Separation of multiple forms of protein-bound metabolites of the carcinogenic hydrocarbons 3-methylcholanthrene and 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene from several rodent species

Our findings demonstrate that the carcinogenic hydrocarbons 7,12-dimethylbenza] anthracene (DMBA) and 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MCA) bind in multiple forms to the proteins of skin and lung tissue. These metabolites are freed from the proteins by treatment with Raney nickel, thus, the metabolites are most likely bound through cysteine or homocysteine. The numbers and the relative quantities of the bound metabolites vary greatly among the Fischer rat, the Syrian golden hamster, and 3 mouse strains. It is possible that the metabolites (which indicate a particular pathway of metabolic activation) correlate with species susceptibility to hydrocarbon carcinogenesis.