Genotoxicity
The genetic material of an organism, composed of DNA and genes, contains the genetic information that determines heritable characteristics (e.g., sex, coloration, body size) and regulates biological functions. Genes are organized into functional units that are assembled into chromosomes within cells. Accurate replication of this genetic material during cell division is critical for maintaining genomic integrity.
Certain chemical substances can interact with DNA and disrupt normal gene function, potentially leading to pathological conditions such as cancer. If such damage occurs in germ cells, it may result in heritable defects or congenital malformations in subsequent generations. The term genotoxicity refers to interactions that induce alterations (mutations) in the genetic material of a cell.
Three major endpoints of genotoxicity are associated with human disease:
· Gene mutations – point alterations in the nucleotide sequence
· Structural chromosomal alterations – large deletions or rearrangements within chromosomes
· Numeric chromosomal alterations –changes in chromosome number within a cell
Safety assessment of chemical substances involves a battery of test systems designed to evaluate the potential of a substance to induce genotoxic effects. For more information, see: Methacrylates and Genotoxicity Technical Summary
For more information, see the following: