Effects of the nitro-group on the mutagenicity and toxicity of some benzamines

Journal Article · Wed Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1995 · Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis

OSTI ID:115118

Chung, K T; Murdock, C A; Zhou, Y ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Memphis, TN (United States); and others

The Ames Salmonella/microsomal assay was employed to test the mutagenicity of some benzamines and their nitro-derivatives using strains TA98 and TA100, and their nitro-reductase deficient mutants, TA98NR and TA100 NR, in the presence and absence of Aroclor 1254 induced rat S9 mix. Aniline was not mutagenic to any tester strains; whereas p-nitroaniline was directly mutagenic to TA98, but not to TA98NR. 2-Nitro-p-phenylenediamine and 4-nitro-o-phenylenediamine were strongly mutagenic to all strains with or without S9 mix, whereas p-phenylenediamine was weakly mutagenic to TA98 and TA98NR after metabolic activation. 3-Nitro-o-phenylendiamine was a weak mutagen to all strains; and o-phenylenediamine was mutagenic to TA98, TA98NR, and TA100 with activation. The addition of the nitro-group to benzamines thus converts them into direct mutagens; the position of the nitro-group is crucial for mutagenic activity. Cytoxicity of these compounds were also examined using Chinese hamster ovary cells. The oxidation potentials of these compounds were measured using PARC EGG 273 Potentiostat/Gavonostat equipped with a PC computer. Physical properties such as the energy difference between the Lowest Unoccupied Molecular Orbital and the Highest Occupied Molecular Orbital, ionization potential and dipole moment were calculated. The mutagenicity or toxicity of these compounds was not related to any of these physical properties. The effect of the nitro-group on the mutagenicity of benzamines is unclear.

• OSTI ID: 115118
• Report Number(s): CONF-9503160--
• Journal Information: Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis, Journal Name: Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis Journal Issue: Suppl.25 Vol. 25; ISSN 0893-6692; ISSN EMMUEG
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
AMINES
ANILINE
MUTAGEN SCREENING
MUTAGENS
POLYCYCLIC NITRO COMPOUNDS
TOXICITY