Comutagen Explained

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]

Notes and References

  1. Book: National Research Council (US) Committee on Diet, Nutrition, and Cancer . Diet, Nutrition, and Cancer. National Academic Press. 1982.
  2. Book: Shamberger , R. . Nutrition and Cancer. Springer US. 2012. 978-1-4684-4670-8. 28 August 2018. 274. 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. Book: De Serr. F.J.. Hollaender. A.. Chemical Mutagens: Principles and Methods for Their Detection. Springer US. v. 6. 2013. 978-1-4613-3072-1. 28 August 2018. 52. 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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