Title
Combined in vitro and in silico mechanistic approach to explore the potential of Alternaria mycotoxins alternariol and altertoxin II to hamper γH2AX formation in DNA damage signaling pathways
Author
Luca Dellafiora
Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma
... show all
Abstract
Risk assessment of food and environmental contaminants is faced by substantial data gaps and novel strategies are needed to support science-based regulatory actions. The Alternaria mycotoxins alternariol (AOH) and altertoxin II (ATXII) have garnered attention for their possible genotoxic effects. Nevertheless, data currently available are rather scattered, hindering a comprehensive hazard characterization. This study combined in vitro/in silico approaches to elucidate the potential of AOH and ATXII to induce double-strand breaks (DSBs) in HepG2 cells. Furthermore, it examines the impact of co-exposure to AOH and the DSB-inducing drug doxorubicin (Doxo) on γH2AX expression. AOH slightly increased γH2AX expression, whereas ATXII did not elicit this response. Interestingly, AOH suppressed Doxo-induced γH2AX expression, despite evidence of increased DNA damage in the comet assay. Building on these observations, AOH was postulated to inhibit γH2AX-forming kinases. Along this line, in silico analysis supported AOH potential interaction with the ATP-binding sites of these kinases and immunofluorescence experiments showed decreased intracellular phosphorylation events. Similarly, in silico results suggested that ATXII might also interact with these kinases. This study emphasizes the importance of understanding the implications of AOH-induced γH2AX expression inhibition on DNA repair processes and underscores the need for caution when interpreting γH2AX assay results.
Keywords
Alternaria mycotoxinsγH2AXDoxorubicinDNA damageKinase inhibition
Object type
Language
English [eng]
Persistent identifier
https://phaidra.univie.ac.at/o:2083460
Appeared in
Title
Toxicology Letters
Volume
394
ISSN
0378-4274
Issued
2024
From page
1
To page
10
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Date issued
2024
Access rights
Rights statement
© 2024 The Author(s)

Download

University of Vienna | Universitätsring 1 | 1010 Vienna | T +43-1-4277-0