Synergism between aflatoxins in covalent binding to DNA and in mutagenesis in the photoactivation system

Aflatoxins (AFs) produce singlet oxygen upon their exposure to UV (365-nm) light. Singlet oxygen in turn activates them to mutagens and DNA-binding species. DNA binding and mutagenesis by AFs were enhanced in D2O as compared to reactions in H2O, and a singlet oxygen scavenger inhibited mutagenesis. DNA photobinding of 3H-AFB1 increased in the presence of unlabeled AFB2, and the addition of AFB2 enhanced mutagenesis by AFB1 in a synergistic manner. These results are compatible with the notion that singlet oxygen, formed by one aflatoxin molecule, can readily activate another aflatoxin molecule. This may bear an environmental implication in that the weakly carcinogenic AFB2, which is often produced in nature together with AFB1, may be important in enhancing the activation of AFB1 by sunlight.