Photodynamic effect of the carcinogen, 3,4-benzpyrene, on Paramecium caudatum

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1963 · Cancer Res.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5092925

Epstein, S S; Burroughs, M; Small, M

Exposure of Paramecium caudatum to suspensions of 3,4-benzpyrene, followed by irradiation with otherwise nontoxic, long-wave ultraviolet, results in death, at times related, inter alia, to a carcinogen concentration of from 1 x 10/sup -5/ to 1 x 10/sup -10/ gm/ml. Prior to death the cells exhibit progressive decrease in motility and blebbing of their external membranes. This response, termed photodynamic, is reproducible and is a sensitized photo-oxidation, being oxygen-dependent and inhibited by certain antioxidants. The sensitivity of the response may be modified by a variety of other factors, notably tryptophan, certain fractions of plasma proteins, nonionic wetting agents, and inorganic salts. No evidence was found for the involvement of -SH groups or for peroxide formation in the photodynamic process. 3,4-Benzpyrene, or its presumed water-soluble photodynamically active product, does not appear to be firmly bound in P. caudatum. 37 references.

• Research Organization: Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
• OSTI ID: 5092925
• Journal Information: Cancer Res.; (United States), Journal Name: Cancer Res.; (United States) Vol. 23:1; ISSN CNREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AIR POLLUTION
ALBUMINS
ANIMALS
ANTHRACENE
AROMATICS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS
BLOOD COAGULATION FACTORS
CARCINOGENS
CHEMISTRY
CILIATA
COAGULANTS
CONDENSED AROMATICS
DATA
DRUGS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FIBRINOGEN
GLOBULINS
HEMATOLOGIC AGENTS
HEMOSTATICS
HYDROCARBONS
INFORMATION
INVERTEBRATES
LIPIDS
LIPOPROTEINS
MICROORGANISMS
NUMERICAL DATA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PARAMECIUM
PHENANTHRENE
PHOTOCHEMICAL OXIDANTS
PHOTOCHEMISTRY
PHOTOSENSITIVITY
POLLUTION
PROTEINS
PROTOZOA
RADIATIONS
SENSITIVITY
ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION