ABSTRACT
This chapter describes various techniques for detecting DNA alterations are sufficiently different in approach and/or methodology that a separate discussion of the potential value for evaluating exposure and environmental effects of toxic chemicals is detailed for each. It shows the temporal occurrence of DNA alterations and the anticipated sequence of cellular events that ensues after exposure to toxic chemicals. Detecting and quantifying DNA adducts are not simple tasks because the analytical techniques available are limited in their sensitivity or specificity. The ability to detect and quantitate DNA adducts in organisms exposed to complex mixtures of genotoxic compounds was recently made possible by the development of the P-postlabeling technique. The specificity and sensitivity of antibody-antigen reactions to detect DNA adducts have been exploited in studying DNA alterations. Interaction with DNA is manifested primarily by structural alterations to the DNA molecule and can take the form of adducts, strand breakage, or chemically altered bases.
