Heterocyclic amines

[Kate Zeile 2D]

I was watching a nutrition/health video the other day that mentioned the carcinogenic effects of heterocyclic amines, and I want to know more. How are heterocyclic amines produced and why are they carcinogenic?

[Jessica_Singh_1J]

Basically, heterocyclic amines are produced when protein-rich meats like beef, fish, and poultry are cooked at high temperatures (basically well-done meat). They're carcinogenic in that they produce DNA adducts (segments of DNA bound to a cancer-causing chemical) through the formation of N-C bonds at guanine bases. HCAs can cause mutations, deletions, and insertions at the DNA level and are thus highly mutagenic.