The light-dependent cytotoxicity of benzo[ a]pyrene: effect on human erythrocytes, Escherichia coli cells, and Haemophilus influenzae transforming DNA

In vitro, the photodynamic compound bernzo[ a]pyrene (BAP) generates singlet oxygen efficiently when irradiated in organic solvents. It also photogenerates superoxide anion radical in water and can act as a photoreducing agent in the absence of oxygen. In vivo, the hemolysis of human erythrocytes, t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inMutation Research/Environmental Mutagenesis and Related Subjects Vol. 216; no. 5; pp. 231 - 242
Main Authors Kagan, J., Tuveson, R.W., Gong, H.-H.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Elsevier B.V 1989
Subjects
Benzo[ a]pyrene
Membrane damage
Phototoxicity
Protection by carotenoids
Singlet oxygen
Superoxide
Benzo[ a]pyrene
Phototoxicity
Superoxide
Singlet oxygen
Membrane damage
Protection by carotenoids
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Summary:In vitro, the photodynamic compound bernzo[ a]pyrene (BAP) generates singlet oxygen efficiently when irradiated in organic solvents. It also photogenerates superoxide anion radical in water and can act as a photoreducing agent in the absence of oxygen. In vivo, the hemolysis of human erythrocytes, the inactivation of Escherichia coli cells representing a series of strains differing in excision repair and catalase proficiency, and the inactivation of Haemophilus influenzae transforming DNA activity were used to characterize the phototoxicity of BAP in the presence of near-UV light (290–400 nm). The results are consistent with BAP behaving as a photosensitizer that generates both superoxide and singlet oxygen, and that damages chiefly membranes. DNA does not seem to be a major target in the phototoxic reactions investigated.
ISSN:0165-1161
DOI:10.1016/0165-1161(89)90048-4