Origin and Significance of Chromosomal Alterations

  • A. T. Natarajan
Conference paper

Abstract

The spontaneous frequency of chromosomal changes (structural and numerical aberrations) in humans is in the order of 6 in 1,000 newborn. Chromosomal analysis of spontaneous abortuses indicate that about 50% of all spontaneous abortions are chromosomally abnormal. Populations exposed to ionizing radiations (atom bomb survivors) or chemical mutagens (e.g., workers occupationally exposed to vinyl chloride or benzene) show increased frequencies of chromosomal aberrations in their peripheral blood lymphocytes. Many types of human cancer are associated with specific or nonspecific chromosomal aberrations. Several human recessive diseases, such as ataxia telangiectasia (A-T), Fanconi’s anemia (FA) and Bloom’s syndrome (BS) are associated with increased frequencies of chromosomal aberrations. However, no detectable increase in the frequency of spontaneous point mutations in human populations exposed to ionizing radiations or chemical mutagens has been demonstrated so far. These observations point to the importance of understanding the mechanism involved in the origin of chromosomal alterations and their significance.

Keywords

Chromosomal Aberration Chinese Hamster Ovary Cell Sister Chromatid Exchange Ataxia Telangiectasia Chromosomal Alteration 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 1984

Authors and Affiliations

  • A. T. Natarajan
    • 1
    • 2
  1. 1.Department of Radiation Genetics and Chemical MutagenesisUniversity of Leiden, Sylvius LaboratoriesLeidenThe Netherlands
  2. 2.Interuniversity Institute of Radiopathology and Radiation ProtectionJ.A. Cohen InstituteLeidenThe Netherlands

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