Identification and Characterization of Aneuploidy-Inducing Agents by DNA-Protein Flow Cytometry in V79 Chinese Hamster Cells

Abstract

The reproducibility and usefulness of DNA-protein flow analysis as an in vitro test for aneuploidy in V79 Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts was demonstrated by making repeated measurements in untreated cultures and by testing three established aneugenic compounds: carbendazim, nocodazole, and estriol. Studies were completed by microscopic examination of the cells and results compared with data obtained from ketotifen, a chemical with a cell cycle-inhibiting activity only. Nocodazole and carbendazim had similar affects on cellular DNA and protein content. After the 6-h exposure, a dose-dependent pronounced decrease in the relative number of cells in the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle and an increase in G2 phase cells were observed. This increase was associated with an increase in the relative number of metaphase cells, cells with malformed nuclei, and in the DNA dispersion in G0/G1 phase cells (coefficient of variation, CV1). Carbendazim increased the relative number of S phase cells whereas nocodazole cause...