The Effects of Specific Environmental Pollutants on the Biosynthetic Functions of Mammalian Cells In Vitro: A Search for Structure/Activity Relationships.

Abstract

A rabbit reticulocyte cell-free translation system was used to evaluate the effects of specific environmental pollutants on mammalian protein (globin) synthesis. Dose-response relationships were determined over a range from three to eight logs of concentration (generally 10 to the minus 12th to 10 to the minus 6th power M) for the following benzene and toluene derivatives: 1) benzene and various chloro and nitro - substituted benzenes; 2) assorted chloro, mononitro-, and monoamine-substitued toluenes; 3) all the dinitrotoluenes; and 4) 2,4,6 trinitrotoluene. The results indicate that no significant inhibition of protein synthesis occurs at concentrations below 0.00001 M for the majority of the agents tested. Solubility problems hindered testing at higher concentrations. Four of the compounds tested showed inverse relationships with greater inhibition at lower concentrations. Only one agent, 2,3 dinitrotoluene, displayed typical concentration-dependent inhibition but that only at concentrations greater than 0.00001 M. Inhibitory effects were observed for: 4-amino-3,5 dinitrotoluene, and 2,3 dinitrotoluene. The translation bioassay method is relatively simple and quick and shows good promise as a general procedure for evaluating chemical agents for toxicity.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 1980
Accession Number
ADA149184

Entities

People

  • M. J. Fournier
  • P. P. Parsons

Organizations

  • University of Massachusetts Amherst

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Alcohols
  • Biochemistry
  • Biomedical Research
  • Cells
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemical Warfare Agents
  • Chemistry
  • Contracts
  • Dioxanes
  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Ethylene Glycol
  • Glycols
  • Massachusetts
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Plastic Explosives
  • Proteins
  • Translations

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Agricultural Chemistry/Soil Science
  • Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry
  • Organic Chemistry