Interaction between cigarette smoke condensate and radiation for the induction of genotoxic effects in yeast

Induction of gene conversion in diploid yeast strains BZ34 and D7 was investigated following exposure to cigarette smoke condensate (CSC) and gamma radiation. Cells treated with CSC for 1 h showed 5-10-fold increase in gene conversion over the background frequency. Log-phase cells were 2-3 times more sensitive compared to stationary-phase cells. Cells exposed to a combination of CSC and radiation suggested an additive response of the 2 agents, irrespective of the order of the 2 treatments.