aflatoxinDNA

Aflatoxins are a group of toxic compounds produced by certain molds, primarily Aspergillus species, which can contaminate food crops. When aflatoxins are present in food, they can interact with DNA, forming adducts. These aflatoxin-DNA adducts are considered a critical step in the process by which aflatoxins exert their toxic and carcinogenic effects. The formation of these adducts occurs when the aflatoxin molecule, after being metabolized in the body, binds covalently to specific sites on the DNA molecule, most commonly guanine bases. This binding can disrupt normal DNA replication and transcription processes. Furthermore, these adducts can lead to mutations if not repaired correctly by cellular DNA repair mechanisms. Accumulation of unrepaired mutations, particularly in critical genes like tumor suppressor genes, is a hallmark of cancer development. The study of aflatoxin-DNA adducts is therefore crucial for understanding the mechanism of aflatoxin-induced genotoxicity and carcinogenicity, and for developing methods to detect and potentially mitigate these risks. Measuring specific aflatoxin-DNA adducts in biological samples can also serve as a biomarker for exposure and risk assessment.