‘Solubilization’ of Carcinogens with Nucleic Acid Solutions. The Interaction of p-Dimethylaminoazobenzene with Ribonucleic Acids

Abstract

PHENOMENA of ‘solubilization’ of carcinogens in nucleic acid solutions have been previously described^1,2. 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.