Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A comparison of the sensitivity and sepecificity of microbial systems for assessing genetic damage

  • Regulation of Respiration
  • Models in Toxicology
  • Published:
Agents and Actions Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Several microbial genetic systems were tested for their ability to respond to a variety of agents which cause different types of nuclear genetic damage. Reverse or forward mutation systems in ‘E. coli’, ‘Salmonella typhimurium’ or ‘Saccharomyces cerevisiae’ were best for detecting mutagens, whereas tests involving gene conversion in diploid yeast or comparison ofuvr + withuvr − bacterial strains appeared most effective for agents causing chromosomal damage.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. I. D. Adler,The Problem of Caffeine Mutagenicity, in:Chemical Mutagenesis in Mammals and Man, chap. 24 (Ed. F. Vogel and G. Röhrborn; Springer Verlag Press 1970), p. 383–403.

  2. B. N. Ames,The Detection of Chemical Mutagens with Enteric Bacteria, in:Chemical Mutagens, vol. 1, chap. 9 (Ed. A. Hollaender; Plenum Press 1971), p. 267–282.

  3. B. N. Ames, F. D. Lee andW. E. Durston,An Improved Bacterial Test System for the Detection and Classification of Mutagens and Carcinogens,. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. (N. Y.)70, 782–786 (1973).

    Google Scholar 

  4. C. G. Arnold,Chromosomal Aberrations in Plants, in:Chemical Mutagenesis in Mammals and Man, chap. 11 (Ed. F. Vogel and G. Röhrborn;. Springer Verlag Press 1970), p. 220–231.

  5. C. Auerbach,The Chemical Production of Mutation, Science158, 1141 (1967)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. A. Barthelmas,Mutagenic Substances in the Human Environment, in:Chemical Mutagenesis in Mammals and Man, chap. 3 (Ed. F. Vogel and G. Röhrborn; Springer Verlag Press 1970), p. 69–147.

  7. B. A. Bridges,Simple Bacterial Systems for Detecting Mutagenic Agents, Lab. Prac.21, 413–419 (1972).

    Google Scholar 

  8. B. A. Bridges andR. J. Munson,Excision Repair of DNA Damage in an Auxotrophic Strain of Escherichia coli, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm.22, 268–273 (1966).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. E. Cerda-Olmeda, P. C. Hanawalt andN. Guerola,Mutagenesis of the Replication Point by Nitrosoguanidine; Map and Pattern of Replication of the Escherichia coli Chromosome, J. Mol. Biol.33, 705–719 (1968).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. C. D. Darlington,Evolution of Genetic Systems (Allen and Unwin Press 1939).

  11. E. Di Mauro, L. Snyder, P. Marino, A. Lamberti, A. Coppo andG. P. Tochini-Valentini,Rifampin Sensitivity of the Components of DNA Dependent RNA Polymerase, Nature, Lond.222, 533–537 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  12. J. W. Drake,Mutagenic Mechanisms, Ann. Rev. Genet.3, 247–268 (1969).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. R. Fahrig,Metabolic Activation of Mutagens in Mammals. Host-Mediated Assay Utilizing the Induction of Mitotic Gene Conversion in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Agents and Actions3, 99–109 (1973).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. L. Fowden andM. H. Richmond Replacement of Proline by Azetidine-2-carboxylic Acid during Biosynthesis of Protein, Biochim. Biophys. Acta71, 459–461 (1963).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. E. Freese,Molecular Mechanisms of Mutation, in:Chemical Mutagens, vol. 1, chap. 1 (Ed. A. Hollaender; Plenum Press 1971), p. 1–56.

  16. M. G. Gabridge, A. Denunzio andM. S. Legator,Microbial Mutagenicity of Streptozotocin in Animal-Mediated Assays, Nature, Lond.221, 69–70 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  17. L. Gorini andJ. R. Beckwith,Suppression, Ann. Rev. Microbiol., p. 401–422 (1966).

  18. M. Grenson, M. Mousset, J. M. Wiame andJ. Bechet,Multiplicity of the Amino-Acid Permeases in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Biochim. Biophys. Acta127, 325–338 (1966).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. R. Holliday,The Induction of Mitotic Recombination by Mitomycin C in Ustilago maydis and Saccharomyces, Genetics50, 323–335 (1964).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. B. C. Lamb,Mutations, Base Changes and Gene Conversion, Heredity31, 137 (1973).

    Google Scholar 

  21. L. S. Lerman,Acridine Mutagens and DNA Structure, J. Cell. Comp. Physiol.64, Suppl. 1–18 (1966).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. A. Loveless,Mutation of T2 Bacteriophage as a Consequence of Alkylation in vitro: the Uniqueness of Ethylation, Proc. Roy. Soc. Ser B150, 497–508 (1959).

    Google Scholar 

  23. I. Murayama andN. Otsuji,Mutation by Mitomycins in the Ultraviolet Sensitive Mutants of Escherichia coli, Mutation Res.18, 117–118 (1973).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. J. M. Parry,Mitotic Recombination in Yeast, Lab. Prac.21, 417–419 (1972).

    Google Scholar 

  25. A. Putramen, H. Baranowska andJ. Pachecka Mutagenic Action of Hydroxylamine and Methoxyamine on Yeast, Mol. Gen. Genet.122, 61–72 (1973).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. G. Röhrborn,Biochemical Mechanisms of Mutation, in:Chemical Mutagenesis in Mammals and Man, chap. 1 (Ed. F. Vogel and G. Röhrborn; Springer Verlag Press 1970), p. 1–15.

  27. P. P. Slonimski, G. Perrodin, J. H. Croft,Ethidium Bromide Induced Mutation of Yeast Mitochondria-Complete Transformation of Cells into Respiratory Deficient Non-Chromosomal ‘petites’, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm.30, 232–239 (1968).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. W. Szybalski andV. N. Iyer,The Mitomycins and Profiromycins, in:Antibiotics 1. Mechanisms of Action (Ed. David Shaw and P. D. Gottlieb; Springer-Verlag Press 1967), p. 211–245.

  29. P. J. Talmud andD. Lewis,Amino-Acid Analogues as Mutagens in Eucaryotes, Heredity31, 139 (1973).

    Google Scholar 

  30. H. L. K. Whitehouse,The Mechanism of Genetic Recombination, Biol. Rev.45, 265–315 (1970).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. E. M. Witkin,Ultraviolet-Induced Mutation and DNA Repair, Ann. Rev. Microbiol.23, 487–514 (1969).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. F. K. Zimmermann,Induction of Mitotic Gene Conversion by Mutagens, Mutation Res.11, 327–337 (1971).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Unilver Research Laboratory, Colworth House, Sharnbrook, Befordshire, England

    I. de G. Mitchell

Authors
  1. I. de G. Mitchell
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Mitchell, I.d.G. A comparison of the sensitivity and sepecificity of microbial systems for assessing genetic damage. Agents and Actions 4, 286–294 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01965232

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01965232

Keywords

Search

Navigation