Biomaterial Database

The SOS Chromotest, a colorimetric assay based on the primary cellular responses to genotoxic agents. 1988

M Hofnung, and P Quillardet

Unité de Programmation Moléculaire et Toxicologie Génétique, CNRS UA 271-INSERM U.163, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.

The SOS Chromotest is a quantitative bacterial colorimetric assay for genotoxins. Substantial validation is now available. We describe the tester strain as well as results of validation studies. Comparison of the results with those obtained in the Mutatest (the Ames test) showed that most (90 percent) of the mutagenic compounds were also SOS inducers. For these compounds, a quantitative correlation was observed between the mutagenic potency and the SOS-inducing potency (SOSIP). The present data indicate that the SOS Chromotest has many practical advantages and may be used as a primary screening tool or as part of a battery of short-term tests for carcinogens. Theoretical considerations on the relation between the SOSIP and the mutagenic potency are briefly discussed.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009152	Mutagenicity Tests	Tests of chemical substances and physical agents for mutagenic potential. They include microbial, insect, mammalian cell, and whole animal tests.	Genetic Toxicity Tests,Genotoxicity Tests,Mutagen Screening,Tests, Genetic Toxicity,Toxicity Tests, Genetic,Genetic Toxicity Test,Genotoxicity Test,Mutagen Screenings,Mutagenicity Test,Screening, Mutagen,Screenings, Mutagen,Test, Genotoxicity,Tests, Genotoxicity,Toxicity Test, Genetic
D009154	Mutation	Any detectable and heritable change in the genetic material that causes a change in the GENOTYPE and which is transmitted to daughter cells and to succeeding generations.	Mutations
D003124	Colorimetry	Any technique by which an unknown color is evaluated in terms of standard colors. The technique may be visual, photoelectric, or indirect by means of spectrophotometry. It is used in chemistry and physics. (McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 4th ed)
D004249	DNA Damage	Injuries to DNA that introduce deviations from its normal, intact structure and which may, if left unrepaired, result in a MUTATION or a block of DNA REPLICATION. These deviations may be caused by physical or chemical agents and occur by natural or unnatural, introduced circumstances. They include the introduction of illegitimate bases during replication or by deamination or other modification of bases; the loss of a base from the DNA backbone leaving an abasic site; single-strand breaks; double strand breaks; and intrastrand (PYRIMIDINE DIMERS) or interstrand crosslinking. Damage can often be repaired (DNA REPAIR). If the damage is extensive, it can induce APOPTOSIS.	DNA Injury,DNA Lesion,DNA Lesions,Genotoxic Stress,Stress, Genotoxic,Injury, DNA,DNA Injuries
D004260	DNA Repair	The removal of DNA LESIONS and/or restoration of intact DNA strands without BASE PAIR MISMATCHES, intrastrand or interstrand crosslinks, or discontinuities in the DNA sugar-phosphate backbones.	DNA Damage Response
D004269	DNA, Bacterial	Deoxyribonucleic acid that makes up the genetic material of bacteria.	Bacterial DNA
D004305	Dose-Response Relationship, Drug	The relationship between the dose of an administered drug and the response of the organism to the drug.	Dose Response Relationship, Drug,Dose-Response Relationships, Drug,Drug Dose-Response Relationship,Drug Dose-Response Relationships,Relationship, Drug Dose-Response,Relationships, Drug Dose-Response
D001564	Benzo(a)pyrene	A potent mutagen and carcinogen. It is a public health concern because of its possible effects on industrial workers, as an environmental pollutant, an as a component of tobacco smoke.	3,4-Benzopyrene,3,4-Benzpyrene,3,4 Benzopyrene,3,4 Benzpyrene