Correlations between oncogenic and chemical properties of several derivatives of 3-hydroxyxanthine and 3-hydroxyguanine.

Abstract

Summary Comparative assays of the oncogenicities of a series of N -methyl and other derivatives of 3-hydroxyxanthine and 3-hydroxyguanine have been carried out. The oncogenicities are directly correlated with the chemical reactivities of esters of those derivatives in water at temperatures and pH9s approaching physiological. The oncogenic 3-hydroxypurine derivatives yield anions, which subsequently undergo either a reaction with nucleophilic groups via an ionic substitution mechanism or one via a reduction that appears to result from a free radical mechanism. Serious consideration should be given to each highly reactive intermediate, the free radical and the ionic, as candidate for the agent responsible for inducing the oncogenic process.