Mutation, DNA strand cleavage and nitric oxide formation caused by N-nitrosoproline with UVA and UVB

N-Nitrosoproline(NPRO) is endogenously formed from proline and nitrite. NPRO has been reported to be nonmutagenic and noncarcinogenic. In this study, we have detected the direct mutagenicity of NPRO with UVA and UVB towards S. typhimurium. Formation of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2¡¯-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG), a mutagenic lesion, was observed in calf thymus DNA treated with NPRO plus simulated sunlight. Furthermore, the treatment with NPRO and sunlight induced single strand breaks in the superhelical replicative form of phage M13mp2 DNA. An analysis using scavengers suggested that both reactive oxygen species and NO radical mediate the strand breaks. The formation of nitric oxide was observed in NPRO solution irradiated with UVA. The co-mutagenic and co-toxic actions of NPRO and sunlight merit attention as possible mechanisms increasing the carcinogenic risk from UVA irradiation.