DNA-protein cross-linking between thymine and tyrosine in chromatin of gamma-irradiated or H2O2-treated cultured human cells.

Formation of DNA-protein cross-links between thymine and tyrosine in chromatin of gamma-irradiated or H2O2-treated cultured human cells is reported. Chromatin was isolated from cells, and subsequently hydrolyzed and derivatized. Analysis of derivatized hydrolysates by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry with selected-ion monitoring showed that 3-[(1,3-dihydro-2,4-dioxopyrimidin-5-yl)-methyl]-L-tyrosine (Thy-Tyr cross-link) was formed. The presence of this DNA-protein cross-link in control cells was also observed at a level of approximately 7 molecules per 10(6) DNA nucleotides. Exposure of cells to ionizing radiation at doses between 8.7 and 82 Gy (J.kg-1) increased the amount of the Thy-Tyr cross-link linearly up to approximately fourfold over the background level. At doses higher than 82 Gy, the yield approached a plateau. Treatment of cells with H2O2 (0.5 to 10 mM) also increased the amount of the Thy-Tyr cross-link in a concentration-dependent manner. Addition of dimethyl sulfoxide and o-phenanthroline in the culture medium afforded partial inhibition of cross-link formation. Addition of catalase inhibitor KCN prior to H2O2 treatment increased the yield of cross-linking over the level observed with H2O2 treatment alone. Pretreatment of cells with ascorbic acid for 24 h without H2O2 caused formation of the Thy-Tyr cross-link. This DNA-protein cross-link in chromatin of cells is proposed to be formed by mechanisms involving a radical addition reaction and/or a radical-radical combination involving thymine and tyrosine radicals. Hydroxyl radical mediated by chromatin-bound metal ions is proposed to cause the formation of the Thy-Tyr cross-link in H2O2-treated cells.