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Abstract

A simple test for measuring cytotoxic agents has been developed using the flagellate phenotype of Tetramitus rostratus. The test measures dose-dependent inhibition of cell division by individual agents such as 4-nitroquinoline-N-oxide and other mutagens. Dose-response data are given also for mixtures including coal tar pitch condensate, centrifuged particles obtained from tap water, and water concentrates prepared with XAD-2 resin.

Because Tetramitus flagellates have a gullet and are particle-feeders, the assay allows for cytotoxic measurements of whole particles without prior extraction or solvent substitution procedures. The cytotoxic activities observed may reflect genotoxic activity, since all chemicals that produced a positive response are genotoxic in other test systems.

Keywords

CTP coal tar pitch condensate ETL Environmental Toxicology Laboratory kb kilobase MLEQ milliliter equivalents rDNA ribosomal DNA.

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Rapid Assay of Cytotoxicity Using Tetramitus Flagellates

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