Dna binding and its relationship to carcinogenesis by different polycyclic hydrocarbons

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Abstract
Five different polycyclic hydrocarbons with different degrees of carcinogenicity in vivo were tested for their metabolism to water-soluble products and their binding to DNA, RNA and protein in normal embryonic hamster and BHK cells. The compounds studied were 7,12-dimethyl-benz(a)anthracene, benzo(a)pyrene, 20-methyl-cholanthrene, dibenz(a,h)anthracene and dibenz-(a,c)anthracene. All five compounds were metabolized to water-soluble products in both types of cells and treatment of cells with aminophylline enhanced this metabolism. After and not before this enhancement of metabolism by aminophylline, there was a relationship between the degree of carcinogenicity and binding to DNA. There was no such relationship with binding to RNA or protein. The results, indicating a relationship between the degree of carcinogenicity and binding to DNA under appropriate conditions of metabolism, support the suggestion that DNA is the target for carcinogenesis by such carcinogens.

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