Persistence of benzo[alpha]pyrenediolepoxide DNA adduct in mouse skin

The covalently bound products of [3H]benzo[alpha]pyrene (BP) were determined in the DNA isolated from the skin of mice 3 weeks after application of the carcinogen. In the relatively rapidly proliferating skin the persistence of BP-DNA adducts was observed, 50% of which were unmodified nucleosides. Small amounts of (7R) BPDE I-dG adduct (5% from the initial formation) were found after 3 weeks. The minor adducts observed at 18 h after treatment were excised.