Detection of chromosome loss and gain induced by griseofulvin, estramustine, and vanadate in binucleated lymphocytes using FISH analysis

Cytochalasin B-blocked binucleated human lymphocytes from a healthy male do nor were used to detect micronucleus induction and other aneuploidy events (chromosome loss-and gain) after treatment with griseofulvin (GF), estramus tine (EM), and sodium orthovanadate (Na3VO4). A two-color FISH was performe d by using centromeric probes for chromosome 2 (FITC labeled) and the X chr omosome (TRITC labeled) to meal sure chromosome loss and gain events in bin ucleated cells. GF induced mainly aneuploid binucleates involving the X chr omosome, bur this was not associated with preferential loss of one of the t wo chromosomes. EM preferentially induced aneuploidy of: chromosome 2, and Na3VO4 of the X chromosome. Our results indicate that chromosome malsegrega tion: events (chromosome loss and/or gain) are probably not randomly induce d, suggesting that different mechanisms leading to aneuploidy may be either chromosome-dependent or compound- and dose-related. Environ. Mol Mutagen. 34:64-68, 1999. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss Inc.