Single-strand breaks in DNA of various organs of mice induced by methyl methanesulfonate and dimethylsulfoxide determined by the alkaline unwinding technique.

The method for determination of single-strand breaks (SSB) in DNA by the technique of alkaline unwinding and hydroxylapatite chromatography has been applied for cell nuclei from organs of mice. Male mice were given methyl methane-sulfonate (MMS) and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) by i.p. administration. Cell nuclei were prepared from various organs and then lysed in alkali. The amount of DNA was determined by fluorometry using 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole.2HCl. The relative level of SSB in DNA was determined in various organs (liver, kidney, lung, spleen, testis and brain) 1-24 h after administration of the agent. After MMS-treatment the number of SSB in DNA increased to about the same extent in all organs 1 h post-treatment but then decreased by time. The SSB persisted for the longest time in brain- and lung-DNA. DMSO induced SSB only in DNA of kidney.