Cytotoxic and mutagenic effects of sterigmatocystin on cultured Chinese hamster cells

Cytotoxic and mutagenic effects of sterigmatocystin (STC), acarcinogenic mycotoxin, on cultured Chinese hamster cells wereinvestigated in the presence or absence of a metabolic activationsystem. STC directly applied to the cells induced cytotoxicityand drug-resistant mutations in a time- and concentration-dependentmanner. Analyses of the effects of STC showed that treatmentfor shorter periods was more effective than that for longerperiods. In the presence of an activation system, cytotoxicand mutagenic effects of STC were strongly enhanced, and 1%of the microsome fraction was most efficient in inducing theeffects. Analyses by equitoxic comparison showed that therewas little difference in mutagenic activity between the directtreatment and the treatment using an activation system.