title: Mutagenic activity of certain synthetic steroids: structural requirement for the mutagenic activity in Salmonella and E. coli.
abstract: Eight steroids, structurally related to cholesterol, were tested for mutagenic activity in the Ames tester strains. All the test compounds were mutagenic without metabolic activation, although metabolic activation markedly enhanced their activity. A significant decrease in the survival of the radiation-sensitive mutants recA and lexA of Escherichia coli was observed as compared to their wild-type counterpart in the presence of the steroids. The role of recA and lexA genes gains further support from the lambda prophage induction in the lysogen as well as with Salmonella strains triggering the error-prone SOS response. Structural features which appear to be essential for mutagenic activity in these strains of the steroids are (1) reactive thio, sulfonyl or sulfinyl groups at the 6 position and (2) a halogen group at the 3 position of the steroidal nucleus. The mutagenicity appears to involve the formation of H2O2 as well as superoxide and hydroxyl radicals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University, India.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Islam
authors.lastname: Shafiullah
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ahmad
mesh_terms: D002374:Catalase / Q000494:pharmacology; D002776:Cholestanes / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D005561:Formates / Q000494:pharmacology; D008353:Mannitol / Q000494:pharmacology; D009152:Mutagenicity Tests; D012486:Salmonella typhimurium / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000494:pharmacology; D014775:Virus Activation / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D002776:Cholestanes; D005561:Formates; C030544:formic acid; D008353:Mannitol; D002374:Catalase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase