Generation of mutagens during arachidonic acid metabolism

Abstract

The development of malignant tumors from human epithelial cells is associated with mutations in oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes [1]. The accumulation of genetic alterations appears to be more important than a particular sequence of gene inactivation. This suggests that induction of mutations occurs continuously throughout the carcinogenic process. The present article describes pathways by which arachidonic acid metabolism results in species capable of damaging DNA and inducing mutations in cellular genes.