Anthracene becomes covalently bound to high-molecular-weight DNA in mammalian tissue culture as a result of irradiation at 365 nm after the incubation of cells with the hydrocarbon. At high radiation doses, the extent of binding exceeds one hydrocarbon molecule per 103 bases, and is lethal. At low radiation doses, much decreased binding is observed, but a majority of cells remain viable and can be recultured.
