The detectioon of genotoxin-induced DNA adducts in the common mussel Mytilus edulis

In order to establish the capacity of Mytilus spp. to form genotoxin–DNAadducts, a series of in vitro and in vivo studies were conductedin which tissue samples and animals were exposed to five modelgenotoxins. Following the in vitro characterization of the majoradducts induced by the compounds, a series of in vivo studieswere conducted to determine if the levels of genotoxin–DNAadduct formation followed a dose response. The results of thesestudies suggested that under appropriate conditions, DNA adductsin the hepatopancreas could be used as molecular dosimetersof exposure to genotoxic compounds in the species. However,these studies also revealed that the successful detection ofsuch genotoxin-DNA adducts depends largely upon their chromatographicproperties and thus the vigour of the characterization undertaken. ¹To whom correspondence should be addressed