Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 3, 2025

Methods to Evaluate Cytotoxicity and Immunosuppression of Combustible Tobacco Product Preparations
09:25

Methods to Evaluate Cytotoxicity and Immunosuppression of Combustible Tobacco Product Preparations

Published on: January 10, 2015

11.7K

Tobacco Smoke Carcinogens Induce DNA Repair Machinery Function Loss: Protection by Carbon Nanotubes

Anukriti Dhasmana1, Anupam Dhasmana1,2, Hobani Yahya H3

  • 1Himalayan School of Biosciences, Swami Rama Himalayan University, Dehradun (Uttarakhand), India.

Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention : APJCP
|October 28, 2020
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNs) like NNK and NNAL can impair DNA repair enzymes, potentially leading to cancer. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) show promise as protective agents against TSN-induced DNA damage.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Nanotechnology

Background:

  • DNA damage is a continuous cellular process.
  • Faulty DNA repair can lead to mutations and cell transformation, initiating carcinogenesis.
  • Tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNs) are known carcinogens implicated in various cancers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the interaction between TSN carcinogens (NNK and NNAL) and DNA repair enzymes.
  • To explore the potential of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as protective agents against TSN-induced toxicity.

Main Methods:

  • Molecular docking studies were employed to analyze the reactivity of approximately 120 DNA repair enzymes with NNK and NNAL.
  • Binding affinities of CNTs (SWCNTs/MWCNTs) with NNK were calculated and compared to known enzyme-carcinogen interactions.

Main Results:

  • NNK and NNAL were identified as potential inhibitors of 7 and 12 DNA repair enzymes, respectively.
  • The study demonstrated that SWCNTs and MWCNTs exhibit significant binding affinities to NNK, suggesting a protective effect.
  • CNTs showed higher binding affinities compared to the known biomolecular target of NNK, Uracil-DNA glycosylase (1UGH).

Conclusions:

  • CNTs possess chemo-preventive potential against environmental and tobacco-induced carcinogens due to their scavenging capabilities.
  • The findings suggest that CNTs could be developed as therapeutic agents for TSN-induced cancers.
  • Further in vivo and in vitro experimental validation is warranted to confirm these results.
Keywords:
DNA damageMolecular dockingNNALNNKcancer

More Related Videos

Quantification of three DNA Lesions by Mass Spectrometry and Assessment of Their Levels in Tissues of Mice Exposed to Ambient Fine Particulate Matter12:15

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

9.0K
A Protocol for Detecting and Scavenging Gas-phase Free Radicals in Mainstream Cigarette Smoke09:23

A Protocol for Detecting and Scavenging Gas-phase Free Radicals in Mainstream Cigarette Smoke

Published on: January 2, 2012

19.7K

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).
1.2K
Nucleotide Excision Repair01:38

Nucleotide Excision Repair

DNA Distortion and Damage
Cells are regularly exposed to mutagens—factors in the environment that can damage DNA and generate mutations. UV radiation is one of the most common mutagens and is estimated to introduce a significant number of changes in DNA. These include bends or kinks in the structure, which can block DNA replication or transcription. If these errors are not fixed, the damage can cause mutations, which in turn can result in cancer or disease depending on which sequences are...
4.6K
Nucleotide Excision Repair01:08

Nucleotide Excision Repair

Overview
40.0K
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...
7.4K
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...
33.0K
Overview of DNA Repair02:25

Overview of DNA Repair

9.2K