Biomaterial Database

Detection of O6-methylguanine in human DNA. 1988

R Saffhill, and A F Badawi, and C N Hall

Paterson Institute for Cancer Research, Christie Hospital and Holt Radium Institute, Manchester, UK.

Using very specific antibodies in sensitive radioimmunoassays for O6-methyldeoxyguanosine (O6-medGuo), we have been able to detect the presence of this modification in human DNA. Since O6-medGuo is not likely to be a normal component of DNA, its presence must be due to exposure to environmental alkylating agents. We have studied two groups of samples, one of which appears to have received exposure to an alkylating agent (so that most members of the group show a detectable level of O6-medGuo). Although some individuals in the other group showed detectable O6-medGuo (sometimes at levels exceeding those observed in the first group), the majority showed undetectable levels. This may indicate that they had much less exposure to environmental alkylating agents than the first group and that some individuals may have received additional exposures due to other factors such as life style or drugs that they may have been given.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D011863	Radioimmunoassay	Classic quantitative assay for detection of antigen-antibody reactions using a radioactively labeled substance (radioligand) either directly or indirectly to measure the binding of the unlabeled substance to a specific antibody or other receptor system. Non-immunogenic substances (e.g., haptens) can be measured if coupled to larger carrier proteins (e.g., bovine gamma-globulin or human serum albumin) capable of inducing antibody formation.	Radioimmunoassays
D004247	DNA	A deoxyribonucleotide polymer that is the primary genetic material of all cells. Eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms normally contain DNA in a double-stranded state, yet several important biological processes transiently involve single-stranded regions. DNA, which consists of a polysugar-phosphate backbone possessing projections of purines (adenine and guanine) and pyrimidines (thymine and cytosine), forms a double helix that is held together by hydrogen bonds between these purines and pyrimidines (adenine to thymine and guanine to cytosine).	DNA, Double-Stranded,Deoxyribonucleic Acid,ds-DNA,DNA, Double Stranded,Double-Stranded DNA,ds DNA
D004784	Environmental Monitoring	The monitoring of the level of toxins, chemical pollutants, microbial contaminants, or other harmful substances in the environment (soil, air, and water), workplace, or in the bodies of people and animals present in that environment.	Monitoring, Environmental,Environmental Surveillance,Surveillance, Environmental
D006147	Guanine
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000477	Alkylating Agents	Highly reactive chemicals that introduce alkyl radicals into biologically active molecules and thereby prevent their proper functioning. Many are used as antineoplastic agents, but most are very toxic, with carcinogenic, mutagenic, teratogenic, and immunosuppressant actions. They have also been used as components in poison gases.	Alkylating Agent,Alkylator,Alkylators,Agent, Alkylating,Agents, Alkylating