[The effect of various structural features in molecules of derivatives of pyrene and its heterocyclic analogs on its mutagenic activity]

The mutagenic potency of five acetyl and acetylamine derivatives of nitropyrene and 15 heterocyclic analogues of pyrene was studied in the strain Salmonella typhimurium TA1538. A significant impact of the electron-withdrawing acetyl group in the para-position on the mutagenic activity of derivatives of nitropyrene was shown. The para position of nitro and amino groups as well as of the amino and carboxyl group was also responsible for the mutagenic activity. A proposal for the existence of several cellular mechanisms of activation of molecules of heterocyclic analogues of pyrene is presented.