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Title: Lack of induction of single-strand breaks in mammalian cells by sodium azide and its proximal mutagen

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6111002

The mutagenicity of sodium azide in both higher plants and bacteria is well documented. However, in mammalian cells, research on the effects of azide on gene mutations has produced conflicting results. Furthermore, no research has been conducted on the effects of azide and its proximal mutagen (mutagenic metabolite) on single-strand breaks. The experiments herein were designed to overcome this lack of information on azide mutagenicity and to evaluate the potential hazard of azide exposure to man. Chinese hamster V/sub 79/ cells were treated with either azide or its proximal mutagen(s) for 2 h or 6 h respectively and analyzed by alkaline elution for single-strand breaks. The data showed that there was no effect of either azide or the proximal mutagen(s) on single-strand DNA breaks nor was there any indication that azide or the proximal mutagen(s) induced DNA-protein crosslinks. The data suggest that neither azide nor its proximal mutagen(s) interact directly with DNA and suggest that the methods may be applied to any specified population and dose scenario.

Research Organization:
Washington State Univ., Pullman (USA). Coll. of Agriculture
DOE Contract Number:
AT06-76EV72002
OSTI ID:
6111002
Report Number(s):
DOE/EV/72002-56; ON: DE82001721
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English