CENTROMERE DETECTION IN VINBLASTINE-INDUCED AND RADIATION-INDUCED MICRONUCLEI OF CYTOKINESIS-BLOCKED MOUSE CELLS BY USING INSITU HYBRIDIZATION WITH A MOUSE GAMMA (MAJOR) SATELLITE DNA PROBE

Non-isotopic in situ hybridization using a mouse gamma (major) satellite probe DNA was applied to detect centromeres in micronuclei, which were induced in vitro in mouse liver cells by ionizing radiation and by vinblastine sulfate. In a cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus assay a dose-dependent induction of micronuclei was found for both agents. After vinblastine exposure the observed micronuclei showed centromere-positive hybridization signals in an order of magnitude of 70-90%, but after radiation exposure the magnitude was only 10-20%. Since the in situ hybridization technique detects centromeric DNA directly, it can be used in a cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus assay for a rapid and reliable discrimination between aneuploidy-inducing and clastogenic agents.