Molecular and Cell Biology

Polycyclic Hydrocarbons and Cancer, Volume 2: Molecular and Cell Biology explores the link between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and cancer from the viewpoint of molecular and cell biology. This volume consists of 26 chapters divided into eight sections based on the following themes: DNA and Chromatin Interactions; Microbial Mutagenesis; Mammalian Mutagenesis; DNA Repair; Transformation of Cells in Culture; Animal and Human Models; Genetics; and Comments and Observations. The discussion begins with an analysis of the interactions of PAHs with cellular macromolecules and with DNA of mammalian cells in culture. The following chapters focus on microbial and mammalian mutagenesis by PAHs; mechanisms of DNA excision repair in human cells; effect of DNA repair on the cytotoxicity and mutagenicity of PAH metabolites in human cells; and oncogenic transformation of cell cultures by PAHs and their derivatives. The final chapter makes the case for the establishment of a system for conducting quantitative assessments of biomedical risk presented by many types of environmental perturbants such as PAHs. This monograph will be of interest to investigators and educators concerned with scientific aspects of PAH research; government officials and elected representatives as well as industry leaders who must confront and solve the problems related to PAHs; and others in the field of molecular and cell biology.