title: Heterogeneity in chemical mutagen-induced chromosome damage after G2 phase exposure to bleomycin, ara-C and gentian violet in cultured lymphocytes of beta-thalassaemia traits.
abstract: Chemical mutagen-induced chromosome damage was analysed in cultured peripheral blood lymphocytes from beta-thalassaemia traits and healthy individuals. This was promoted by the fact that beta-thalassaemia trait is present in 1-17% of different population groups in India. To study mutagen-induced chromosome instability, G2 lymphocytes were exposed to bleomycin, ara-C or gentian violet in 48-h cultures. Spontaneous chromosome aberration frequencies in lymphocytes from beta-thalassaemia traits were found to be in the normal range. In all three clastogen-treated lymphocytes from beta-thalassaemia traits, there is a degree of hypersensitivity, when the results are averaged over a number of individuals, but some individuals overlap within the normal range. The heterogeneity in chemical mutagen sensitivity observed in beta-thalassaemia traits is discussed in terms of the oxidative damage consequent on the genetic and biochemical features peculiar to the beta-thalassaemia trait cell.
authors.affiliation: Cell Biology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Bombay, India.
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Krishnaja
authors.forename: N K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Sharma
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001761:Bleomycin / Q000633:toxicity*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D003561:Cytarabine / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D016195:G2 Phase / Q000187:drug effects*; D005840:Gentian Violet / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D003561:Cytarabine; D001761:Bleomycin; D005840:Gentian Violet