Abstract
1,N6-Ethenoadenosine (epsilon A) and 3,N4-Ethenocytidine (epsilon C) in copolymers with unmodified nucleosides were transcribed using DNA-dependent RNA polymerase in the presence of Mn2+. Nearest neighbor analysis of the products showed that epsilon A directed incorporation of A much greater than U greater than C while epsilon C directed the incorporation of U greater than or equal to A much greater than C Neither directed G into the complementary polymer. Such misincorporations resulting from epsilon A and epsilon C, compounds that are formed in vivo by the carcinogen vinyl chloride, may have a biological role as promutagens.