[Environmentally-induced causes of aging-dependent DNA modifications and possible consequences: current methods for...

The deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is subject of a series of modifications with time, which are connected with the development of cancer and the process of aging. However, an efficient and nearly perfect repair system works against them, which eliminates most but not all of these changes. A series of tests has been developed for assessment of genotoxic potential of compounds and mixed pollution of environment. Three fast assay systems (umu test, DIT test, and Visko test) are discussed, whose results are obtained more quickly than by using conventional methods (e.g., Ames test or sister chromatid exchange).