Effect of some polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on protein synthesis in vitro

1. The effect of the strongly carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons benzo[a]pyrene, 3-methylcholanthrene and dibenz[a,h]anthracene and of the non-carcinogenic anthracene, pyrene and phenanthrene on protein synthesis was studied in vitro with subcellular systems from rat liver. 2. Both types of hydrocarbons affect amino acid activation and inhibit transfer of labelled amino acids from transfer RNA to ribosomes. 3. Only the carcinogenic compounds stimulate the incorporation of labelled algal-protein hydrolysate and of some individual amino acids into transfer RNA. The most active dose was 10mμg. under the conditions used. This effect is abolished by preincubation of pH5 enzymes with the carcinogens before the addition of radioactive amino acids. 4. The carcinogens stimulate the incorporation of some amino acids into ribosomal protein whereas the non-carcinogenic compounds have no such effects. 5. Polynucleotide-dependent stimulation of protein synthesis is greatly enhanced in the presence of the carcinogenic hydrocarbons when either free amino acids or transfer RNA charged with labelled amino acids are used. The non-carcinogenic compounds induce a partial inhibition of this process. 6. It is concluded, in agreement with other authors, that carcinogens may increase the number of active incorporation sites on both transfer and ribosomal RNA. Possible mechanisms of such an effect are discussed.