Chemically induced aneuploidy: investigations into chromosome specific effects in mitosis

Genotoxicity studies of aneuploidy may potentially produce different results depending upon the chromosome selected for analysis if chromosome-specific sensitivities to chemical exposure exist. Any chromosome specificity characteristics that predispose to aneuploidy might interact with environmental exposures in additional different ways related to the mechanism of aneuploidy induction. Thus, we have undertaken an investigation of chromosome-specific effects using morphologically distinct chromosomes in a hybrid cell line. We were able to identify eight different chromosomes simultaneously by dual colour FISH analysis in controls and in cells exposed to a range of griseofulvin concentrations. Certain chromosomes were more frequently involved in aneuploidy, but no simple relationship between chromosome organisation and sensitivity emerged apart from the over-representation of the alien human chromosome. Aneuploidy was detected at higher frequencies in interphase cells compared with metaphase cells. Overall the data indicate that chemically induced aneuploidy may be detected for a variety of chromosomes and cell types using both interphase and metaphase protocols. However, the data obtained should be used with care in the hazard evaluation of chemical aneugens.