Computer-generated graphic models of the N2-substituted deoxyguanosine adducts of 2-acetylaminofluorene and benzo[a]pyrene and the O6-substituted deoxyguanosine adduct of 1-naphthylamine in the DNA double helix.

Computer models of three deoxyguanosine-carcinogen adducts in double-helical DNA are presented. The carcinogen moiety is rotated and the best fit within the double helix is evaluated. The 2-acetylaminofluorene (AAF) derivative, 3-(deoxyguanosin-N2-yl)-AAF, is found to be situated within the minor groove, has very little freedom of rotation and causes little helical distortion. The (+)-anti-benzo[a]-pyrene (BP)-diol epoxide-N2 adduct, 10beta-(deoxyguanosin-N2-yl)-7beta, 8alpha,9alpha-trihydroxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydro-BP, has a similar fit with a greater degree of steric interaction, suggesting that this adduct could cause some local destabilization. The 1-naphthylamine (NA) derivative, N1-(deoxyguanosine-O6-yl)-1-NA, resides within the major groove, does not perturb the helix and has considerable freedom of movement.