Mutageen

Mutageen, commonly referred to as a mutagen in English, is an agent that increases the frequency of genetic mutations in DNA. Mutageen can be physical, chemical, or biological in origin and may act directly on DNA or indirectly by interfering with replication and repair processes.

Mutageen operates through several mechanisms. It can form DNA adducts, cause cross-links, induce strand breaks, or mislead DNA polymerases during replication. The result is a range of genetic alterations, including base substitutions, insertions, deletions, or chromosomal rearrangements. The extent of mutagenic effect depends on dose, exposure duration, and the cell’s DNA repair capacity.

Common sources of mutageen include endogenous processes and external exposures. Endogenous mutageen arise from normal metabolism, such as reactive oxygen species. Exogenous mutageen include ultraviolet and ionizing radiation, tobacco smoke, certain industrial chemicals, aflatoxins, and compounds formed during grilling or processing of foods (for example heterocyclic amines). Environmental pollutants and some pharmaceuticals can also exhibit mutagenic activity.

Health relevance and regulation are linked to cancer risk, since many mutageen are also carcinogens. However, not all mutageen cause cancer directly, and risk depends on exposure level, duration, and individual susceptibility. Assessment typically uses mutagenicity tests such as the bacterial Ames test and in vitro and in vivo assays to screen chemicals and guide safety standards. Understanding mutageen helps inform public health measures, occupational safety, and regulatory decisions.