# MECHANISMS OF MUTAGENESIS BY CHEMICAL CARCINOGENS

> **NIH NIH R01** · BOSTON UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CAMPUS · 1991 · $142,574

## Abstract

That a single mutation can change a normal gene into its oncogenic
derivative demonstrates the potential importance of mutagenic
processes in the etiology of cancer.  Thus, understanding how a
carcinogen induces mutations may elucidate the basis of its
carcinogenicity.  The goal of this project is to determine how
chemical carcinogens cause mutations, using bacteria as a model
system.  The research focuses on the mechanisms of mutagenesis of
a few environmentally or medically significant genotoxic agents
that cause representative classes of DNA damage.  Genetic and
biochemical methods are used to determine what DNA lesions are
induced, how they may be repaired, which give rise to mutations,
what cellular functions participate in the mutagenic process, and
what mutations result.  The specific aims are:

1.  To investigate the mechanism of mutagenesis of aflatoxin Bl,
which makes bulky lesions to DNA.  The effects of defects in
bacterial functions affecting both the accurate and mutagenic
repair of aflatoxin-induced DNA lesions will be characterized.  The
mutagenic potential of defined DNA lesions generated in vitro by
a direct-acting aflatoxin analog will be determined.

2.  To identify the major mutagenic lesions induced by halogenated
hydrocarbons.  The miscoding lesions demonstrated to be induced by
1,2-dibromoethane will be identified biochemically.  Pathways for
the repair of these lesions and their induction by other
halogenated hydrocarbons will be examined

3.  To investigate the mutagenic and toxic potential of the DNA
lesions ' induced by the chemotherapeutic agent, cis-
diamminedichloroplatinum II.  The contribution of repair
intermediates to the toxicity and mutagenicity of this agent will
be determined.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3175790
- **Project number:** 5R01CA037880-07
- **Recipient organization:** BOSTON UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CAMPUS
- **SAM.gov UEI:** FBYMGMHW4X95
- **Principal Investigator:** PATRICIA LORRAINE FOSTER
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1991
- **Award amount:** $142,574
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1984-07-01 → 1993-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3175790

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3175790, MECHANISMS OF MUTAGENESIS BY CHEMICAL CARCINOGENS (5R01CA037880-07). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3175790. Licensed CC0.

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