@misc{CarlssonHerzogFelskeetal., author = {Carlsson, Max J. and Herzog, Natalie and Felske, Christina and Ackermann, Gabriel and Regier, Alexander and Wittmann, Simon and Fern{\´a}ndez Cereijo, Ra{\´u}l and Sturla, Shana J. and K{\"u}pper, Jan-Heiner and Fahrer, J{\"o}rg}, title = {The DNA repair protein MGMT protects against the genotoxicity of N-nitrosodimethylamine, but Not N-nitrosodiethanolamine and N-nitrosomethylaniline, in human HepG2 liver cells with CYP2E1 expression}, series = {Chemical research in toxicology}, volume = {38}, journal = {Chemical research in toxicology}, number = {6}, publisher = {American Chemical Society (ACS)}, address = {New York, NY}, issn = {0893-228X}, doi = {10.1021/acs.chemrestox.5c00133}, pages = {1134 -- 1146}, abstract = {N-nitrosamines are genotoxic contaminants that occur in the diet, consumer products, and the environment. More recently, N-nitrosamines were also detected as drug impurities. After uptake, N-nitrosamines undergo metabolic activation by cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (CYPs), resulting in DNA damage and tumor formation. In this study, the genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of three N-nitrosamines with structurally distinct substituents, N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), N-nitrosodiethanolamine (NDELA) and N-nitrosomethylaniline (NMA), were analyzed in human HepG2 liver cell models proficient or deficient in CYP2E1 biotransformation. Furthermore, the impact of the DNA repair protein O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) was investigated. The novel genetically engineered HepG2-CYP2E1 cell line strongly expressed CYP2E1, which was not detectable in wildtype (WT) HepG2 cells. We then confirmed that the CYP2E1 substrate NDMA caused O6-methyldesoxyguanosine adducts and DNA strand breaks in a CYP2E1-dependent manner, leading to cytotoxicity. By the same approach, we demonstrated that NDELA induced DNA strand breaks in HepG2-CYP2E1 cells, whereas no effect was observed for NMA. However, NMA was revealed to cause DNA cross-links. Furthermore, both NDELA and NMA were cytotoxic in HepG2-CYP2E1 cells, but not in WT cells. Subsequently, the pharmacological MGMT inhibitor O6-benzylguanine was used to deplete MGMT in both HepG2 cell models. MGMT inhibition clearly increased DNA strand break levels due to NDMA exposure, whereas DNA strand break formation by NDELA and NMA were not affected by inhibiting MGMT. In line with these findings, the clastogenic effects of NDMA were potentiated in the absence of MGMT. In contrast to that, NDELA- and NMA-induced clastogenicity was not influenced by MGMT inhibition. Taken together, our study revealed that all three structurally diverse N-nitrosamines are cytotoxic and clastogenic in a CYP2E1-dependent manner, while only NDMA and NDELA caused DNA strand breaks. Furthermore, we demonstrated for the first time that DNA repair by MGMT does not confer protection against NDELA and NMA-triggered DNA strand break induction and clastogenicity.}, language = {en} } @misc{HaasWirachowskiKuepperetal., author = {Haas, M. and Wirachowski, K. and K{\"u}pper, Jan-Heiner and Schrenk, Dieter and Fahrer, J.}, title = {Structure-dependent genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of eleven pyrrolizidine alkaloids in human liver cells with CYP3A4 overexpression}, series = {Lebensmittelchemie : Volume 75: Vortr{\"a}ge und Poster des 49. Deutschen Lebensmittelchemikertags}, journal = {Lebensmittelchemie : Volume 75: Vortr{\"a}ge und Poster des 49. Deutschen Lebensmittelchemikertags}, issn = {0937-1478}, doi = {10.1002/lemi.202158135}, pages = {S134}, language = {en} } @misc{AckermannPeilQuarzetal., author = {Ackermann, G. and Peil, M. and Quarz, C. and Schmidt, A. and Halaczkiewicz, M. and Thomas, A. D. and Stegm{\"u}ller, S. and Richling, E. and Manolikakes, G. and Christmann, M. and K{\"u}pper, Jan-Heiner and Schrenk, D. and Fahrer, J.}, title = {Molecular dosimetry of estragole and 1′-hydroxyestragole-induced DNA adduct formation, clastogenicity and cytotoxicity in human liver cell models}, series = {Archives of toxicology}, volume = {99}, journal = {Archives of toxicology}, number = {9}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Berlin ; Heidelberg}, issn = {0340-5761}, doi = {10.1007/s00204-025-04084-2}, pages = {3769 -- 3785}, abstract = {The phenylpropene estragole (ES) is found in essential oils of herbs and spices, such as bitter fennel and basil. Humans are exposed to ES through the diet and phytomedicines. After its absorption, ES undergoes metabolic activation by CYP1A2 and SULT1A1 in the liver, which can give rise to DNA adducts and hepatocarcinogenesis. Until now, quantitative genotoxicity data for ES in human liver cells are scarce, correlating DNA adduct levels with critical effects such as clastogenicity. Here, we used human HepG2 and HepG2-CYP1A2 cells as well as primary human hepatocytes (PHH) to study the genotoxic, clastogenic and cytotoxic potential of ES and its crucial metabolite 1′-hydroxyestragole (1′OH-ES). In addition, primary rat hepatocytes (PRH) were used for selected endpoints. Treatment of HepG2-CYP1A2 cells with ES (0-2 mM) led to the concentration-dependent formation of E3′- N 2 -dG adducts. Apart from a moderate γH2AX induction, neither p53 accumulation nor cytotoxicity was observed. However, clastogenicity was demonstrated at ES concentrations ≥ 1 mM. Incubation of HepG2 cells with 1′OH-ES (0—35 µM) led to 10-50-fold higher E3′- N 2 -dG adduct levels compared to equimolar ES concentrations. Furthermore, 1′OH-ES caused γH2AX formation, p53 accumulation and cytotoxicity, which was confirmed in PHH. In agreement, 1′OH-ES induced clastogenicity at concentrations ≥ 25 µM. Molecular dosimetry revealed that a certain E3′- N 2 -dG adduct level is required to trigger clastogenicity and cytotoxicity. This was confirmed by Benchmark Concentration (BMC) modelling, showing that the BMC for clastogenicity is 12-17-fold higher than the respective BMC for DNA adduct formation. Our data indicate that a threshold level of DNA adducts is required, both in rat and human liver cells, to trigger markers of clastogenicity. These levels are unlikely to be reached in humans following chronic ES exposure through phytomedicines or the diet.}, language = {en} }