Monooxygenase activity of human epithelial cells (HeLa): comparison of the response to treatment by arylhydrocarbons and diterpene esters

Arylhydrocarbons are inducers of monooxygenase activity in epithelial cells in culture (Hela) whereas diterpene esters are not. This is one more example of a specific biochemical difference - here in gene activation - exhibited by tumor initiators and tumor promoters of the classes of compounds assayed.