title: A correlation between mutagenic and carcinogenic potencies in a diverse group of N-nitrosamines: determination of mutagenic activities of weakly mutagenic N-nitrosamines.
abstract: The mutagenic activities of a diverse group of N-nitrosamines were measured in Salmonella typhimurium TA 100 under conditions designed to maximize metabolism of N-nitrosamines and enhance their mutagenic effects. These conditions were also chosen since some of the carcinogens were previously reported to be non-mutagenic or of questionable mutagenic activity and some only became mutagenic after the bacteria were exposed to a "threshold does" of metabolites. The mutagenic potencies spanned a range of 10(5)-fold and correlated well with semiquantitative carcinogenic potencies taken from the literature. This correlation appears to be the strongest yet reported for any particular class of compounds. In addition, the mutagenic activities of a number of carcinogens, previously reported to be non-mutagenic, were determined. Among the structural features necessary for high mutagenic activity in this group of compounds was a potential, unsubstituted methylating or ethylating group. Substitution of alkyl, hydroxyl, methoxyl, and cyano moieties at the alpha or beta carbon of these groups reduced mutagenic activity.
mesh_terms: D002273:Carcinogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / Q000379:methods; D009152:Mutagenicity Tests; D009153:Mutagens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009154:Mutation; D009602:Nitrosamines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012486:Salmonella typhimurium / Q000187:drug effects; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
chemical_list: D002273:Carcinogens; D009153:Mutagens; D009602:Nitrosamines