Cadmium alters the formation of benzo[a]pyrene DNA adducts in the RPTEC/TERT1 human renal proximal tubule epithelial cell line.

Previously, we demonstrated the sensitivity of RPTEC/TERT1 cells, an immortalized human renal proximal tubule epithelial cell line, to two common environmental carcinogens, cadmium (Cd) and benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P). Here, we measured BPDE-DNA adducts using a competitive ELISA method after cells were exposed to 0.01, 0.1, and 1 μM B[a]P to determine if these cells, which appear metabolically competent, produce BPDE metabolites that react with DNA. BPDE-DNA adducts were most significantly elevated at 1 μM B[a]P after 18 and 24 hours with 36.34 +/- 9.14 (n = 3) and 59.75 +/- 17.03 (n = 3) adducts/10