Comet assay in genetic ecotoxicology: A review

The Comet assay, also called the single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) ass ay or microgel electrophoresis (MGE) assay, primarily measures DNA strand b reakage in single cells. Since the protocol was published by Singh et al. [ 1988], its use has increased in different topic areas: clinical application s, human monitoring, radiation biology, genetic toxicology, and genetic eco toxicology. This study is a review of the investigations that have involved the alkaline version of the Comet assay in genetic ecotoxicology. It focus es mainly on the type of organisms (plants, worms, molluscs, fish, amphibia ns, and mammalians) but also on the type of cells that have been used for e cotoxicological studies. In the 23 pacers published since 1993 and presente d here, the original test procedure may have been slightly modified accordi ng to the cell type. In vitro and in vivo experiments as well as in situ st udies have been carried out in various environments (water, soil, and air). Although the Comet assay is able to detect genotoxic effects of chemical a nd physical agents, only chemical substances and environmental complex mixt ures will be considered in this review. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.