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Interaction of chemical carcinogens with macromolecules

  • International Symposium on Environmental Carcinogenesis Dec. 9–11, 1979, Cancer Research Institute (Tata Memorial Centre) Bombay
  • Studies on Mechanism of Action
  • Published:
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Summary

The nature of certain critical cellular reactions is discussed in terms of both mutagenic and carcinogenic effects. Emphasis is placed on the ability of the ultimate carcinogen, normally formed in vivo by metabolism, to react with nucleic acids and, in particular, with nuclear DNA. The actions of N-nitroso compounds is examined in some detail and a possible correlation of the carcinogenic action of these compounds with their ability to react with oxygenatoms in nucleic acids is considered. The formation of a specific lesion, O 6-alkyguanine, in DNA and the capacity for its repair in different tissues is discussed with respect to tissue susceptibility to tumor induction. This discussion is extended to compare differences between species in the (tissue) specificity of action of particular N-nitroso compounds.

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Abbreviations

AAF:

2-acetylaminofluorene

BP:

benzo(α)pyrene

DEN:

N, N-diethylnitrosamine

DES:

diethyl sulphate

DMAB:

N,N-dimethyl-4-aminoazobenzene

DMBA:

7,12-dimethylbenz(α)-anthracene

DMH:

1,2-dimethylhydrazine

DMN:

N,N-dimethylnitrosamine

DMPT:

3,3-dimethyl-1-phenyltriazene

DMS:

dimethyl sulphate

EMS:

ethyl methanesulphonate

ENU:

N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea

MMPT:

3-methyl-1-phenyltriazene

MMS:

methyl methanesulphonate

MNNG:

N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine

MNU:

N-methyl-N-nitrosourea

MNUreth:

N-methyl-N-nitrosourethane

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  1. Paterson Laboratory, Christie Hospital and Holt Radium Institute, M20 9BX, Manchester, UK

    P. J. O'Connor

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O'Connor, P.J. Interaction of chemical carcinogens with macromolecules. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 99, 167–186 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00412452

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00412452

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