Covalent binding of polycyclic aromatic compounds to mitochondrial and nuclear DNA

Abstract
Mouse embryo cells were exposed to one of the following carcinogens: 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene, s-methylcholanthrene, benzo[a]pyrene, 15,16-dihydro-11-methylcyclopenta[a]phenanthren-17-one, 15,16-dihydro-12-methylcyclopenta[a]phenanthren-17-one or benz[a]anthracene. Each of these polycyclic aromatic compounds bound with mitochondrial DNA 50-500 times more than with nuclear DNA.