Age dependence of O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase activity and its depletion after carcinogen treatment in the teleost medaka (Oryzias latipes)

Abstract O 6 -Methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (O 6 -MT) is considered to play an important role in the repair of DNA lesions induced by alkylating carcinogens in a wide range of animals. The activity of O 6 -MT was compared in liver extracts from the teleost medaka ( Oryzias latipes ) at various ages (3–5 years old) reared under natural conditions. O 6 -MT activity decreased significantly with advancing age. When medaka were exposed continuously to the alkylating agent methylazomethanol (MAM) acetate at levels of 0.1, 0.15 and 0.3 ppm in water, O 6 -MT activity was markedly reduced from days 1 to 7, with a slight increase thereafter. Furthermore, when fish were exposed to MAM acetate at levels of 1–2 ppm for 1 h and then maintained in normal tap water, O 6 -MT activity remained suppressed for 2 weeks, followed by a partial recovery.