DNA damage and repair induced by bleomycin in mammalian and insect cells.

We assessed the response of mosquito (ATC-15) and mammalian (CHO) cells to bleomycin (BLM). Comparison of the data obtained in both cell lines indicates that DNA in the chromatin of mosquito cells is 10 to 20 times more resistant to BLM, and that the DNA damage induced by this antibiotic is better repaired in mosquito than in mammalian cells. Permeability of the cell membrane for BLM was found to be the same for both cell lines. Moreover, the time-kinetics of BLM damage to nuclear DNA was similar for ATC-15 and CHO cells. The low sensitivity of mosquito cells to BLM is reflected in better growth efficiency. These cells exhibit a satisfactory growth at BLM doses that produce a permanent arrest of growth in CHO cells. It is proposed that variations in the chromatin structure and in the intracellular free amino acid pool may play an important role in the differential response of insect and mammalian cells to BLM.