Environmental Mutagenesis 1983-01-01

5-Nitroacenaphthene: a newly recognized role for the nitro function in mutagenicity.

E C McCoy, G De Marco, E J Rosenkranz, M Anders, H S Rosenkranz, R Mermelstein

Index: Environ. Mutagen. 5(1) , 17-22, (1983)

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Abstract

The direct-acting mutagenicity of 5-nitroacenaphthene for Salmonella typhimurium is dependent upon the reduction of the nitro function as evidenced by the significant decrease in mutagenicity seen with nitroreductase-deficient Salmonella strains. Addition of microsomal preparations results in a significant increase in mutagenicity and a by-passing of the block in nitroreductase-deficient and arylhydroxylamine esterifying-deficient enzyme strains. The results are taken to indicate that the microsome-induced mutagenicity is due primarily to oxidation of the acenaphthene moiety. The results are consistent with recent studies which indicate that the nitro function exercises a directing effect on ring oxidation.