title: The genotoxicity of unsubstituted and nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
abstract: To determine the DNA damaging properties of unsubstituted and substituted polycyclic hydrocarbons, 61 aromatic and heterocyclic compounds were examined for the induction of the SOS system in E. coli PQ37. PAH such as benzo[ghi]fluoranthene, benzo[j]fluoranthene, benzo[c]phenanthrene, benzo[a]pyrene, chrysene, dibenzo[a,1]pyrene, fluoranthene and triphenylene showed relatively high genotoxicity. With respect to the nitroarenes, the highest genotoxic potencies were exhibited by the dinitropyrenes. The SOS-inducing potency of nitroarenes increased from the bicyclic to the tetracyclic ring system. Additionally, it was seen that any increase in the extent of nitration is paralleled by an increase of genotoxicity. Whereas PAH required metabolic activation by hepatic cytochrome P-450 enzymes, nPAH were direct-acting genotoxicants.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Faculty of Clinical Medicine Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mersch-Sundermann
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mochayedi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kevekordes
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kern
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wintermann
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001140:Aroclors / Q000494:pharmacology; D001711:Biotransformation; D020111:Chlorodiphenyl (54% Chlorine); D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / Q000378:metabolism; D004249:DNA Damage; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D008862:Microsomes, Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D009152:Mutagenicity Tests; D009574:Nitro Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*; D011083:Polycyclic Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D013014:SOS Response, Genetics / Q000187:drug effects*; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
chemical_list: D001140:Aroclors; D009574:Nitro Compounds; D011083:Polycyclic Compounds; D020111:Chlorodiphenyl (54% Chlorine); D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System