HUMAN-CHROMOSOME ABERRATIONS INDUCED IN-VITRO BY PARACOCCIDIOIDES-BRASILIENSIS GLYCOPROTEIC COMPONENT (GP-43)

The in vitro cytogenetic effects of the 43-kDa molecular mass exocellu lar glycoproteic component (GP 43) from Paracoccidioides brasiliensis were studied in cultures from human lymphocytes. The sample included 1 0 healthy, white, non-smoking, non-related males (mean age of 31.3 +/- 8.2 years). Besides the control, three concentrations of GP 43 (0.125 , 1.25 and 5 mu g/ml) were used. In each group, around 1000 cells were examined in search of chromosome aberrations, and 30 000 metaphases w ere analysed for the determination of the Mitotic Index. The authors c onclude that GP 43 most probably causes inhibition of the cell cycle a nd aneugenic and clastogenic effects.