Abstract
PHENOMENA of ‘solubilization’ of carcinogens in nucleic acid solutions have been previously described1,2. For example, Boyland and Green2 reported that native DNA solubilizes more benz(a)pyrene than heat-denaturated DNA does. A slight bathochromic effect of 10 nm and quenching of the fluorescence were taken, following Steele and Szent-Gyorgyi3, as evidence of a molecular interaction. However, Giovanella, McKinney and Heidelberger4 questioned the interpretation of these findings and claimed that they were entirely due to a phenomenon of stabilization of the colloidal suspension of benz(a)pyrene by the nucleic acids. They concluded that no non-enzymatic interaction between the carcinogenic hydrocarbons and DNA could be proved.
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MARMASSE, C. ‘Solubilization’ of Carcinogens with Nucleic Acid Solutions. The Interaction of p-Dimethylaminoazobenzene with Ribonucleic Acids. Nature 202, 1010 (1964). https://doi.org/10.1038/2021010a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/2021010a0
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