Differential excision of carcinogenic hidrocarbon-DNA adducts in mouse embryo cell cultures

Abstract Primary mouse embryo cell cultures efficiently excise DNA damage introduced by the carcinogens 7-bromomethylbenz[ a ]anthracene and 3-methylcholanthrene but are inefficient in excision of damage introduced by 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene. Since exposure of the cells to the latter compound does not impair their capacity for excision of adducts introduced by the bromocompound, it is concluded the 7,12-dimethylbenz[ a ]anthracene-DNA adducts are intrinsically difficult to excise.