Detection of genotoxicity of metallic compounds by the bacterial bioluminescence test

Abstract

Twenty metallic compounds were assayed for their genotoxic mutagenic activity by the bioluminescence test restoration of the luminescence of dark mutant of the luminous bacterium Photobacterium fischeri). The activity of the metals was tested in a liquid medium as well as on a solid medium. K2Cr2O7, MnCl2, BeCl2, KH2AsO4, ZnCl2 and Na2WO4 showed strong activity in liquid medium while AgNO3, Cd(OOCCH3)2, CoCl2, CuCl2, HgCl2, Na2SeO3 and Pb(NO3)2 were more active in the solid medium test. BaCl2, Na2MoO4, NaAsO2, NiSO4, Na2SeO4, RbCl, and SnCl2 were not active in the bioluminescence test. The correlation between the genotoxic activity of the tested metallic compounds in the bioluminescence test and other bacterial tests for genotoxic agents as well as the correlation between these results and the carcinogenicity of these compounds is discussed.

Evaluation of the Potential <i>In Vivo</i> Genotoxicity of Tungsten (VI) Oxide Nanopowder for Human Health

“…In accordance with present finding, there are a few reports on genotoxic effects of tungsten compounds in literature. Ulitzur and Barak [14] determined the mutagenic activity of sodium tungstate in Photobacterium fischeri by bacterial bioluminescence test. Tungsten caused mutagenicity in Salmonella typhimurium strain TA98 Ames mixed strains [15].…”

Toxicological profile for arsenic

“…There are several studies that suggest that inorganic arsenic may cause genotoxicity (mainly chromosomal effects) in exposed humans (Burgdorf et al 1977;Nordenson et al 1978), and this is supported by numerous studies in animals (Datta et al 1986;DeKnudt et al 1986;Nagymajtényi et al 1985) and cultured cells (Beckman and Nordenson 1986;Casto et al 1979;DiPaolo and Casto 1979;Lee et al 1985;Nakamuro and Sayato 1981;Nishioka 1975;Oberly et al 1982;Okui and Fujiwara 1986;Sweins 1983;Ulitzur and Barak 1988;Zanzoni and Jung 1980). The mechanism of genotoxicity is not known, but may be due to the ability of arsenite to interfere with DNA repair (Li and Rossman 1989) or to alter apoptosis (Pi et al 2005) or the ability of arsenate to act as a phosphate analog.…”

“…Tables 3-8 and 3-9 summarize a number of reports on the in vitro and in vivo genotoxicity of inorganic arsenicals, respectively. In general, in vitro studies in prokaryotic organisms have been negative for gene mutations (Lantzsch and Gebel 1997;Löfroth and Ames 1978;Nishioka 1975;Rossman et al 1980;Ulitzur and Barak 1988). Studies in human fibroblasts, lymphocytes, and leukocytes, mouse lymphoma cells, Chinese hamster ovary cells, and Syrian hamster embryo cells demonstrate that in vitro arsenic exposure can induce chromosomal aberrations and sister chromatid exchange (see Table 3-8 for citations).…”

Detection of mutagenic pollution of natural environment using microbiological assays

“…1985; Levi et al. 1986; Ulitzur and Barak 1988; Sun and Stahr 1993). Such a restoration occurs upon contact with a mutagen which causes a reversion of the mutation in the region controlling an expression of lux genes.…”