The Failure of Repair Enzymes in the Catechol Estrogen-Induced DNA Damage as Potential Initiating Event

This report focuses on the ability of catechol estrogen-quinones to act as endogenous carcinogens, in that, they can cause DNA damage. Studies using Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry indicated that estrogen-2,3-quinone can form stable adducts in 18 base oligonucleotides containing a single reactive site. Similar studies were carried out to demonstrate apurinic site formation in the same type of 18 base oligonucleotides after estrogen-3,4-quinone treatment. Since failure to repair or mis-repair is necessary for DNA damage to form a mutation, studies using apurinic site containing oligos were used to examine in vitro repair of apurinic sites. In addition, in vivo repair assays using apurinic-site containing pEGFP plasmids are, currently, being carried out.