Project 1: Genotoxic & Cell Signaling Pathways of As in Mammalian Cells

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Arsenic is an important environmental carcinogen that affects millions of people worldwide through contaminated water supplies. Although arsenic induces various human cancers including skin, lung, bladder, kidney and liver, the carcinogenic mechanism remains unknown. With the funding support of this grant, the applicant has shown, for the first time, that arsenic is a potent gene and chromosomal mutagen in mammalian cells and induces mostly multilocus deletions. These findings provide the first direct link between chromosomal abnormalities that have frequently been demonstrated in vitro and carcinogenicity in vivo. Furthermore, our recent data have shown that mitochondria are a primary target in mediating arsenicinduced genotoxicity. The overall goal of this application is to elucidate the contribution of mitochondrial DNA mutations and cell signaling pathways in mediating the genotoxicity and apoptosis of arsenic in mammalian cells. To achieve this goal, a series of eight inter-related specific aims are proposed to address the four testable hypotheses. The human-hamster hybrid (A-L) cell assay will be used to ascertain the role of mitochondrial DNA mutations and mitochondrial functions in modulating arsenic (sodium arsenite and methylated arsenic species) induced mutations at the CD59 locus. Since mitochondrial damage is often associated with induction of cell death, human melanocytes and melanoma cells will be used to define the cell signaling pathways involved in mediating arsenic-induced apoptosis. There is a profound necessity to develop effective treatment strategy for this often fatal cancer. Furthermore, there is considerable interaction, both conceptually and in shared materials, between this project and that of Projects 2, 3 and 4. A better understanding of the genotoxic and apoptotic mechanisms of arsenic will provide better interventional approach both in the treatment and prevention of arsenic-induced human diseases.