The response of Ty1 test to genotoxins.

The Ty1 assay is a short-term test for detection of genotoxins based on induction of the transposition of a gene-engineered Ty1 retrotransposon in Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells. Here, we provide evidence that the Ty1 test responds positively in concentration-dependent manner to the carcinogenic genotoxins benz(a)anthracene, benzo(a)pyrene, chenodeoxycholic and taurodeoxycholic free bile acids and to environmental soil samples polluted with carcinogenic substances. The Ty1 test gives negative results with the noncarcinogenic mutagens benz(b)anthracene, benzo(e)pyrene, lithocholic and taurodeoxycholic conjugated bile acids and to soil samples not polluted with carcinogens.