Genetic variability in deacetylation of 2-acetylaminofluorene and N-hydroxy-2-acetylaminofluorene in inbred strains of mice

Genetic variability in 2-acetylaminofluorene (AAF) and N-hydroxy-2-acetylaminofluorene (N-OH-AAF) deacetylase activities was examined in 19 inbred strains of mice. AAF deacetylase activities ranged from 0.60 to 1.33 nmol/min/mg protein, and there was an ˜2.5-fold difference in AAF deacetylase activity between the fastest (C57BL/6J) and slowest (RIIIS/J) mouse strains. N-OH-AAF deacetylase activities ranged from 3.28 to 13.24 nmol/min/mg protein, and the difference between the fastest (AU/SsJ) and slowest (RIIIS/J) strains was 4-fold. N-OH-AAF deacetylase activity was higher (5–13 times) than AAF deacetylase activity in all strains examined. Thus, there are genetic differences in AAF and N-OH-AAF deacetylase activities; these differences may play an important role in individual susceptibility to the mutagenic and carcinogenic effects of the aromatic amides.