Prostaglandin hydroperoxidase-mediated 2-amino-4-(5-nitro-2-furyl) [14C]thiazole metabolism and nucleic acid binding.

Prostaglandin hydroperoxide-mediated metabolism and binding of 2-amino-4-(5-nitro-2-furyl) [14C]thiazole ([14C]ANFT) metabolite to nucleic acids and proteins were investigated with rabbit bladder transitional epithelial and solubilized ram seminal vesicle microsomes. Metabolism was assessed by spectrophotometric and radiochemical techniques. Substrate and inhibitor studies are consistent with both metabolism and binding of [14C]ANFT occurring by the prostaglandin hydroperoxidase activity of prostaglandin endoperoxide synthetase. The ratio of the rates of [14C]ANFT product formation is approximately 3:7:10 (organic soluble:non-trichloroacetic acid precipitable: trichloroacetic acid precipitable) over a wide range of arachidonic acid concentrations. Approximately 2 and 1% of the total [14C]ANFT metabolized binds to transfer RNA and DNA, respectively. The metabolite isolated from the organic phase had a chromatographic profile and ultraviolet spectra different from authentic ANFT. If transfer RNA or DNA is added at the end of a 5-min incubation, no binding to nucleic acids was observed. The demonstration of prostaglandin hydroperoxidase-mediated covalent binding to nucleic acids is consistent with the involvement of this enzyme in 5-nitrofuran-induced bladder carcinogenesis.