[Thymidine kinase gene mutation assay--comparison of microwell method and soft agar method].
OBJECTIVE
TK gene mutation assay was developed for a long time. Two methods are used in TK locus mutation assay, i.e. microwell method and soft agar method. Two methods were compared in this study so that to find out the better one to be used in China.


METHODS
In this study, two methods (microwell method and soft agar method) were used for detecting and evaluating the mutagenesis of three positive mutagens, i.e. MMS, EMS, and MMC, and a non-mutagen KCl.


RESULTS
Two methods was similar in results for three mutagens. For KCl, however, a negative result was showed in soft agar method while a positive result was showed in microwell method.


CONCLUSIONS
According to the present study, it is recommended that the soft agar method should be popularized in China.
Shuai
Peiqiang
P
School of Public Health, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
Zhang
Lishi
L
Wang
Yijing
Y
D000818:Animals; D007940:Leukemia L5178 / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D009152:Mutagenicity Tests / Q000379:methods*; D009154:Mutation; D013937:Thymidine Kinase / Q000235:genetics*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D013937:Thymidine Kinase