Modulation of rat guanylate cyclase activity in vitro by chemical carcinogens.

The nucleotide cyclic GMP has been reported to be involved in cell proliferation and malignant transformation. Nitroso chemical carcinogens activate the enzyme guanylate cyclase (EC 4.6.1.2) which catalyzes the production of cyclic GMP. The present investigation demonstrates that compounds from other major classes of carcinogens including (1) alpha-halo ethers (chloromethyl methyl ether); (2) aromatic amines (benzidine and B-naphthylamine); (3) polycyclic hydrocarbons (1,2-benzanthracene and acridine); (4) azo dyes (p-dimethylaminoazobenzene), and (5) aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, G2) produced a striking and significant inhibition of guanylate cyclase over a general concentration range of 0.5-13 mmol/1 in a variety of tissues. Some of the nitrosamides which increase guanylate cyclase activity, increase DNA synthesis whereas carcinogens which decrease guanylate cyclase activity inhibit DNA or RNA synthesis suggesting a relationship between cyclic GMP, DNA synthesis, and chemical carcinogenesis.