Chromosomal mutations mammalian cell line assays

The mouse lymphoma (MOLY) assay is an in vitro mammalian cell gene mutation test that can be used to detect gene mutations induced by chemical substances. The cell line used is the L5178Y MOLY cell. In these cell lines the most commonly used genetic end points measure mutation at the thymidine kinase (TK) locus on the mouse chromosome 11b. 

Cytogenetic examination of bone marrow cells showed no increase in aberrations in maternal and neonatal rats following maternal oral exposure to a DeBDE and NoBDE mixture. In vitro assays found that DeBDE did not induce gene mutations in several bacterial tests (Ames assays) or in mammalian cells. DeBDE also did not induce chromosomal aberrations in Chinese hamster ovary cells. However, exposure to the congeners 2,2, 4,4 -tetra-BDE, 3,4-diBDE, and 2-monoBDE caused increased recombinogenic activity at the HGPRT locus in several cell lines. 

Differently from gene mutations, structural chromosome aberrations exert only deleterious effects on both somatic and germ cells. Thus, the in vitro chromosome aberration test (CAvit) has been designed in order to identify agents that induce structural chromosomal changes in cultured mammalian somatic cells. This assay is usually carried out in human peripheral lymphocytes and cell lines such as Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells or Chinese hamster... 

Figure 10.1. Correlation data for the sensitivity and specificity for single in vitro genotoxicity assays and assay combinations. Ames, Salmonella reverse mutation test introduced by B. Ames MLA, tk assay using the L5178Y mouse lymphoma cell line Cab, chromosome aberration test with different mammalian cell types MN, in vitro micronucleus assay with different mammalian cell types. [Data according to Kirkland et al. (2005a).]...

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