Reduction of 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide to 4-hydroxyaminoquinoline 1-oxide in lysates of cytomegalovirus-infected cells.

The rates of virus inactivation by 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (NQO) and 4-hydroxyaminoquinoline 1-oxide (HAQO) were compared and samples of cytomegalovirus (CMV)-infected cell lysates to which NQO had been added were examined for the presence of HAQO. These experiments demonstrated that (i) CMV inactivation by HAQO was more rapid than with NQO, (ii) virus inactivation by either NQO or HAQO failed to demonstrate a photodynamic component, and (iii) NQO-treated stocks contained HAQO, indicating reduction of NQO to HAQO. The results support the concept that metabolism of NQO to HAQO enhances the genotoxic effect of NQO.