Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Letter
  • Published:

Benzpyrene induces sister chromatid exchanges in cultured human lymphocytes

Nature volume 262, pages 290–292 (1976)Cite this article

Abstract

A WIDE variety of chemical mutagen/carcinogens induce sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) in cultured Chinese hamster cells and can thus be studied at the chromosomal level1,2. Certain polycyclic hydrocarbons, such as benzo(a)-pyrene, 3-methylcholanthrene, dimethylbenzanthracene and others are important in the aetiology of human bronchial carcinoma3. The substances are not themselves carcinogenic, but are converted to carcinogenic epoxides by the enzyme arylhydrocarbonhydroxylase.4 Epoxides bind non-enzy-matically to DNA, unless they are converted enzymatically to inert water-soluble metabolites by epoxide hydratase5 and glutathione-S-transferase6. The carcinogenic effect of poly-cyclic hydrocarbons is closely connected with the regulation of the enzyme activities and genetic variability can thus be expected. It has been observed at the population level by family studies7 and at the cellular level by biochemical differences in the hydrocarbon-degrading enzyme system8. We have investigated the possible induction of sister chromatid exchanges by benzo(a)pyrene and show that the rate of SCE does not correlate with different rates of benzpyrene metabolism. We therefore suggest that genetic differences in benzpyrene metabolism are unrelated to genetic variation in the predisposition to bronchial carcinomas.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

  • Purchase on Springer Link
  • Instant access to full article PDF
Buy now

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Perry, P., and Evans, H. J., Nature, 258, 121 (1975).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Latt, S. A., Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 70, 3395–3399 (1973).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Gray, N., and Hill, D., Lancet, i, 1252–1253 (1975).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Grover, P. L., Sims, P., Mitschley, B. C. V., and Roe, F. J. C., Br. J. Cancer, 31, 182 (1975).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Oesch, F., and Glatt, H. R., Experientia, 31, 720 (1975).

    Google Scholar 

  6. Nemoto, N., Gelboin, H. V., Habig, H. W., Ketley, J. N., and Jakoby, W. B., Nature, 255, 512 (1975).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Tokuhata, G., and Lilienfeld, A. M., J. natn. Cancer Inst., 30, 289–312 (1963).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Kellermann, G., Lutyen-Kellermann, M., and Shaw, C. R., Am. J. Hum. Genet., 25, 327–331 (1973).

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  9. Diamond, C., and Gelboin, H. V., Science, 166, 1023 (1969).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Benedict, W. F., Considine, N., and Nebert, D. W., Molec. Pharmac., 6, 266–277 (1973).

    Google Scholar 

  11. Nebert, D. W., Benedict, W. F., Gielen, J. E., Oesch, F., and Daly, J. W., Molec. Pharmac, 8, 374–379 (1972).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Kellermann, G., Shaw, C. R., and Luyten-Kellermann, M., New Engl. J. Med., 289, 934–937 (1973).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Böyum, A., Scand. J. clin. Lab. Invest., 21, Suppl., 97 (1968).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Hubermann, E., and Sachs, L., Int. J. Cancer, 11, 412–418 (1973).

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. I. Medizinische Klinik, Universität Hamburg, Martinistrasse 52, 2000, Hamburg, 20, FRG

    H. W. RÜDIGER, F. KOHL, W. MANGELS & P. VON WICHERT

  2. Institut für Humangenetik, Universität Hamburg, Martinistrasse 52, 2000, Hamburg, 20, FRG

    C. R. BARTRAM & W. WÖHLER

  3. Institut für Humangenetik, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Essen, FRG

    E. PASSARGE

Authors
  1. H. W. RÜDIGER
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. F. KOHL
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. W. MANGELS
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. P. VON WICHERT
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. C. R. BARTRAM
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. W. WÖHLER
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. E. PASSARGE
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

RÜDIGER, H., KOHL, F., MANGELS, W. et al. Benzpyrene induces sister chromatid exchanges in cultured human lymphocytes. Nature 262, 290–292 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1038/262290a0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/262290a0

This article is cited by

Comments

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Search

Advanced search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing