Figure 2.

The genotoxic properties of acrolein (Acr) seem crucial in inducing cancer mutations in smokers. Acrolein interacting directly with nucleotide bases forms Acr-nucleotide base adducts and thus leads to their chemical modification (A). Effective acrolein-dependent weakening of the activity/inhibition of DNA repair enzymes amplifies the resulting DNA damage and mutations in cells (B). Additionally, acrolein affects the epigenetic mechanisms of gene expression regulation by inhibiting histone H4 acetylation (C).