Formation and stability of interstrand cross-links induced by cis- and trans-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) in the DNA of Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains differing in repair capacity.

Four haploid yeast strains differing in proficiency for DNA repair were treated with cis- or transDDP. The wild type was least sensitive while the excision-deficient mutants rad1, rad2 and snm1 exhibited higher sensitivities to either platinum compound. In all four strains tested cisDDP showed a two- to five-fold higher cytotoxicity than equimolar concentrations of transDDP. DNA interstrand cross-linking was caused by both agents in all strains. However, transDDP introduced more DNA cross-links at exposure times up to 6 h while cisDDP was the more active cross-linking agent at longer times. There was no clear-cut correlation of the number of DNA interstrand cross-links with survival. Formaldehyde-treated cells showed DNA with lower buoyant density due to proteinase K sensitive DNA-protein cross-linking; this effect was not observed after treatment with either platinum compound. Post-treatment incubation of wild-type cells exposed to cisDDP led to degradation of DNA by single and double-strand breaks, parallel with further increase of DNA interstrand cross-linking. DNA from transDDP-treated cells did not show extensive degradation although interstrand cross-links were lost during liquid holding.