Inhibition of Rac and Rac-linked functions by 8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine in murine macrophages.

Rac is a protein involved in the various functions of macrophages (Mφ), including the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), phagocytosis, chemotaxis and the secretion of cytokines (such as γ-INF). This study tested the effects of nucleosides containing 8-oxoguanine(8-hydroxyguanine) such as 8-oxo-2′-guanosine (8-oxoG) or 8-oxo-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG), on Rac and the above-listed Rac-associated functions of Mφ using mouse peritoneal Mφ (MpMφ). It is reported that 8-oxodG was able to effectively inhibit Rac and the Rac-associated functions of MpMφ. Compared to 8-oxodG, 8-oxoG showed negligible effects. Furthermore, normal nucleosides such as deoxyguanosine (dG), guanosine (G) and adenosine (A) did not exert any effects. These results suggest that 8-oxodG could be used as a potential tool to modulate the functions of Mφ that are intimately related to various pathological processes.