The Effect of magnetic field exposure on mutagenicity in the transgenic R2[lambda]LIZ rat cell line
Date
1997
Authors
Suri, Andrew
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The possibility of a magnetic field (MF) mediated mutagenic effect was examined by detecting mutations in the E.coli lacl gene in a transgenic rat embryo fibroblast cell line, R2ll.IZ. These experiments were motivated by the recently demonstrated MF induced stabilization of free radicals by chemical studies. Herein it is asked whether this phenomenon is detectable, in terms of mutation induction, in a cell culture system. Mutant frequencies were determined from untreated cells and cells exposed to the mutagens menadione, N-methyl-nitrosourea (MNU), or trenimon in the presence or absence of a three milliTesla 60 Hz magnetic field. Two complimentary exposure protocols were conducted; MF exposure following chemical pre-exposure, and MF exposure during chemical exposure. While it was observed that the chemicals are mutagenic (with menadione and trenimon causing a two-fold and MNU a six-fold induction over background), comparison of the mutant frequencies observed between the two experiments suggests that the magnetic field used in this study is neither mutagenic nor co-mutagenic, and therefore evidence for radical stabilization was not found. Mutational spectra for the exposure groups were ascertained, and no significant differences in spectra were found between the field exposed and control groups. Compared to untreated controls, however, it was found that menadione and MNU exposed cells have significantly higher proportions of G:C➔A:T transitions at non CpG sites. Further, a disproportionately high number of G:C➔T:A transversions were recovered from cells exposed to trenimon.