Butadiene diepoxide activation of guanylate cyclase.

A variety of nitroso chemical carcinogens increase the activity of guanylate cyclase (EC 4.6.1.2), the enzyme catalyzing the production of guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate. In the present report, the first non-nitroso chemical carcinogen, butadiene diepoxide, was shown to activate guanylate in a variety of tissues over the concentration range 1-100 mmol/l. At 20 mmol/l concentration, increases were 2- to 17-fold above control. These observations have potential importance since guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate may be involved in cell growth and malignant transformation.