title: Persistence of alkylated DNA bases in the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) following a single dose of methylnitrosourea +.
abstract: Methylated purines were determined in DNA of various gerbil tissues following a single i.v. injection of N-[14C]methyl-N-nitrosourea (10 mg/kg). Enzymic removal of the promutagenic base O6-methylguanine was most efficient in the liver, followed by kidney, lung and brain. In cerebral DNA, 40% of the initial concentration was still present after 6 months. Since the gerbil brain is apparently not susceptible to the oncogenic effect of methylnitrosourea and related carcinogens, these data indicate that the formation and persistence of O6-alkylguanine may constitute a necessary although not sufficient event for the initiation of organ-specific carcinogenesis by monofunctional alkylating agents.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung Neuropathologie, Pathologisches Institut der Universität Freiburg, 78 Freiburg, GFR.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kleihues
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bamborschke
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Doerjer
mesh_terms: D000477:Alkylating Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005849:Gerbillinae; D006147:Guanine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism*; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects; D008770:Methylnitrosourea / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000477:Alkylating Agents; D006147:Guanine; D008770:Methylnitrosourea; D004247:DNA