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The Genetic Toxicology of Substitutionally Inert Transition Metal Complexes G. WARREN, S. J. ROGERS, and Ε. H. ABBOTT Department of Chemistry, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717
In recent years it has become apparent that some metal ions have important genetic effects and that these effects may have serious biological consequences for humans. For example, epide miological studies have shown that chromium (1), arsenic (2, 3, 4), nickel (5, 6), and possibly cadmium (7) are carcinogenic in man. Platinum(II) compounds have also been shown to be carcinogenic in laboratory animals (8). Interestingly, these platinum(II) com pounds can, on the other hand, be potent anti-tumor drugs (9). This property has been linked to their reaction with DNA, but the exact mechanism is yet unclear (10). Recently, bacterial systems have been developed to provide rapid, efficient screening for genetically active compounds. A good correlation has been observed between mutagenicity of organic compounds in one such assay, the Ames Salmonella his reversion test, and carcinogenicity in mammals (11). Metal ions, including As(III), Be(II), Cr(VI), Cu(II), Fe(II-->
