In vitro tracer study of a chemical carcinogen.

Abstract

A tracer study of a chemical carcinogen, benzo(a)pyrene, was conducted using mouse embryo cells in culture. In addition, this study challenged the credibility of autoradiography techniques to visualize the chemical carcinogen in the cell. Autoradiographic results showed that benzo(a)pyrene was accumulated in cytoplasm and the nucleus at maximum levels after 24 hours of incubation. Chromosome spreads from benzo(a)pyrene treated cells were prepared to investigate the possibility of benzo(a)pyrene-chromosome interaction. Autoradiographic results indicated that benzo(a)pyrene molecules reacted with chromosomes.