Mutagenicity of K-region epoxides of polycyclic aromatic compounds: structure-activity relationship.

The mutagenicity of several K-region arene oxides was tested in histidine-dependent mutants of Salmonella typhimurium. Benzo(a)pyrene-4,5-oxide and pyrene-4,5-oxide as well as some substituted phenanthrene oxides were mutagenic in strains TA 1538 and TA 98 which detect frame-shift mutagens. Structure-activity relationships are discussed from the standpoint of chemical reactivity. The absence of direct correlation between electrophilic reactivity and mutagenicity may suggest that primilarily physical properties, such as relative position of the epoxide group and molecular shape of arene oxides, are important for the emergence of mutagenicity of arene oxides.