Enhancement of Human Guanylate Cyclase Activity by Chemical Carcinogens

Abstract
The effect of 3 carcinogens, streptozotocin, methylnitrosourea and hydrazine, on guanylate cyclase activity in a variety of human tissues obtained from autopsy specimens 1-12 h after death was examined. Streptozotocin and methylnitrosourea produced 2- to 6-fold increases in guanylate cyclase activity in lung, liver, colon, kidney, stomach, duodenum, heart and pancreas. Hydrazine increased guanylate cyclase activity 21-fold in lung, 52-fold in pancreas, 35-fold in kidney, 24-fold in heart and 9-fold in liver. The data in this report may explain the tumor inducing capacity of these 3 carcinogens.