Procarcinogens

• • Procarcinogens require metabolic activation by cellular enzymes to form the ultimate carcinogenic species that covalently bind to DNA
  • Most procarcinogens are metabolized to carcinogenic compounds by cytochrome P450 enzymes in the smooth endoplasmic reticulum and are referred to as microsomal
• Example

  • Benzo[a]pyrene & Aflatoxin B1
• Procarcinogen (X bind to DNA) --> Proximate carcinogen (Intermediate metabolites) --> Ultimate carcinogen (Reactive metabolites that bind DNA)