Mutagenic properties of N-nitrosopeptides in mammalian cell culture assays

Two N-nitrosopeptides, N-(N-acetyl-L-prolyl)-N-nitrosoglycine and N-(N-acetylvalyl)-N-nitrosoglycine, were investigated for genetic toxicity towards mammalian cells using an established line of Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO-K1-BH4). Observations were made on three indices of genetic damage, namely chromosome aberrations, sister chromatid exchange and induction of thioguanine-resistant variants. Treatment of cells with either compound resulted in dose-dependent increases in all indices, indicating that both compounds are direct-acting mutagens.