The effect of 2-[(aminopropyl)amino] ethanethiol (WR1065) on radiation-induced DNA damage and repair and cell progression in V79 cells.

The radioprotector 2-[(aminopropyl)amino] ethanethiol (WR1065) was investigated with respect to its ability to affect radiation-induced DNA damage and repair in V79 cells. Studies were performed to evaluate the protector under conditions in which it is known to be effective in reducing the cytotoxic and mutagenic effects of gamma-irradiation. At a concentration of 4 mM, WR1065 protected against the formation of single strand breaks (SSB), as determined by the method of alkaline elution, when it was present during irradiation. The protector appeared, however, to inhibit the subsequent postirradiation repair or rejoining of SSB. While repair was complete within 24 h, the protector reduced the rate of repair by a factor of 3. This inhibitory effect on the rate of repair did not correlate with either measured differences in cell survival or mutagenesis. The radioprotector was also investigated with respect to its ability to affect cell cycle progression. WR1065 present in the growth medium inhibited the progression of cells through S-phase, and cell-doubling time following a 3 h exposure to the protector was increased from 11 to 18 h. These data are consistent with the well characterized property of thiols to inhibit DNA polymerase activity. It was concluded that, while the presence of WR1065 during irradiation reduced SSB-DNA damage, its effect on the subsequent rejoining of these breaks could not be correlated with its observed effect on protecting against radiation-induced mutagenesis. It may be that the inhibition of cell-cycle progression by the protector allowed more time to enhance the fidelity of repair as measured by the protector's ability to protect against radiation-induced mutagenesis.