Localization of estrogen-induced DNA adducts and cytochrome P-450 activity at the site of renal carcinogenesis in the hamster kidney
Liehr, J.G.; Hall, E.R.; Avitts, T.A.; Randerath, E.; Randerath, K.
Cancer Research 47(8): 2156-2159
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0008-5472 PMID: 3103911 Document Number: 289160
Renal carcinoma in male Syrian hamsters, induced by chronic administration of estradiol for 5-7 months, is known to arise in the cortex at the cortico-medullary junction. In this in vivo model for hormonal carcinogenesis, estrogen-induced covalent DNA adducts have previously been observed in whole kidney and have been postulated to be involved in tumor induction. In the present study, the intrarenal distribution of estrogen-induced DNA modification and estrogen metabolizing enzymes were investigated in male Syrian hamsters to ascertain a role of metabolism and adduct formation in estrogen-induced carcinogenesis. The highest estrogen-induced DNA adduct concentrations as measured by 32P-postlabeling analysis were found in the renal cortex of hamsters treated with estradiol for 7 months. Total adduct levels in medullary DNA were approximately one-half of those found in cortex. Cytochrome P-450 enzymes were detected only in microsomes of kidney cortex (approximately 0.8 +/- 0.6 nmol P-450/mg protein) but not medulla of untreated male Syrian hamsters. Prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase activity in kidney cortical microsomes was 1/5 of the activity found in medullary microsomes. Thus, microsomal cytochrome P-450 levels and estrogen-induced DNA adduct formation were highest in hamster kidney cortex, the origin of renal tumorigenesis. It is postulated that estrogen metabolism by cytochrome P-450 enzymes leading to covalent DNA modification plays a role in hormonal carcinogenesis in the hamster kidney.