Rules of molecular geometry for predicting carcinogenic activity of unsubstituted polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons

The rules of molecular geometry for predicting carcinogenic activity of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) have been applied to a series of 50 unsubstituted PAH, and predicted carcinogenic activity is in good agreement with the results of testing for complete carcinogenic activity in mice and/or rats. The rules were developed from a knowledge of the center or centers of highest chemical or biochemical reactivity and are consistent with a unified hypothesis which states that the first step in the metabolic activation of unsubstituted PAH is the biochemical introduction of a methyl group. This bioalkylation reaction 1) takes place between certain PAH and S-adenosyl-L-methionine and is catalyzed by cytosolic methyltransferase, 2) offers a means of probing for centers of reactivity in PAH, 3) provides a biochemical link between unsubstituted preprocarcinogens of aromatic type ArX and alkyl-substituted procarcinogens of aromatic type ArCH2X (where X = H), and 4) makes it possible to include compounds of both aromatic types, in a consistent theory of aromatic hydrocarbon activation which incorporates alkyl substitution. The present study reveals that there are structural determinants of carcinogenicity.