title: The automated FADU-assay, a potential high-throughput in vitro method for early screening of DNA breakage.
abstract: Genotoxicity tests are essential to identify compounds that have a potential to compromise not only the environment but also human and animal health, including compounds that increase the risk of cancer. At present, no single test is capable of detecting all types of genotoxic effects; therefore a battery of in vitro and, if positive, in vivo tests is necessary to determine the genotoxicity of a substance. However, the respective specificities of current assays have been criticized for their high percentage of false positive results. We recently published an automated version of the "Fluorimetric detection of Alkaline DNA Unwinding" (FADU) assay for measuring DNA strand breaks in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells or in cell lines. Using this new technology we show detection of DNA strand breaks in cells treated with several compounds known to induce DNA strand breaks by various mechanisms. We also tested toxic compounds that were not expected to induce DNA strand breaks; these were negative in the assay as expected. Finally, we included zinc oxide nanoparticles of high production volume to explore further fields of potential FADU applications. The main advantages of this assay are high reproducibility, easy handling, lack of operator bias, high-throughput, speed, and low cost.
authors: Molecular Toxicology Group, Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Germany.
authors: María
authors: M
authors: Moreno-Villanueva
authors: Tobias
authors: T
authors: Eltze
authors: Dirk
authors: D
authors: Dressler
authors: Jürgen
authors: J
authors: Bernhardt
authors: Cordula
authors: C
authors: Hirsch
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Wick
authors: Gudrun
authors: G
authors: von Scheven
authors: Kirsten
authors: K
authors: Lex
authors: Alexander
authors: A
authors: Bürkle
mesh_terms: D000826:Animal Testing Alternatives / Q000379:methods*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D001331:Automation; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000633:toxicity*; D053960:DNA Breaks / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007306:Insecticides / Q000633:toxicity; D019169:Jurkat Cells; D009152:Mutagenicity Tests / Q000379:methods*; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry; D012402:Rotenone / Q000633:toxicity; D013997:Time Factors; D015034:Zinc Oxide / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D002273:Carcinogens; D007306:Insecticides; D012402:Rotenone; D015034:Zinc Oxide