The detectioon of genotoxin-induced DNA adducts in the common mussel Mytilus edulis

In order to establish the capacity of Mytilus spp. to form genotoxin-DNA adducts, a series of in vitro and in vivo studies were conducted in which tissue samples and animals were exposed to five model genotoxins. Following the in vitro characterization of the major adducts induced by the compounds, a series of in vivo studies were conducted to determine if the levels of genotoxin-DNA adduct formation followed a dose response. The results of these studies suggested that under appropriate conditions, DNA adducts in the hepatopancreas could be used as molecular dosimeters of exposure to genotoxic compounds in the species. However, these studies also revealed that the successful detection of such genotoxin-DNA adducts depends largely upon their chromatographic properties and thus the vigour of the characterization undertaken.