Established cell lines from nonmammalian vertebrates: models for DNA repair studies.

Several established cell lines from different classes of vertebrates were assayed for the presence of O6-methylguanine acceptor protein. This protein is instrumental in removing adducts from DNA caused by exposure to alkylating agents. Cultured cells had levels of acceptor protein activity within the range found in fresh tissues from animals in the same class. We suggest that cells from lower vertebrates are satisfactory in vitro models for studies of this DNA repair function.