Received January 9, 2001

Abstract:

The inducible form of cyclooxygenase, COX-2, has been shown to be overexpressed in various types of tumors, including colon and prostate cancer. Several studies indicate that COX-2 inhibition can be beneficial for the prevention of these types of cancer. Since COX-2 reactions involve production of reactive oxygen radicals that can potentially damage biological macromolecules, we explored the possibility that DNA and/or nucleosides can be oxidized during cyclooxygenase reactions. When DNA or nucleosides were incubated with COX-2 and arachidonic acid, a significant increase in the amount of 8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine was observed. This increase was enzyme-dependent and could be prevented by COX-2 inhibitors as well as by antioxidants. These data indicate that peroxyl radicals or other oxidized species formed during conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandin G₂ might be responsible for the observed oxidation. These results suggest also that overexpression of COX-2 in inflammatory diseases places an additional burden on antioxidative defenses of the cell, which might contribute to DNA oxidation and the induction of mutations.