Epoxides of Carcinogenic Polycyclic Hydrocarbons Are Frameshift Mutagens
Bruce N. Ames 1,
P. Sims 2, and
P. L. Grover 2
1 Department of Biochemistry, University of California, Berkeley 94720
2 Chester Beatty Research Institute, Institute of Cancer Research, Royal Cancer Hospital, London SW3 6JB, England
K-region epoxides of the carcinogens benz[a] anthracene, dibenz[a,h]anthracene, and 7-methylbenz[a] anthracene are mutagenic in strains of Salmonella typhimurium designed to detect frameshift mutagens. Parent hydrocarbons, K-region diols and phenols and some other epoxides are inactive as mutagens in these tests. Polycyclic hydrocarbon epoxides, and other presumed proximal carcinogens, are discussed as examples of intercalating agents with reactive side chains. It has been shown previously that intercalating agents with reactive side chains are potent frameshift mutagens.
