Formation of free radicals from carcinogenic benz[c]acridines in the presence of proteins.

Formation of a free radical from carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic benz[c]acridine derivatives in the presence of proteins was examined. When aqueous mixture of benz[c]acridine and protein was stirred for a long period, shielded from light, benz[c]acridines were converted into free radicals. Albumin had the greatest effect in accelerating the free radical formation, and the effect was smaller in globulin, histone, and deoxyribonuclease. The g-value of the free radicals thus obtained was 2.005. Intensity of the electron spin resonance (ESR) signals of the free radical from carcinogenic derivatives was higher than those of the free radical from noncarcinogenic derivatives. There was a corresponding correlation among the ESR signal intensity of the free radical formed from the mixed system of benz[c]acridine and protein, charge of the K-region or ring nitrogen of the compound, and carcinogenicity of benz[c]acridines.