title: Human fibroblast strains showing increased sensitivity or resistance to ethidium bromide.
abstract: The sensitivity of a number of human fibroblast cell strains towards the DNA intercalating and mutagenic agent ethidium bromide has been examined. Among the cell strains investigated, 3 were of fetal origin, 6 from clinically normal adult persons, 2 from Lesch-Nyhan individuals and 1 each from persons with 3 genetic disorders, xeroderma pigmentosum, Fanconi anemia and Bloom syndrome, which are known to predispose to cancer. Results of our studies show that cells derived from 2 otherwise normal individuals exhibits a marked sensitivity towards ethidium bromide as compared to the rest of the group. At the same time all 3 cell strains of fetal origin were found to be highly resistant to killing by this agent. These results are discussed in relation to the toxic/mutagenic effects of ethidium bromide.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001816:Bloom Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004996:Ethidium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005199:Fanconi Anemia / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007926:Lesch-Nyhan Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism; D008168:Lung; D008297:Male; D009153:Mutagens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012867:Skin; D014983:Xeroderma Pigmentosum / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D009153:Mutagens; D004996:Ethidium