HUMAN-BREAST CELL-MEDIATED MUTAGENESIS OF MAMMALIAN-CELLS BY POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC-HYDROCARBONS

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 42  (11) , 4619-4624
Abstract
Human breast cells were used to activate chemical procarcinogens to mutagenic compounds. The degree of activation is quantitated by the estimation of induction of 6-thioguanine-resistant specific locus mutants in a cocultured Chinese hamster V-79 cell population which does not activate carcinogens. Both mammary stromal and parenchymal cells could activate the procarcinogen 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene. The 2 mammary cell populations converted both 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene and benzo(a)pyrene to water-soluble metabolites. The stromal cells produced substantial amounts of glucuronic acid conjugates, but the parenchymal cells did not. Both cell types metabolize benzo(a)pyrene to the organic-soluble metabolities 9,10- and 7,8-dihydrodiol and both 9- and 3-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene. The human breast may be a target for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon carcinogenesis.