Induction of chromosomal aberrations with benzon nuclease in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells.

Benzon nuclease, an endonuclease originating from Serratia marcescens, was tested for its chromosome breaking activity in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Using a permeabilizing method with hypertonic glycerol, benzon nuclease induced chromosomal aberrations in an S-phase independent manner. The frequencies of polycentric chromosomes were correlated with the dose of the enzyme and the intercellular distribution of aberrations was overdispersed.