Transformation of Syrian hamster embryo cells by sodium bisulfite

Exposure at neutral pH of Syrian hamster embryo cells (HEC) to non-lethal, non-mutagenic doses of bisulfite, the physiological form of SO2, causes a dose-dependent increase in transformation. When bisulfite is used in combination with UV irradiation, the induction of transformation is not synergistic. These results suggest that bisulfite transformation of HEC may not occur by a mechanism involving mutation.