Circadian variation in the susceptibility of mouse epidermis to tumour induction by methylnitrosourea

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Abstract
To study possible circadian differences in the sensitivity of hairless mouse epidermis to a small dose of a short-acting alkylating carcinogen, groups of animals were painted once with 0.2 mg methylnitrosourea (MNU) at 08.00, 12.00, 20.00 and 24.00 h. Other animals were painted three times at weakly intervals at 08.00 and at 20.00 h, respectively. Significantly higher tumour yields were found in animals painted at 20.00 h (when the cell cycle progression and DNA synthesis rate are lowest, and when relatively large numbers of late G1 cells may accumulate) than at any other time point investigated. Hence a circadian variation in sensitivity to MNU in mouse epidermis is confirmed. This may be due to the variations in flux of cells through the S phase. The formation of DNA/carcinogen adducts may be facilitated at times of low flux with many cells in late G1, and fixation of these errors in DNA may take place by the subsequent increased flux through S, before repair is possible.