SciELO - Scientific Electronic Library Online

 
vol.28 issue2Paraneoplastic hormonal syndromesEvolution of the epidemiological characteristics of tuberculosis in Navarra (1994-2003) author indexsubject indexarticles search
Home Pagealphabetic serial listing  

Services on Demand

Journal

Article

Indicators

Related links

  • On index processCited by Google
  • Have no similar articlesSimilars in SciELO
  • On index processSimilars in Google

Share


Anales del Sistema Sanitario de Navarra

Print version ISSN 1137-6627

Abstract

ZALACAIN, M.; SIERRASESUMAGA, L.  and  PATINO, A.. The cytogenetic assay as a measure of genetic instability induced by genotoxic agents. Anales Sis San Navarra [online]. 2005, vol.28, n.2, pp.227-236. ISSN 1137-6627.

Human genetic integrity is compromised by the intense industrial activity, which emphasizes the importance to determine an "acceptable" genetic damage level and to carry out routine genotoxicity assays in the populations at risk.  Micronuclei are cytoplasmatic bodies of nuclear origin which correspond to genetic material that is not correctly incorporated in the daughter cells in the cellular division; they reflect the existence of chromosomal aberrations and are originated by chromosomal breaks, replication errors followed by cellular division of the DNA and/or exposure to genotoxic agents. There are several factors able to modify the number of micronuclei present in a given cell, among them are age, gender, vitamins, medical treatments, daily exposure to genotoxic agents, etc.  The cytogenetic assay for the detection of micronuclei (CBMN: cytokinesis-block micronucleus) is based on the use of a chemical agent, cytochalasin-B, which is able to block cytocinesis but allowing the nuclear division, therefore yielding binucleated and monodivided cells. The micronuclei scoring is performed on 1000 binucleated cells and the starting sample may vary, although most studies are performed on peripheral blood lymphocytes.  The micronuclei assay is considered a practical, universally validated and technically feasible protocol which is useful to evaluate the genetic instability induced by genotoxic agents.

Keywords : Micronuclei; Chromosomal aberrations; Genotoxic agenets; Genetic instability.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )

 

Creative Commons License All the contents of this journal, except where otherwise noted, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License