Comutagen

A comutagen is a substance that is not a mutagen by itself, but in the presence of a mutagen, enhances mutagenic activity.[1] There are at least two manners by which this may occur; the comutagen may strengthen the mutagenic activity of mutagenic chemicals, or it can create a mutagenic response from nonmutagens.[2] Chemicals such as harmane and norharmane (present in tobacco tar) have been identified as comutagens.[3]

References

  1. National Research Council (US) Committee on Diet, Nutrition, and Cancer (1982). Diet, Nutrition, and Cancer. National Academic Press.
  2. Shamberger, R. (2012). Nutrition and Cancer. Springer US. p. 274. ISBN 978-1-4684-4670-8. Retrieved 28 August 2018. Modifiers of mutagenicity can be either comutagens or antimutagens. Comutagens are substances that enhance the mutagenic activity of a chemical even though it is not in itself mutagenic.
  3. De Serr, F.J.; Hollaender, A. (2013). Chemical Mutagens: Principles and Methods for Their Detection. Springer US. p. 52. ISBN 978-1-4613-3072-1. Retrieved 28 August 2018. Norharman and harman interfere with the metabolism of many mutagens/carcinogens, enhancing or depressing their mutagenicities. When norharman increases mutagenicity, its action can be called "comutagenic."


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