Mutagenicity (Ames): a structure-activity model.

A statistical structure-activity model of the Salmonella typhimurium (Ames) test has been devised based on 472 chemicals for which this endpoint has been measured. The model uses substructural fragments as the independent parameters to explain the difference in mutagenicity of the different chemicals. The model is able to classify 86% of the chemicals into their correct categories; the false-positive rate is 4.7%, and the false-negative rate 5.3%. Approximately 10% of the chemicals cannot be classified by the existing equation. This structure-activity model can be used as a preliminary screen prior to other testing as well as for setting priorities for more detailed investigations.