Micronucleus test

The micronucleus test is a test for Detection of chromosomal damage ( chromosome breakage and clastogenic effect) and damage to the spindle apparatus ( aneugenic effect) in dividing mammalian cells of the living cells (in vivo) or in vitro in cell lines (such B. mouse lymphoma L5178Y, CHO, V79, TK6) or primary cells is performed (e.g., human lymphocytes ). It is designed to detect the genotoxic or mutagenic potential of chemical substances.

Principle

In the micronucleus test in vivo erythroblasts are removed from the bone marrow of mice. During the mitotic process of maturation of the resulting erythrocytes usually the nucleus is completely expelled. By the action of a mutagen but remain surrounded by its own nuclear membrane envelope whole chromosomes or chromosome fragments in the erythrocytes, the " micronuclei " ( micronuclei, Eng. Micronuclei ). By appropriate staining micronuclei appear visually as a small, round particles in the cytoplasm in appearance.