DNA SINGLE-STRAND BREAKS CAUSED BY 2,2',5,5'-TETRACHLOROBIPHENYL AND ITS METABOLITES

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 24  (2) , 313-327
Abstract
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) are widespread environmental pollutants which are carcinogenic. A possible mechanism for the apparent carcinogenicity of PCB is their metabolism to phenolic metabolites through an arene oxide intermediate, with the arene oxide that is formed being the ultimate mutagenic or carcinogenic species. The ability of a tetrachlorobiphenyl [TCB] and its phenolic and arene oxide metabolites to cause single strand breaks in DNA was examined. 2,2'',5,5''-TCB-3,4-epoxide was more potent in causing DNA single strand breaks than either 2,2'',5,5''-TCB or a mixture of 3-hydroxy and 4-hydroxy-2,2'',5,5''-TCB. Apparently PCB epoxide may be involved in PCB carcinogenesis.

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