A comutagen is a substance that is not a mutagen by itself, but in the presence of a mutagen, enhances mutagenic activity. There are at least two manners by which this may occur; the comutagen may strengthen the mutagenic activity of mutagenic chemicals, or it can create a mutagenic response from nonmutagens. Chemicals such as harmane and norharmane (present in tobacco tar) have been identified as comutagens.
References
- National Research Council (US) Committee on Diet, Nutrition, and Cancer (1982). Diet, Nutrition, and Cancer. National Academic Press.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - Shamberger, R. (2012). Nutrition and Cancer. Springer US. p. 274. ISBN 978-1-4684-4670-8. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
Modifiers of mutagenicity can be either comutagens or antimutagens. Comutagens are substances that enhance the mutagenic activity of a chemical even though it is not in itself mutagenic.
- De Serr, F.J.; Hollaender, A. (2013). Chemical Mutagens: Principles and Methods for Their Detection. Springer US. p. 52. ISBN 978-1-4613-3072-1. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
Norharman and harman interfere with the metabolism of many mutagens/carcinogens, enhancing or depressing their mutagenicities. When norharman increases mutagenicity, its action can be called "comutagenic."
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