The induction of bacterial mutation and hepatocyte unscheduled DNA synthesis by monosubstituted anilines.

A group of 45 monosubstituted aniline compounds was tested for the induction of point mutations in Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli as well as for unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) in rat hepatocyte culture. Eleven compounds were bacterial mutagens, and five compounds induced UDS. Among these a correspondence between mutagenicity and UDS occurred for only two compounds (o-phenylenediamine and 4-aminobiphenyl), and these were also reported to be carcinogenic in rodents. Bacterial mutation was observed for one compound (p-phenylenediamine) not carcinogenic in rodents, and six suspect carcinogens were not detected in either test. In addition, eight compounds of unknown carcinogenic potential induced either bacterial mutation or UDS.