title: The induction of sister-chromatid exchanges in Chinese hamster ovary cells by K-region epoxides and some dihydrodiols derived from benz[a]anthracene, dibenz[a,c]anthracene and dibenz[a, h]anthracene.
abstract: Experiments were performed to investigate the effects of 3 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, benz[a]anthracene, dibenz[a,c]anthracene and dibenz[a,h]anthracene and K-region epoxides and some of their related dihydrodiols on the chromosomes of Chinese hamster ovary cells in vitro. Of the 3 hydrocarbons only benz[a]anthracene showed any activity in inducing sister-chromatid exchanges. The K-region epoxide and the 3,4-dihydrodiol have been found to be more active than the corresponding K-region or the other non-K-region dihydrodiols derived from benz[a]anthracene. Although dibenz[a,c]anthracene was almost inactive, the K-region 5,6-epoxide and all 3 possible dihydrodiols, the 1,2- 3,4- and 10,11-diols were active in inducing increased numbers of sister-chromatid exchanges in the chromosomes of these cells. The 3,4-dihydrodiol of dibenz[a,h]anthracene was also active in inducing sister-chromatid exchanges whereas the 1,2- and 5,6-dihydrodiols were only weakly active. This study provides some support for the suggestion that the activation of these 3 hydrocarbons proceeds by the metabolic conversion of non-K-region dihydrodiols into vicinal diol-epoxides.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001551:Benz(a)Anthracenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002460:Cell Line; D002875:Chromosomes / Q000187:drug effects*; D006224:Cricetinae; D003412:Cricetulus; D003434:Crossing Over, Genetic; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004852:Epoxy Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004988:Ethers, Cyclic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D010053:Ovary; D012854:Sister Chromatid Exchange
chemical_list: D001551:Benz(a)Anthracenes; D004852:Epoxy Compounds; D004988:Ethers, Cyclic