For the first time estrogen DNA-adducts were identified in DNA human breast tumor tissue using nano-LC coupled to nano-Electrospray Tandem Mass Spectrometry. Normal breast tissue was analyzed analogously. The data obtained in the five breast tumor and five adjacent normal tissue samples were compared qualitatively, but no straightforward difference was observed. Prior to LC-MS analysis the DNA was enzymatically hydrolyzed to a nucleoside pool. The DNA-hydrolysates were directly injected onto a column switching system developed for on-line sample clean-up and subsequent analysis of the DNA-adducts. In four patients using Premarin, DNA-adducts of 4-hydroxy-equilenin (4OHEN) were detected. All except three samples contained DNA-adducts from 4-hydroxy-estradiol or 4-hydroxy-estrone. Also DNA isolated from eight alcohol fixed and paraffin embedded breast tumor tissue showed the presence of different estrogen DNA-adducts. Worthwhile mentioning is the presence of adducts responding to m/z 570 Ͼ m/z 454 transition. This is a well-known SRM-transition indicative for the presence of the 2'-deoxyguanosine (dGuo) adduct of Benzo H ormone treatment is widespread for women of all ages. In the United States, for instance, 30% of post-menopausal women use hormone eeplacement therapy (HRT) [1], e.g., Premarin. Studies in which the development of breast and endometrial cancer was associated with estrogen therapy [2][3][4][5][6] were supported by a more recent follow-up study in which it was demonstrated that post-menopausal women have an increased risk of breast cancer when using estrogens, especially in combination with progestin [7]. In animals, too, a relationship between the administration of estrogens and the development of cancer was shown [8].The carcinogenic properties of estrogens are explained by direct stimulation of cell proliferation via estrogen receptor mediated mechanisms [9,10] and by mechanisms based on metabolic activation [11][12][13][14], leading to DNA damage such as oxidative damage [15][16][17][18] and the formation of DNA-adducts [19 -28], which can cause mutations and induce cancer [29].The latter pathways are the result of metabolic activation of estrogens by the cytochrome P-450 system leading to 2-and 4-hydroxy derivatives. The 2-hydroxy estrogens are excreted in the urine as a result of their fast transformation to water-soluble compounds [13,14]. The 4-hydroxy form, however, has a longer half-life

The interaction of 4-hydroxy metabolites of estrogens with DNA leads to the formation of DNA adducts. These adducts are believed to play an important role in the incidence of breast and endometrial cancer. In order to be able to analyze these adducts in in vivo samples a method based upon the coupling of miniaturized liquid chromatography (LC) to electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (ES-MS/MS) was developed for the analysis of the adducts formed with 4-hydroxyequilenin. In vitro synthesized adducts obtained by the reaction of 4-hydroxyequilenin with the main 2'-deoxynucleosides were separated on a Hypersyl C(18) BDS nano-HPLC column (15 cm x 75 microm i.d.) at a flow-rate of 300 nl min(-1) using gradient elution with CH(3)OH--0.2% CH(3)COOH in H(2)O. The column was coupled, in combination with a column switching system, to a nano-electrospray interface. Analysis of the low- and high-resolution low-energy collision-activated dissociation product ion spectra of normal and deuterated adducts supported earlier data demonstrating equilenin to form different isomeric adducts, except with thymidine, for which no adducts were found. The nano-HPLC column-switching ES-MS system was tested for its sensitivity on a triple-quadrupole instrument, and detection limits down to 197 fg in the single reaction monitoring mode were obtained for semi-preparatively isolated equilenin--2'-deoxyguanosine adduct.

Xenobiotic and endobiotic molecules can react with DNA leading to formation of so-called DNA adducts. This modified DNA can be repaired enzymatically, but, if not, these modifications are believed to be responsible for the initiation of carcinogenic processes. Hence, we studied the interaction of 2 0 -deoxynucleosides and 2 0 -deoxynucleotides with 3,4-estronequinone (3,4-E 1 Q), a metabolite of estrone (E 1 ) and a supposed carcinogen. These estrone-nucleic acid adducts were analysed by capillary liquid chromatography (CapLC) coupled to electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Knowledge of their behaviour from in vitro studies is a prerequisite for detecting adducts in in vivo studies. Our initial attempts to synthesise nucleos(t)ide adducts of 3,4-E 1 Q in an aprotic solvent (dimethylformamide) yielded no adducts. However, under acidic aqueous conditions, adducts were obtained. With dGuo, a dGuo adduct was found in addition to a Gua adduct. Earlier publications on adduct formation in protic solvents failed to report formation of any adduct with dAdo. A N 3 -Ade adduct was reported upon reaction of 3,4-E 1 Q with Ade base and with DNA. With dAdo, we obtained two nucleoside adducts and six Ade adducts due to loss of 2 0 -deoxyribose.Thus, contrary to general belief that only 2,3-E 1 Q can form stable adducts, we showed formation of substantial amounts of intact DNA adducts with 3,4-E 1 Q in addition to deglycosylated adducts. Adducts were also obtained with dGMP and dAMP, but no phosphate alkylation was found. Adducts of dCyd, dCMP, dThd, and dTMP were not detected. Using chromatographic-MS data a structural relationship between the 2 0 -deoxynucleoside, 2 0 -deoxynucleotide and base adducts was found in the various reaction mixtures. The adducts of dGuo and dGMP reaction mixtures were alkylated at the same N 7 -position of the nucleobase, as indicated by the occurrence of a rapid deglycosylation reaction. In dAdo and dAMP reaction mixtures, 14 adducts were detected; their relationships from the LC and MS data reduced the number of structures to six adenine base alkylated adducts with respect to alkylation between N 1 , N 3 , N 7 and/or N 6 in the adenine and C 1 , C 2 and/ or C 6 in 3,4-E 1 Q. We could infer, in addition, whether they had an A ring attachment or a C 6 attachment on the estrone moiety. Copyright # 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.The longer that women are exposed to estrogens, either through early menarche and late menopause and/or through estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) or use of oral contraceptives, the higher is the risk of developing cancer in several tissues especially the breast and endometrium. 1,2 A formulation containing up to 46-53% estrone together with other exogenous estrogens is the estrogen replacement treatment of choice and continues to be one of the most widely dispensed prescriptions in the USA. In this context we studied the in vitro reactions between an endogenous estrogen, estrone, and 2 0 -deoxynucleosides/2 0 -deoxynucleotides.Estrogens are accumulated and exert m...

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