Histones accelerate the cyclic 1,N2-propanoguanine adduct-formation of DNA by the primary metabolite of alcohol and carcinogenic crotonaldehyde

Chemical modification of 2'-deoxyguanosine and DNA by excessive acetaldehyde and crotonaldehyde were significantly accelerated by the presence of histones, which are nuclear proteins very rich in the basic amino acids such as L-arginine and L-lysine, resulting in the smooth and selective formation of the corresponding cyclic 1,N-2-propanoguanine adducts under physiological conditions. Thus, histories have a very close connection with the genotoxic and carcinogenic effects of these aldehydes. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.