DETECTION OF DNA-ADDUCTS BY P-32 POSTLABELING AND MULTIFRACTION CONTACT-TRANSFER THIN-LAYER CHROMATOGRAPHY

P-32-Postlabeling is a sensitive method for detecting DNA adducts. Lar ge bulky adducts, particularly from polycyclic aromatic compounds, are readily detected using this technique. Detection of small modificatio ns, such as methylations, has often required specific additional enric hment procedures prior to P-32- postlabeling. We report the use of a s ingle analytical procedure that can detect DNA adducts of a wide range of sizes and hydrophobicities (exemplified by adducts produced with m ethyl methanesulfonate, diepoxybutane, styrene oxide, or benzo[a]pyren e). This P-32-postlabeling/thin-layer chromatography procedure is part icularly useful when examining the potential of novel compounds or the ir metabolites to form DNA adducts. (C) 1994 Society of Toxicology.