To determine whether oxidative stress after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion affects genetic stability in the brain, we studied mutagenesis after forebrain ischemia-reperfusion in Big Blue transgenic mice (male C57BL/6 strain) containing a reporter lacI gene, which allows detection of mutation frequency. The frequency of mutation in this reporter lacI gene increased from 1.5 to 7.7 (per 100,000) in cortical DNA after 30 min of forebrain ischemia and 8 hr of reperfusion and remained elevated at 24 hr reperfusion. Eight DNA lesions that are characteristic of DNA damage mediated by free radicals were detected. Four mutagenic lesions (2,6-diamino-4-hydroxy-5-formamidopyrimidine, 8-hydroxyadenine, 5-hydroxycytosine, and 8-hydroxyguanine) examined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and one corresponding 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine by a method of HPLC with electrochemical detection increased in cortical DNA two- to fourfold (p < 0.05) during 10-20 min of reperfusion. The damage to gamma-actin and DNA polymerase-beta genes was detected within 20 min of reperfusion based on the presence of formamidopyrimidine DNA N-glycosylase-sensitive sites. These genes became resistant to the glycosylase within 4-6 hr of reperfusion, suggesting a reduction in DNA damage and presence of DNA repair in nuclear genes. These results suggest that nuclear genes could be targets of free radicals.

The kinetics of excision of damaged purine bases from oxidatively damaged DNA by Escherichia coli Fpg protein were investigated. DNA substrates, prepared by treatment with H2O2/Fe(III)-EDTA or by gamma-irradiation under N2O or air, were incubated with Fpg protein, followed by precipitation of DNA. Precipitated DNA and supernatant fractions were analyzed by gas chromatography/isotope-dilution mass spectrometry. Kinetic studies revealed efficient excision of 8-hydroxyguanine (8-OH-Gua), 2,6-diamino-4-hydroxy-5-formamidopyrimidine (FapyGua) and 4, 6-diamino-5-formamidopyrimidine (FapyAde). Thirteen other modified bases in the oxidized DNA substrates, including 5-hydroxycytosine and 5-hydroxyuracil, were not excised. Excision was measured as a function of enzyme concentration, substrate concentration, time and temperature. The rate of release of modified purine bases from the three damaged DNA substrates varied significantly even though each DNA substrate contained similar levels of oxidative damage. Specificity constants (kcat/KM) for the excision reaction indicated similar preferences of Fpg protein for excision of 8-OH-Gua, FapyGua and FapyAde from each DNA substrate. These findings suggest that, in addition to 8-OH-Gua, FapyGua and FapyAde may be primary substrates for this enzyme in cells.

Uracil DNA N-glycosylase is a repair enzyme that releases uracil from DNA. A major function of this enzyme is presumably to protect the genome from pre-mutagenic uracil resulting from deamination of cytosine in DNA. Here, we report that human uracil DNA N-glycosylase also recognizes three uracil derivatives that are generated as major products of cytosine in DNA by hydroxyl radical attack or other oxidative processes. DNA substrates were prepared by gamma-irradiation of DNA in aerated aqueous solution and incubated with human uracil DNA N-glycosylase, heat-inactivated enzyme or buffer. Ethanol-precipitated DNA and supernatant fractions were then separated. Supernatant fractions after derivatization, and pellets after hydrolysis and derivatization were analyzed by gas chromatography/isotope-dilution mass spectrometry. The results demonstrated that human uracil DNA N-glycosylase excised isodialuric acid, 5-hydroxyuracil and alloxan from DNA with apparent K(m) values of approximately 530, 450 and 660 nM, respectively. The excision of these uracil analogues is consistent with the recently described mechanism for recognition of uracil by human uracil DNA N-glycosylase [Mol,C.D., Arval,A.S., Slupphaug,G., Kavil,B., Alseth,I., Krokan,H.E. and Tainer,J.A. (1995) Cell, 80, 869-878]. Nine other pyrimidine- and purine-derived products that were identified in DNA samples were not substrates for the enzyme. The results indicate that human uracil DNA N-glycosylase may have a function in the repair of oxidative DNA damage.

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