Hartwig A, Krüger I, Beyersmann D
University of Bremen, Department of Biology and Chemistry, Germany.
Toxicol Lett. 1994 Jun;72(1-3):353-8. doi: 10.1016/0378-4274(94)90048-5.
Even though nickel compounds are strong carcinogens, the underlying mechanism is still unclear. In contrast to their weak mutagenic potential, they enhance the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of UV light, X-rays and cytostatic agents like cis-platinum, trans-platinum and mitomycin C. Studies in combination with UV light indicate an inhibition of DNA repair, presumably at the incision step of nucleotide excision repair. Possible reasons for repair inhibition are structural changes of the DNA or direct interactions with repair enzymes or proteins, possibly by competition with essential metal ions.
