PubMed · 1995 · 21 citations · 0 references
PharmacyGeneticsToxicologyGenetic ToxicologyHeavy Metal ToxicologyMolecular ToxicologyEnvironmental GenotoxicantsGenotoxicity MechanismsGenotoxicity Risk AssessmentMercury ToxicologyMolecular Mechanisms Of ToxicityMutagenicity AssessmentChinese Hamster Ovary CellsConcentration-dependent BindingMercury Toxicity MechanismsMutagenic EffectivenessMutagenic MechanismsMutational LoadSuperoxide Dismutase FunctionToxicity Of Mercury Exposure
Acute exposure of KB and Chinese hamster ovary cells (AS52) to low concentrations of mercury (II) results in a dose dependent binding of mercury to DNA. This binding of mercury (II) to the DNA occurs at concentrations of mercury that have little if any effect on glutatione levels or on superoxide dismutase activity. Mutational studies with AS52 cells demonstrated that concentrations (0.1 to 0.4 microM) of mercury (II) which were not cytotoxic caused an increase (1.7 to 3.1) in the frequency of mutations in the gpt gene when compared to non-treated controls. These results suggest that there may be risks associated with exposure to non-cytotoxic levels of mercury (II).