ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on one class of carcinogenic chemicals, the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and the methods used for analysis of their metabolism in human cells in culture. It examines the common method for detection and identification of the reactive "ultimate" carcinogenic hydrocarbon metabolites, analysis of their covalent interaction products with DNA. The chapter aims to use selected examples of studies of PAH metabolism and DNA binding in human cells, mainly from the laboratory, and to illustrate the techniques available for such studies and their application to understanding mechanisms by which carcinogens transform human epithelial cells. The basic principle of this technique involves the preparation of antibodies specific for PAH-DNA adducts. The P-postlabeling analysis technique developed by Randerath and co-workers has been used extensively in the analysis of carcinogen-DNA adducts. This ultrasensitive technique has been applied in the analysis of PAH-DNA adducts from both BaP-treated human epithelial cells in culture and cells from human donors.
