Molecular approaches to the study of chemical mutagenesis

The use of shuttle vectors has been applied in recent years to develop a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of mutagenesis in mammalian cells. These recombinant DNA molecules replicate together with the host eukaryotic cells and can be retrieved in bacteria for rapid detection and analysis of mutation. Two approaches based on the use of shuttle vectors for studying the mutagenic effects of DNA lesions induced by alkylating agents are presented.