Aneugenität

Aneugenicity refers to a type of genotoxicity that results in aneuploidy, which is an abnormal number of chromosomes in a cell. This is distinct from clastogenicity, which causes structural damage to chromosomes. Aneugens are agents that can induce aneuploidy. The mechanisms by which aneugens exert their effects are varied and can include disruption of the mitotic spindle, interference with chromosome segregation, or damage to centromeres and kinetochores.

Aneuploidy can arise during cell division, particularly mitosis. If chromosomes do not separate properly during anaphase, daughter cells can end up with either too many or too few chromosomes. This can lead to significant cellular dysfunction and is often associated with developmental abnormalities and cancer. For instance, trisomy 21, the presence of an extra copy of chromosome 21, causes Down syndrome. In cancer cells, aneuploidy is a very common feature and is thought to contribute to genomic instability, facilitating further mutations and the progression of the disease.

Identifying aneugenic substances is important in toxicology and risk assessment. Chemicals and physical agents can be screened for their potential to induce aneuploidy using various in vitro and in vivo assays. These assays often involve examining cells for chromosomal abnormalities or assessing cell proliferation and survival rates. Understanding the aneugenic potential of a substance is crucial for evaluating its safety for human health and the environment, particularly in contexts such as drug development, chemical safety, and radiation exposure.