title: The Escherichia coli WP2/WP100 rec assay for detection of potential chemical carcinogens.
abstract: 46 chemicals of various classes and structures, including 30 known animal carcinogens, were evaluated for genotoxic effects using the Escherichia coli rec assay with strains WP2 (wild-type) and WP100 (uvrA- recA-) in qualitative and quantitative spot tests and in quantitative suspension tests. The rec assay detected 17 of 30 known carcinogens as genotoxic agents, including mitomycin C and diethylnitrosamine, both negative in the Salmonella/Ames test as utilized in these studies. The rec assay in conjunction with the Salmonella/Ames test detected 20 of 30 known carcinogens as genotoxic agents. Azo/aminoazo carcinogens showed little gentoxicity, and the aromatic amine 2-acetylaminofluorene was non-genotoxic in the rec assay. The rec assay was more effective than pol tests with E. coli strains W3110/p3478 and strains WP2/WP67. Effectiveness of the rec assay was related to the DNA repair-defective nature of the uvrA- recA- genotype of strain WP100.
mesh_terms: D002273:Carcinogens; D004260:DNA Repair; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D009152:Mutagenicity Tests
chemical_list: D002273:Carcinogens