOVERY
BIOLOGICAL REPAIR
CONDENSED AROMATICS
DNA ADDUCTS
DNA REPAIR
GENE MUTATIONS
GENE RECOMBINATION PROTEINS
HYDROCARBONS
MICROORGANISMS
MUTATIONS
NUCLEIC ACIDS
NUCLEOPROTEINS
OLIGONUCLEOTIDES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PARASITES
PROTEINS
RECOVERY
REPAIR
VIRUSES