title: [Thymidine kinase gene mutation assay--comparison of microwell method and soft agar method].
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
authors.forename: Peiqiang
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Shuai
authors.forename: Lishi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Yijing
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D013937:Thymidine Kinase