title: Sensitivity of two Chinese hamster cell lines to SCE induction by a variety of chemical mutagens.
abstract: SCE induction in Chinese hamster Don (lung) cells was compared with that in CHO (ovary) cells exposed under identical conditions to 14 known mutagens. Test protocols used for comparison were selected following a study of Don and CHO cell responses to aflatoxin B1 and benzo[a]pyrene. In the absence of added metabolizing enzymes 9-aminoacridine, 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide, N-methyl-N-nitrosourea, dimethylcarbamoyl chloride, beta-propiolactone, daunomycin, aflatoxin B1 and 2-aminoanthracene were directly active in both cell lines; every substance positive in CHO cells was also positive in Don cells. However, the latter detected cyclophosphamide, hydrazine sulphate, benz[c]acridine, 3-methylcholanthrene and benzo[a]pyrene without addition of S9. CHO cells did not respond equivalently to these mutagens, either in the presence or absence of S9. Other differences between the cell lines depended on chemical exposure time, S9 pre-incubation or co-incubation conditions. For example, the ability of CHO cells to detect SCEs due to 2-aminoanthracene was acutely dependent on exposure time. In addition, Don cells exhibited lower background SCE values which were less variable than those of CHO cells under the same culture conditions. Although incapable of detecting 4-dimethylaminoazobenzene (butter yellow) and not as sensitive to cyclophosphamide as certain cell lines of liver origin, the pseudodiploid Don cell line possesses other desirable characteristics required for in vitro SCE assays, particularly with regard to intrinsic metabolic activation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and related substances.
mesh_terms: D016604:Aflatoxin B1; D000348:Aflatoxins / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene; D001580:Benzopyrenes / Q000494:pharmacology; D002460:Cell Line; D006224:Cricetinae; D003412:Cricetulus; D003434:Crossing Over, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D008168:Lung; D008862:Microsomes, Liver; D009152:Mutagenicity Tests / Q000379:methods*; D009153:Mutagens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010053:Ovary; D012854:Sister Chromatid Exchange / Q000187:drug effects*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000348:Aflatoxins; D001580:Benzopyrenes; D009153:Mutagens; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene; D016604:Aflatoxin B1