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Quantification of three DNA Lesions by Mass Spectrometry and Assessment of Their Levels in Tissues of Mice Exposed to Ambient Fine Particulate Matter
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Molecular fingerprints of environmental carcinogens in human cancer

C Ceccaroli1, A Pulliero, M Geretto

  • 1a Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa , Italy.

Journal of Environmental Science and Health. Part C, Environmental Carcinogenesis & Ecotoxicology Reviews
|May 30, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Identifying molecular fingerprints like DNA adducts and epigenetic changes is key to understanding cancer causes from environmental exposures. Analyzing these biomarkers reveals carcinogen-induced damage and mechanisms.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health Sciences
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Identifying specific molecular changes, or fingerprints, is crucial for determining cancer etiology.
  • Biomarkers for cancer research include DNA, epigenetic modifications, and proteins.
  • DNA adducts represent a critical link between environmental exposures and subsequent biological damage.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the role of molecular fingerprints in identifying cancer causes.
  • To highlight exploitable biomarkers in DNA, epigenetics, and proteins.
  • To understand the mechanisms of carcinogenesis activated by environmental carcinogens.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of DNA adducts and mutational fingerprints induced by carcinogens.
  • Assessment of epigenetic changes, such as gene methylation, linked to specific environmental agents (arsenic, benzene, chromium, cigarette smoke).
  • Investigation of microRNA alterations and protein modifications (heat-shock proteins, metalloproteases) associated with environmental carcinogens (benzo(a)pyrene, cadmium, coal, wood dust).

Main Results:

  • Carcinogens induce specific DNA mutational fingerprints in critical genes.
  • Environmental exposures like arsenic, benzene, chromium, and cigarette smoke are associated with distinct gene methylation patterns.
  • Specific environmental carcinogens impact particular microRNAs, heat-shock proteins, and metalloproteases.

Conclusions:

  • Molecular fingerprints derived from DNA, epigenetics, and proteins serve as valuable indicators of environmental carcinogen exposure and action.
  • The comprehensive analysis of these diverse biomarkers provides insights into the molecular pathways underlying environmentally induced cancers.
  • Understanding these mechanisms is essential for developing targeted prevention and intervention strategies against environmental carcinogens.
Keywords:
environmental carcinogenshuman cancermolecular biomarkers

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