Abstract
The genetic implications of chromosomal translocations, inversions, and deletions for human health are well known (Hamerton, 1971). In addition, the presence of chromosomal aberrations indicates that damage to DNA has occurred. Similarly, sister chromatid exchanges (SCE), whose genetic significance is not known, have been found to be useful as a sensitive assay for the presence of DNA damage. Normally, chromosomal aberrations are scored at the first mitosis after treatment whereas SCE are scored at the second mitosis. For this reason the assays are not usually combined. One of the reasons that aberrations are scored at the first mitosis is that most of the aberrations that are easily detected are cell lethal events (although they are almost always accompanied by their heritable counterparts). Many of the cell lethal aberrations include an acentric fragment which, when not incorporated into the daughter nucleus, is detectable as a micronucleus.
This research has been supported by research grants from the Atkinson Charitable Foundation, the National Cancer Institute of Canada, and the National Science and Engineering Research Council. John Gingerich has been particularly helpful to us.
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© 1981 Springer-Verlag New York Inc.
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Heddle, J.A., Raj, A.S., Krepinsky, A.B. (1981). The Micronucleus Assay. II. In Vitro . In: Stich, H.F., San, R.H.C. (eds) Short-Term Tests for Chemical Carcinogens. Topics in Environmental Physiology and Medicine. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-5847-6_22
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-5847-6_22
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