The Applicable Use of the HPRT Gene Mutation Assay as a Practical Tool in Mutagenesis and DNA Repair Studies

Abstract

The HPRT gene mutation assay is a notable tool that detects for genotoxic substances and allows for the isolation and screening for inducible mutation types. As with the thymidine kinase (TK) mouse lymphoma assay (MLA), the HPRT gene mutation assay is considered a significant tool as set out in the guidelines for mammalian gene mutation tests [OECD Guideline for the Testing of Chemicals. In Vitro Mammalian Cell Gene Mutation Test: 476]. Since its refinement, the HPRT assay has been widely utilized in mechanistic studies using human knock-out cell lines for DNA repair, providing details of the mode of action (MOA) of the test substance. This chapter provides up-to-date methodology for carrying out the assay in different cell lines in the presence and absence of metabolism with relevant technical information and emerging advances in statistical analysis of data generated from the HPRT gene mutation assay.