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Sister chromatid exchange: the most sensitive mammalian system for determining the effects of mutagenic carcinogens

Conference ·
OSTI ID:7312035
The induction of sister chromatid exchanges in cultured cells by mutagenic carcinogens provides a sensitive cytogenetic test for the observations of the effects of these compounds on DNA. The induction of sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs), occurs at very low concentrations, far lower than those at which effects can be noticed in mammalian systems with more ordinary mutagenic and cytological tests. The SCE tests have the advantage of being very quick. For instance, CHO cells can be seeded into flasks on one day, treated on the next, and fixed 24 hours later. The cells can be quickly stained and scored. Since such a large number of SCEs is induced per chromosome, statistically significant results can be obtained when only 20 cells are scored, as contrasted to the tedious lengthy scoring required to observe significant differences with ordinary chromosome aberrations.
Research Organization:
California Univ., San Francisco (USA). Lab. of Radiobiology
DOE Contract Number:
EY-76-C-03-1012
OSTI ID:
7312035
Report Number(s):
CONF-770559-11
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English