The reaction of pristane (2,6,10,14-tetramethylpentadecane) with radiolytically generated reactive oxygen intermediates results in a stable genotoxic compound as assessed by the SOS chromotest.

The most widely studied model of plasmacytomagenesis is the induction of plasmacytomas in BALB/c mice by i.p. injections of the isoalkane pristane (2,6,10,14-tetramethylpentadecane). Employing a simple quantitative and well-established short-term bacterial genotoxicity assay, the SOS chromotest, as a model system, we have investigated whether pristane may potentially be involved in causing or modulating the genotoxic events thought to induce plasma cell tumorigenesis. We found that incorporation of pristane into the cell membranes enhance the SOS response in Escherichia coli PQ37 and PQ300 induced by gamma-radiation under hyperoxic conditions. Moreover, the oxidation of pristane by radiolytically generated reactive oxygen intermediates yielded a stable, genotoxic product active on E. coli PQ300, a SOS tester strain designed to detect oxidative genotoxins. We discuss these findings in relation to the tumor-promoting role of the chronic i.p. inflammation that accompanies plasmacytomagenesis and conclude that, under these specific conditions, pristane may possess a previously unrecognized genotoxic activity in its tumorigenic potential.