32P-postlabeling analysis of inhibition by norharman of formation of dibenzo[a,e]fluoranthene--DNA adducts in mouse embryo fibroblasts.

Quantitative and qualitative changes in the inhibition of DNA adduct formation in the presence of increasing concentrations of norharman (NH) were investigated in vivo in mouse fibroblasts treated with dibenzo[a,e]fluoranthene (DBF), a potent carcinogen in mice. The nuclease P1 modification of the 32P-postlabeling technique was used to identify adducts. A dose-dependent reduction in DBF-DNA adduct formation was observed: an 80% reduction with 0.06 mM NH and 90% with 0.12 mM NH. At 0.12 mM NH, all of the spots coming from hydroxylated DBF vicinal dihydrodiol (DHD) epoxides were missing; the only clear spot was that of the major DBF adduct produced by the ultimate DBF metabolite, DBF-3,4-DHD-1,2 oxide. Spots representing other DBF-DHD epoxide adducts appeared only in trace amounts. These results can be interpreted as a dose-dependent competition or inhibition of some secondary metabolic step, most probably secondary epoxidation; however, a direct protective effect of NH during adduct formation cannot be excluded. NH is a strong inhibitor of DBF-DNA adduct formation in vivo.