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K Mortelmans

Publications and source records attributed to K Mortelmans.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

The Ames Salmonella/microsome mutagenicity assay.

The Ames Salmonella/microsome mutagenicity assay (Salmonella test; Ames test) is a short-term bacterial reverse mutation assay specifically designed to detect a wide range of chemical substances that can produce genetic damage that leads to gene mutations. The test employs several histidine dependent Salmonella strains each carrying different mutations in various genes in the histidine operon. These mutations act as hot spots for mutagens that cause DNA damage via different mechanisms. When the Salmonella tester strains are grown on a minimal media agar plate containing a trace of histidine, only those bacteria that revert to histidine independence (his(+)) are able to form colonies. The number of spontaneously induced revertant colonies per plate is relatively constant. However, when a mutagen is added to the plate, the number of revertant colonies per plate is increased, usually in a dose-related manner. The Ames test is used world-wide as an initial screen to determine the mutagenic potential of new chemicals and drugs. The test is also used for submission of data to regulatory agencies for registration or acceptance of many chemicals, including drugs and biocides. International guidelines have been developed for use by corporations and testing laboratories to ensure uniformity of testing procedures. This review provides historical aspects of how the Ames was developed and detailed procedures for performing the test, including the design and interpretation of results.

Histidine↗
PubMed2000

The bacterial tryptophan reverse mutation assay with Escherichia coli WP2.

The Escherichia coli WP2 tryptophan reverse mutation assay detects trp(-) to trp(+) reversion at a site blocking a step in the biosynthesis of tryptophan prior to the formation of anthranilic acid. The different WP2 strains all carry the same AT base pair at the critical mutation site within the trpE gene. The assay is currently used by many laboratories in conjunction with the Ames Salmonella assay for screening chemicals for mutagenic activity. In general the WP2 strains are used as a substitute for, or as an addition to Salmonella strain TA102 which also carries an AT base pair at the mutation site. The assay is also recommended together with the Ames assay for data submission to regulatory agencies. National and international guidelines have been established for performing these mutagenicity assays. The E. coli WP2 assay procedures are the same as those described elsewhere in this volume for the Ames Salmonella assay (Mortelmans and Zeiger, 2000) with the exception that limited tryptophan instead of limited histidine is used. This chapter is an addendum to the previous chapter and the reader should refer to the previous chapter for details regarding experimental procedures and assay design.

Escherichia coli↗
PubMed1997

Genetic toxicity studies of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine (tacrine).

The mutagenicity and clastogenicity of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine (tacrine) were studied in vitro using the Salmonella mutagenicity test and the induction of chromosome aberrations in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, and in the mouse bone marrow micronucleus test in vivo. This chemical is currently being used to treat dementia arising from Alzheimer's Disease. Tacrine was mutagenic in Salmonella but did not produce chromosome damage in CHO cells or in mouse bone marrow cells. A clear mutagenic response was seen in strain TA97 with rat and hamster liver S9; inconsistent results were obtained without S9. No mutagenicity was seen in strains TA98 and TA100 without S9, and inconsistent results were seen with S9. There was no induction of chromosome aberrations in cultured CHO cells with or without S9. Oral administration to mice of tacrine daily for three days did not result in the induction of micronuclei in their bone marrow cells. The mutagenic response in Salmonella, and the structure of the molecule, suggests that tacrine may be carcinogenic when tested in rodents. This information must be considered when preparing benefit-risk determinations for medical uses of this substance.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Salmonella mutagenicity tests: V. Results from the testing of 311 chemicals.

311 chemicals were tested under code, for mutagenicity, in Salmonella typhimurium; 35 of the chemicals were tested more than once in the same or different laboratories. The tests were conducted using a preincubation protocol in the absence of exogenous metabolic activation, and in the presence of liver S-9 from Aroclor-induced male Sprague-Dawley rats and Syrian hamsters. Some of the volatile chemicals were also tested in desiccators. A total of 120 chemicals were mutagenic or weakly mutagenic, 3 were judged questionable, and 172 were non-mutagenic. The remaining 16 chemicals produced different responses in the two or three laboratories in which they were tested. The results and data from these tests are presented.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Evidence that inhibitor(s) are formed which may interfere with the growth of revertant colonies in the Ames Salmonella and the E. coli tryptophan reverse mutation assays when strictly anaerobic conditions are used.

Spontaneous and chemically induced revertant colonies were not observed on plates when a strictly anaerobic environment and anaerobically prepared media were used to perform the Ames histidine reversion assay with each of eight different Salmonella strains. A similar effect was observed when the E. coli tryptophan reverse mutation assay was performed under strictly anaerobic conditions. We provide evidence here that under anaerobic conditions growth inhibitor(s) are formed by the S. typhimurium and E. coli bacteria when the limited histidine and tryptophan, respectively, are depleted from the medium. The inhibitor(s) are nonspecific and inhibit the growth not only of prototrophic bacteria but also of the inhibitor-producing bacteria as measured by neutralized supernatants of growth-limiting minimal liquid cultures. Inhibitor(s) are also formed in stationary phase cultures of Salmonella and E. coli in minimal liquid medium supplemented with excess histidine and tryptophan, respectively. These results suggest that inhibitor formation under anaerobic conditions is a physiological phenomenon which interferes with at least two reverse mutation assays. Whether or not it also interferes with the reverse mutagenesis process remains to be determined.

Anaerobiosis↗
PubMed1988

Salmonella mutagenicity tests: IV. Results from the testing of 300 chemicals.

Three hundred chemicals were tested for mutagenicity, under code, in Salmonella typhimurium, using a preincubation protocol. All tests were performed in the absence of exogenous metabolic activation, and in the presence of liver S-9 from Aroclor-induced male Sprague-Dawley rats and Syrian hamsters. The results and data from these tests are presented.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Comparative mutagenicity of halogenated pyridines in the Salmonella typhimurium/mammalian microsome test.

The Salmonella/microsome assay with strains TA97, TA98, TA100 and TA102 was used to examine the potential mutagenicity and structure-activity of 16 mono- and di-halogenated pyridines. The chemical reactivity of the halopyridines suggests that nucleophilic displacement of halogens can occur with halogens at positions 2, 4 and 6 being displaced in addition-elimination reactions. 2-Chloropyridine gave a positive result with rat-liver metabolic activation, and 2-fluoropyridine gave equivocal results under these conditions. Mutagenic responses were also obtained with 2-chloromethyl pyridine and 3-chloromethyl pyridine, in both the presence and absence of rat-liver S9. These results suggest that the halogenated pyridines, especially with halogens at the 2-position, and singly on a methyl substituent, have mutagenic activity in the Salmonella assay.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Guide for the Salmonella typhimurium/mammalian microsome tests for bacterial mutagenicity.

Since its development by Dr. Bruce Ames and his coworkers, the Salmonella typhimurium/mammalian microsome mutagenicity assay has been used widely throughout the world. Many authors have suggested various modifications and made recommendations in regards to this assay. Although the recommendations of a panel of experts was published in 1979 by de Serres and Shelby, a committee of members of the Environmental Mutagen Society (EMS) initiated this effort in response to the encouragement by the American Society of Testing and Materials (Committee E47.09.01) and because of new developments within the field of microbial mutagenesis testing. Its purpose is to provide a guide for people who perform or evaluate microbial mutagenesis tests, but it is not intended for these recommendations to replace or diminish the usefulness of presently available protocols and procedures.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Salmonella mutagenicity tests: III. Results from the testing of 255 chemicals.

The results and data from the testing of 255 chemicals for mutagenicity in Salmonella are presented. All chemicals were tested under code using a preincubation modification of the Salmonella/microsome test in the absence of exogenous metabolic activation and in the presence of liver S-9 from Aroclor-induced male Sprague-Dawley rats and Syrian hamsters.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

The Salmonella typhimurium/mammalian microsomal assay. A report of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Gene-Tox Program.

The Salmonella assay has been in use for almost 15 years and can be defined as a routine test for mutagenicity and for predicting potential carcinogenicity. It detects the majority of animal carcinogens and consequently plays an important role in safety assessment. The test is also routinely used as the frontline screen for environmental samples (complex mixtures) isolated from air, water and food. This role will continue to remain an area of growth as or because sample volumes associated with these testing areas are generally very limited and more extensive testing is generally impossible. While this test, like all others, has some limitations, it is recommended that it be regularly included in all genetic testing batteries.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Comparative mutagenicity of aliphatic epoxides in Salmonella.

37 aliphatic epoxides comprising 6 subclasses (unsubstituted aliphatic epoxides, halogenated aliphatic epoxides, glycidyl esters, glycidates, glycidyl ethers and diglycidyl ethers) were tested, under code, for mutagenicity in Salmonella strains TA98, TA100, TA1535 and TA1537 and/or TA97 with and without metabolic activation using a standardized protocol. The 4 halogenated aliphatic epoxides and the 4 diglycidyl ethers were all mutagenic. The 2 glycidates were negative in all strain/activation systems used while all 5 glycidyl esters were mutagenic. 3 of the 8 unsubstituted aliphatic epoxides and 11 of the 12 glycidyl ethers were mutagenic. Glycidol also was mutagenic whereas 9,10-epoxyoctadecanoic acid, 2-ethylhexyl ester was not mutagenic. Of the 28 mutagenic compounds, all but neodecanoic acid, 2,3-epoxypropyl ester and 2-ethylhexyl glycidyl ether were detected in TA100 without activation. The latter two were detected only with activation in TA100 and TA1535. The majority of the other 26 chemicals were also mutagenic in TA1535 without activation. Good intra- and interlaboratory reproducibility was seen in the results of each of the 4 chemicals tested in more than one set of experiments. The current results confirm and extend the observations of other investigators regarding structural effects on the mutagenicity of members of the aliphatic epoxide class of chemicals.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Salmonella mutagenicity tests: II. Results from the testing of 270 chemicals.

This publication includes data of Salmonella mutagenicity results on 270 coded chemicals, encompassing 329 tests performed by three laboratories under contract to the National Toxicology Program (NTP). The preincubation modification of the Salmonella/mammalian microsome assay was used to test chemicals in up to five Salmonella strains in the presence and absence of rat and hamster liver S-9. With a few exceptions, inter- and intralaboratory reproducibility was good.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Mutagenicity testing of di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate and related chemicals in Salmonella.

Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate and 33 other phthalates, ethylhexanol derivatives, and related chemicals were tested for mutagenicity in Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98, TA100, TA1535, and TA1537 without metabolic activation and in the presence of rat and hamster liver S-9 metabolic activation systems. No mutagenic activity was seen with any of the chemicals tested.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Reproducibility of microbial mutagenicity assays: II. Testing of carcinogens and noncarcinogens in Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli.

A total of 63 chemicals were tested for mutagenicity in Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98, TA100, TA1535, TA1537, and TA1538, and Escherichia coli WP2 uvrA in a four-laboratory study. Sixty of the chemicals had been tested for carcinogenicity by the National Cancer Institute or the National Toxicology Program. All chemicals were tested for mutagenicity without metabolic activation and with liver S-9 preparations from uninduced and Aroclor 1254-induced F344 rats, B6C3F1 mice, and Syrian hamsters. The intra- and interlaboratory reproducibility of the Salmonella assay with regard to the overall judgment of mutagenic or nonmutagenic was good. The results in the E coli strain, however, exhibited a high degree of variability between laboratories. With one or two exceptions, the mutagens were detected with S-9 preparations from all three species. The uninduced liver S-9 preparations did not activate any chemicals to mutagens that were not also activated by induced S-9, but some chemicals were detected as mutagens only when induced S-9 was used. A positive mutagenic response in Salmonella was predictive of carcinogenicity 69% of the time; when equivocal carcinogens and borderline mutagens were included, the predictivity increased to 83%. Conversely, 76% of the carcinogens were mutagens. When the equivocal carcinogens were included, the proportion dropped to 75%. Relatively few chemicals (18%) were mutagenic in E coli. Not all the carcinogens induced tumors in both rats and mice, and the species-specific carcinogenicity could not be predicted from the S-9-specific mutagenicity.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Mutagenicity testing of agent orange components and related chemicals.

Components of the herbicide Agent Orange--2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,-D) and 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T) and their esters, and the contaminant 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)--and related chemicals were tested for mutagenicity using Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98, TA100, TA1535, and TA1537. No mutagenic activity was observed for any of the chemicals tested.

2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxyacetic Acid↗
PubMed1982

Development of a toxicity test to be coupled to the Ames Salmonella assay and the method of constriction of the required strains.

A 'toxicity' test protocol is described here to be used for determining the bactericidal effect of the chemicals which are tested for their mutagenic activity by the Ames method. Two sets of strains, isogenic with the Ames tester strains except for their his character, are constructed. One set is the his+ derivatives of the tester strains which are used for measuring the survival of the inoculum cells after exposure to the chemical. The other set is the stable his- derivatives of the tester strains which are used for simulating the background growth in the Ames mutagenicity plate test. The per cent survival of the his+ cells in the inoculum in the presence of the 'filler cells' is used as a measure of the toxic effect of the chemical.

Genotype↗