A permanent fish cell line (EPC) for genotoxicity testing of marine sediments with the comet assay

Genotoxicity and cytotoxicity were evaluated in an in vitro system with a p ermanent cell line Epithelioma papulosum cyprini (EPC) derived from a skin tumour of carp (Cyprinus carpio L.). EPC cells were exposed to different co ncentrations of organic sediment extracts from the North Sea for 24h. After incubation the cells were analysed for viability and DNA strand breaks wit h the comet assay or single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE). The results co nfirm the sensitivity of this assay. Out of 10 marine sediment samples from the North Sea, 9 showed a dose-dependent genotoxic effect. The EC50 of sed iment extracts ranged from 7 to 307 mg sediment dry weight/ml assay volume. Hepatic microsomial enzymes from dab (Limanda limanda L.) was proposed for enzymatic activation of benzo[a]pyrene (BAP) or sediment extracts, respect ively. The suitability of this in vitro test system for assessing genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of marine sediment extracts on EPC cells could be de monstrated. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V All rights reserved.