DNA adducts are typically formed when a chemical compound, such as a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), nitrosamine, or alkylating agent interacts with the DNA in a cell. These compounds can be introduced into the body through various sources such as smoking, diet, and environmental pollutants. Once inside the body, these chemicals undergo metabolic activation, usually by enzymes like cytochrome P450, to become electrophilic species that can covalently bind to DNA.
