Damage to and repair of DNA isolated from human neonatal and fetal skin cells were measured by alkaline sucrose gradient analysis. 3-Methylcholanthrene did not induce single-strand breaks in DNA of the cells in culture, whereas the 11,12-oxide of 3-methylcholanthrene was very effective in this regard. The cis-1,2-dihydroxy, trans-11,12-dihydroxy, and cis-11,12-dihydroxy derivatives of 3-methylcholanthrene exerted little effect. The breaks in DNA caused by 3-methylcholanthrene oxide occurred during a 60-min incubation period and were repaired during the following 60 min. Methylmethane sulfonate also induced breaks in the DNA within 60 min.

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Supported in part by grants from the American Cancer Society (BC 188) and the NIH (CA 12906-03).

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©1976 American Association for Cancer Research.
1976
Cancer Research, Inc.