Metabolic polymorphisms and biomarkers of exposition to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH)
Szczeklik, J.
Przeglad Lekarski 62(12): 1542-1545
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 0033-2240 PMID: 16786792 Document Number: 590969
Polyunsaturated aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are formed during the incomplete combustion of organic material, as an ingredient in cigarette smoke, in exhaust fumes, and forest fires. They are not electrophilic per se, but are converted to electrophiles by cellular enzyme systems. Enzymes with these function fall into classes "phase 1" and are members of cytochrome P450 superfamily of monooxygenases. Reactive hydrophilic intermediates of PAH bind convalently to DNA and form highly mutagenic DNA adducts. "Phase 2" conjugating enzymes such as glutathion-S-transferases (GS) act as inactivating enzymes. Polymorhisms of genes involved in metabolism of PAH and their influence on DNA adducts formation and cytogenetic biomarkers as a cancer suscetibility factors are presented.