TRANSGENIC TESTING SYSTEMS FOR MUTAGENS AND CARCINOGENS

摘要

Non-human transgenic animal testing systems for mutagens and carcinogens are described. Recombinant DNA techniques are used to create unique test genes and regulation signals for detecting increased frequencies of mutations produced by mutagens and cancers induced by carcinogens. The test genes are introduced into the germ line of non-human transgenic animals to provide a unique bioassay panel for mutagens and carcinogens. The test genes of the invention may encode any of a number of different genes, the expression of which could be detected in a transgenic animal. However, the test gene is engineered so that the expression of the test gene product is either prevented or inhibited unless the gene is activated by a mutagen or carcinogen.