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Related Concept Videos

Spontaneous and Induced Mutations01:30

Spontaneous and Induced Mutations

Spontaneous mutations arise infrequently during DNA replication due to errors in the process. A key factor behind these errors is tautomeric shifts in nitrogenous bases, where bases transition from keto to enol forms or amino to imino forms. This shift can alter base-pairing rules, leading to mutations. Additionally, reactive oxygen species (ROS) arising from aerobic metabolism can damage DNA, resulting in depurination (loss of a purine base) or depyrimidination (loss of a pyrimidine base).
Mutations01:35

Mutations

Mutations are changes in the sequence of DNA. These changes can occur spontaneously or they can be induced by exposure to environmental factors. Mutations can be characterized in a number of different ways: whether and how they alter the amino acid sequence of the protein, whether they occur over a small or large area of DNA, and whether they occur in somatic cells or germline cells.
Chromosomal Alterations Are Large-Scale Mutations
While point mutations are changes in a single nucleotide in...
Mutations01:39

Mutations

Overview
Overview of DNA Repair02:25

Overview of DNA Repair

In order to be passed through generations, genomic DNA must be undamaged and error-free. However, every day, DNA in a cell undergoes several thousand to a million damaging events by natural causes and external factors. Ionizing radiation such as UV rays, free radicals produced during cellular respiration, and hydrolytic damage from metabolic reactions can alter the structure of DNA. Damages caused include single-base alteration, base dimerization, chain breaks, and cross-linkage.
Chemically...
Cancer Prevention02:59

Cancer Prevention

Several factors can increase the risk of cancer in an individual. About 50% of cancer cases can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, eating healthy, and following a modest cancer prevention diet. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that populations with vegetable and fruit-rich diets have reduced the incidence of cancer. On the other hand, populations who have a diet rich in animal fat, red meat, junk food, or high calories are predisposed to cancer.
Some...
DNA Damage can Stall the Cell Cycle02:36

DNA Damage can Stall the Cell Cycle

In response to DNA damage, cells can pause the cell cycle to assess and repair the breaks. However, the cell must check the DNA at certain critical stages during the cell cycle. If the cell cycle pauses before DNA replication, the cells will contain twice the amount of DNA. On the other hand, if cells arrest after DNA replication but before mitosis, they will contain four times the normal amount of DNA. With a host of specialized proteins at their disposal,cells must use the right protein at...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 13, 2026

Quantification of three DNA Lesions by Mass Spectrometry and Assessment of Their Levels in Tissues of Mice Exposed to Ambient Fine Particulate Matter
12:15

Quantification of three DNA Lesions by Mass Spectrometry and Assessment of Their Levels in Tissues of Mice Exposed to Ambient Fine Particulate Matter

Published on: May 29, 2019

Thirdhand smoke causes DNA damage in human cells.

Bo Hang1, Altaf H Sarker, Christopher Havel

  • 1Life Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA. Bo_Hang@lbl.gov

Mutagenesis
|March 7, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Thirdhand smoke (THS) exposure is genotoxic to human cells, causing DNA strand breaks and oxidative damage. This study confirms THS poses a significant health risk due to its harmful chemical transformations.

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Cigarette Smoke Exposure in Mice using a Whole-Body Inhalation System
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Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Toxicology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Thirdhand smoke (THS) is a pervasive indoor pollutant with largely untested genotoxic potential.
  • THS undergoes chemical transformations, forming harmful tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs) like NNA from nicotine and nitrous acid (HONO).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the genotoxicity of THS in human cell lines using in vitro assays.
  • To assess DNA damage and oxidative stress induced by acute and chronic THS exposure.

Main Methods:

  • Laboratory generation of THS simulating acute and chronic exposures.
  • Quantification of TSNAs and alkaloids using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.
  • Assessment of DNA strand breaks via alkaline Comet assay and oxidative damage via long amplicon-quantitative PCR.

Main Results:

  • Exposure to acute or chronic THS significantly increased DNA strand breaks in HepG2 cells.
  • N-nitroso-N-methylamino-4-phenylbutyraldehyde (NNA), a key TSNA in aged THS, induced significant DNA damage.
  • Chronic THS exposure elevated oxidative DNA damage in HPRT and POLB genes, indicating oxidative stress.

Conclusions:

  • Thirdhand smoke (THS) exposure is demonstrably genotoxic to human cells.
  • THS-induced DNA damage and oxidative stress contribute to its overall toxicity.
  • This study provides the first evidence of THS genotoxicity in human cell lines.