COMPARISON OF COMMON GENE MUTATION TESTS IN MAMMALIAN-CELLS IN CULTURE - A POSITION PAPER OF THE DEVELOPMENT-OF-GUIDELINES-FOR-GENOTOXICITY-TESTING

In gene mutation tests a decision concerning mutations is made on the basis of hereditary functional changes. In terms of the large amount o f data available, the most suitable tests for routine testing in mamma lian cells in culture are the tests for acquisition of 6-thioguanine r esistance in Chinese hamster cells (V79 and CHO) and for acquisition o f alpha,alpha,alpha-trifluorothymidine resistance in the mouse lymphom a line L5178Y TK+/- 3.7.2C The molecular bases, peculiarities, advanta ges and disadvantages of these systems will be presented. Which system is to be preferred in any particular case depends among other things on the purpose of the study and the extent to which a technically comp etent performance of these comparatively exacting tests can be guarant eed.