Skip to main content
Log in

A model for the production of chromosome damage by Mitomycin C

  • Published:
Chromosoma Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A model is presented, which is based on the idea that the chromosome damage induced by Mitomycin C results directly from repair or misrepair of DNA molecules responsible for the linear continuity of the chromosomes. Testing the model with human cells confirms the prediction that exchanges with complete joining occur between chromosome regions containing homologous, repetitive DNA. Most probably incomplete exchanges involve homologous, but unique DNA sequences. — Prerequisites determining the MC-induced aberration patterns are the distribution of the chemical due to compartmentalization, the somatic pairing of chromosomes, and the occurrence of repeated or unique DNA sequences. — The scoring of different classes of MC-induced chromatid aberrations (attenuation, constriction, gap, break) in alcohol/acetic acid-fixed chromosome has a limited value.

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

Access this article

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Arrighi, F.E., Hsu, T. C.: Localization of heterochromatin in human chromosomes. Cytogenetics 10, 81–86 (1971).

    Google Scholar 

  • Boyce, R. P., Howard-Flanders, P.: Genetic control of DNA breakdown and repair in E. coli K-12 treated with mitomycin C or ultraviolet light. Z. Vererbungsl. 95, 345–350 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  • Brinkley, B. R., Shaw, M. W.: Ultrastructural aspects of chromosome damage. In: Genetic concepts and neoplasia. A collection of papers presented at the twenty-third annual symposium on fundamental cancer research, p. 313–345. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins Co. 1970.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brøgger, A.: Translocation in human chromosomes with special reference to mental retardation and congenital malformations. Oslo: Universitetsforlaget 1967.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brøgger, A.: Apparently spontaneous chromosome damage in human leukocytes and the nature of chromatid gaps. Hum. Genet. 13, 1–14 (1971).

    Google Scholar 

  • Callan, H. G.: On the organization of genetic units in chromosomes. J. Cell Sci. 2, 1–7 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • Camargo, E. P., Plaut, W.: The radioautographic detection of DNA with tritiated actinomycin D. J. Cell Biol. 35, 713–716 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, M. M., Shaw, M. W.: Effects of mitomycin C on human chromosomes. J. Cell Biol. 23, 386–395 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  • Dubinin, N. P., Soyfer, V. N.: Chromosome breakage and complete genic mutation production in molecular terms. Mutation Res. 8, 353–365 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • Ebstein, B. S.: Tritiated actinomycin D as a cytochemical label for small amounts of DNA. J. Cell Biol. 35, 709–713 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • Evans, H. J., Scott, D.: The induction of chromosome aberrations by nitrogen mustard and its dependence on DNA synthesis. Proc. roy. Soc. B 178, 491–512 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • German, J., La Rock, J.: Chromosomal effects of mitomycin, a potential recombinogen in mammalian cell genetics. Tex. Rep. Biol. Med. 27, 409–418 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • Iyer, V. N., Szybalski, W.: A molecular mechanism of mitomycin action: Linking of complementary DNA strands. Proc. nat. Acad. Sci. (Wash.) 50, 355–362 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  • Iyer, V. N., Szybalski, W.: Mitomycins and porfiromycin: Chemical mechanism of activation and cross-linking of DNA. Science 145, 55–58 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones, K. W., Corneo, G.: Location of satellite and homogeneous DNA sequences on human chromosomes. Nature (Lond.) New Biol. 233, 268–271 (1971).

    Google Scholar 

  • Merz, T.: Effect of mitomycin C on lateral root-tip chromosomes of Vicia faba. Science 133, 329–330 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  • Natarajan, A. T., Ahnström, G.: Heterochromatin and chromosome aberrations. Chromosoma (Berl.) 28, 48–61 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • Natarajan, A. T., Schmid, W.: Differential response of constitutive and facultative heterochromatin in manifestation of mitomycin induced chromosome aberrations in Chinese hamster cells in vitro. Chromosoma (Berl.) 33, 48–62 (1971).

    Google Scholar 

  • Nowell, P. C.: Mitotic inhibition and chromosome damage by mitomycin in human leukocyte cultures. Exp. Cell Res. 33, 445–449 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  • Rao, R. N., Natarajan, A. T.: Somatic association in relation to chemically induced chromosome aberrations in Vicia faba. Genetics 57, 821–825 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • Reid, B. D., Walker, I. G.: The response of mammalian cells to alkylating agents. II. On the mechanism of the removal of sulfur-mustard-induced crosslinks. Biochim. biophys. Acta (Amst.) 179, 179–188 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • Reveil, S. H.: The accurate estimation of chromatid breakage, and its relevance to a new interpretation of chromatid aberrations induced by ionizing radiations. Proc. roy. Soc. B 150, 563–589 (1959).

    Google Scholar 

  • Scheld, W., Traut, H.: Ultraviolet-microscopical studies on achromatic lesions (“gaps”) induced by X-rays in the chromosomes of Vicia faba. Mutation Res. 10, 159–161 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  • Scheid, W., Traut, H.: Visualization of achromatic lesions (gaps) induced by X-rays in chromosomes of Vicia faba by staining of chromosomal proteins. Mutation Res. 12, 97–99 (1971).

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmid, W.: DNA replication patterns of human chromosomes. Cytogenetics 2, 175–193 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaw, M. W., Cohen, M. D.: Chromosome changes in human leukocytes induced by mitomycin C. Genetics 51, 181–190 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • Simard, R.: The binding of actinomycin D-3H to heterochromatin as studied by quantitative high resolution radioautography. J. Cell Biol. 35, 716–722 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • Utsumi, S.: Localized chromosome breakage induced by mitomycin C in Tradescantia paludosa and Vicia faba root tips. Jap. J. Genet. 46, 125–134 (1971).

    Google Scholar 

  • Weissbach, A., Lisio, A.: Alkylation of nucleic acids by mitomycin C and porfiromycin. Biochemistry 4, 196–200 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • Whitehouse, H. L. K.: A theory of crossing-over by means of hybrid deoxyribonucleic acid. Nature (Lond.) 199, 1034–1040 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Brøgger, A., Johansen, J. A model for the production of chromosome damage by Mitomycin C. Chromosoma 38, 95–104 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00319957

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00319957

Keywords

Navigation