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Combined Actions and Interactions of Chemicals in Mixtures

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0.6% <strong>of</strong> live births <strong>in</strong> humans. In somatic cells chromosomal mutations may be<br />

<strong>in</strong>volved <strong>in</strong> processes lead<strong>in</strong>g to malignancy. If, for <strong>in</strong>stance, translocations occur<br />

at the site <strong>of</strong> oncogenes their expression can be changed as a consequence <strong>of</strong> their<br />

relocation (M<strong>in</strong>den 1987). Chromosome deletions <strong>and</strong> relocations can also lead to<br />

elim<strong>in</strong>ation <strong>of</strong> tumour suppressor genes, result<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> malignancy.<br />

Figure 7.2.3.1. Most commonly <strong>in</strong>duced chromosomal aberrations <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g one or two<br />

chromosomes.<br />

7.2.3.3 Genome mutations (numerical aberrations)<br />

In diploid cells, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g mammalian <strong>and</strong> human cells, <strong>in</strong>terference with normal<br />

cell division dur<strong>in</strong>g meiosis or mitosis may produce genomic mutations, which are<br />

the result <strong>of</strong> changes <strong>in</strong> the number <strong>of</strong> chromosomes (aneuploidy). These changes<br />

are referred to as “numerical aberrations”. Genomic mutations <strong>in</strong>clude monosomy<br />

where one <strong>of</strong> a pair <strong>of</strong> chromosomes is lost, trisomy where a chromosome is added,<br />

<strong>and</strong> polyploidy where the complete set <strong>of</strong> chromosomes is <strong>in</strong>creased <strong>in</strong> number.<br />

Agents that <strong>in</strong>duce aneuploidy are called “aneugenes”.<br />

Genome mutations <strong>in</strong> germ cells are detrimental to the health <strong>of</strong> the <strong>in</strong>dividual. In<br />

humans, well-known genomic mutations <strong>in</strong>clude trisomies such as Down´s (trisomi<br />

21) <strong>and</strong> Kle<strong>in</strong>felter´s (XXY) syndromes.<br />

In somatic cells aneuploidy can lead to loss <strong>of</strong> heterozygosity <strong>in</strong> e.g. a<br />

tumorsuppressor gene, <strong>and</strong> possibly to development <strong>of</strong> cancer (Liu etal 1997). The<br />

most common cytogenetic aberration <strong>in</strong> breast tumours is aneuploidy (Devilee &<br />

Cornelisse 1994).<br />

7.2.3.4 Recomb<strong>in</strong>ation<br />

Recomb<strong>in</strong>ation can be def<strong>in</strong>ed as exchanges <strong>of</strong> genetic material between<br />

chromosomes. In germ cells high levels <strong>of</strong> recomb<strong>in</strong>ation between homologue<br />

chromosomes occur <strong>and</strong> this is a way to <strong>in</strong>crease the diversity <strong>of</strong> liv<strong>in</strong>g organisms.<br />

However, homologous mitotic recomb<strong>in</strong>ations represent one mechanism by which<br />

heterozygous tumour suppressor genes become lost. The analyses <strong>of</strong> various<br />

neoplastic cell l<strong>in</strong>es have provided strong evidence for this mechanism.<br />

84<br />

STRUCTURAL CHROMOSO MAL ABERRATIO NS INCLUDING ONE SINGLE CHROMOSOME (“INTRACHANGES”)<br />

NORMAL<br />

CHROMATIDE<br />

GAP<br />

CHROMOSOME<br />

GAP<br />

CHROMOSOME<br />

BREAK<br />

IN TERSTITIE LL<br />

DELETION<br />

NORMAL DICENTRIC CHROMOSOME<br />

WITH ACE NTRIC FRAGM ENT<br />

RING<br />

CHROMOSOME<br />

ACENTRIC<br />

RING<br />

STRUCTURAL CHROMOSO MAL ABERRATIO NS INCLUDING TWO CHROMOSOMES (”INTERCHANGES”)<br />

PER IC EN TRIC<br />

IN VER SION<br />

RECIPRO C<br />

TRANS LOCATION

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