Rapid detection of chemical carcinogens by measuring RNA released from microsomes in post-mitochondrial supernatant.

Incubation of carcinogens with post-mitochondrial supernatant (PMS) and NADPH releases ribosomes from microsomes resulting in increased RNA concentration in post-microsomal supernatant. However, non-carcinogens fail to do so. Enhanced concentration of RNA in test over control samples can provide a useful index for the carcinogenicity of environmental pollutants.