Persistent structural change in replicating hepatic DNA isolated from diethylnitrosamine-treated rats

Structural analysis, by benzoylated O-(diethylaminoethyl) (DEAE)-cellulose chromatography, was made of DNA from the livers of rats receiving 100 mg/kg diethylnitrosamine and subsequently subjected to partial hepatectomy. Under these conditions, different DNA labelling procedures permit damage to be associated with pre-existing or newly synthesised DNA. Persistent single stranded regions could be detected in DNA isolated more than 3 days after carcinogen treatment only if the animals were subjected to hepatectomy. This damage was attributable to lesions impeding DNA replication. Induction of proliferative activity up to at least 14 days after nitrosamine treatment made manifest DNA damage, the extent of which was not decreased as the interval between carcinogen treatment and surgery was increased.