On the species-specific biotransformation of dibenzo[a,l]pyrene.

We were aimed at investigating the activation of the carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) dibenzo[a,l]pyrene (DB[a,l]P) in Chinese hamster V79 cells that express single human, rat or fish cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes. DB[a,l]P is detectable in environmental samples and has been characterized as the most potent carcinogenic species among all PAHs as yet tested in rodent bioassays. Metabolite profiles and metabolite-dependent cytotoxic and clastogenic activities were monitored.

CYP1B1 determines susceptibility to low doses of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced ovarian cancers in mice: correlation of CYP1B1-mediated DNA adducts with carcinogenicity.

We showed previously that CYP1B1-null mice developed 10 times less lymphomas than wild-type mice after receiving 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA). In this study a 10-fold lower dose was applied to differentiate between toxicity induced lymphomas (200 micro g/mouse/day) and tumor initiation (20 micro g/day). DMBA adducts to DNA of organs of mice, or to DNA of V79 cells expressing single mice or human cytochrome P450 isoenzymes were also measured.

Metabolic activation of dibenzo[a,l]pyrene by human cytochrome P450 1A1 and P450 1B1 expressed in V79 Chinese hamster cells.

Metabolic activation of the strongly carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) dibenzo[a,l]pyrene (DB[a,l]P) and its trans-8,9-dihydrodiol (trans-8,9-diol) catalyzed by human cytochromes P450 (P450) 1A1 and 1B1 was investigated. DNA binding of DB[a,l]P in mammalian cell lines has previously been shown to be preferentially mediated by fjord region DB[a,l]P-11,12-dihydrodiol 13,14-epoxides (DB[a,l]PDE). In order to elucidate different capabilities of both P450 enzymes for metabolic activation of DB[a, l]P V79 Chinese hamster cells, stably expressing human P450s 1A1 or 1B1 have been exposed to the parent PAH or its racemic trans-8, 9-diol.

Stable expression of human cytochrome P450 1B1 in V79 Chinese hamster cells and metabolically catalyzed DNA adduct formation of dibenzo[a,l]pyrene.

Chinese hamster V79 cell lines were constructed for stable expression of human cytochrome P450 1B1 (P450 1B1) in order to study its role in the metabolic activation of chemicals and toxicological consequences. The new V79 cell lines were applied to studies on DNA adduct formation of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) dibenzo[a,l]pyrene (DB[a,l]P). This compound has been found to be an environmental pollutant, and in rodent bioassays it is the most carcinogenic PAH yet discovered.