Date on Master's Thesis/Doctoral Dissertation
12-2018
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Degree Name
M.S.
Department
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Degree Program
Pharmacology and Toxicology, MS
Committee Chair
Wise, Sr. John Pierce
Committee Co-Chair (if applicable)
Wise, Sandra S.
Committee Member
Wise, Sandra S.
Committee Member
States, J. Christopher
Committee Member
Beverly, Levi J.
Committee Member
Damodaran, Chendil
Committee Member
Hoyle, Gary
Author's Keywords
chromosome instability; aneuploidy; physeter macrocephalus; balaena mysticetus; zinc chromate
Abstract
Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] is a widespread environmental and occupational carcinogen. The mechanism of carcinogenesis remains poorly understood, but chromosome instability (CIN) is the dominant theory. How numerical CIN arises is unclear, but it correlates with centrosome amplification. Both phenotypes are hallmarks of cancers, early events in carcinogenesis, and have been shown to occur after Cr(VI) exposure to human skin and lung fibroblasts. In this study, we investigate numerical CIN and centrosome amplification in whale cells. Whales are our closest marine relatives, have long lifespans, and are exposed to environmental Cr(VI). Importantly, they have low cancer rates and cell culture studies show they are resistant to Cr(VI) genotoxicity. This study found increasing concentrations and prolonged exposure to zinc chromate produced no increase in aneuploid metaphases or centrosome amplification in interphase or mitotic cells. A concentration-dependent increase in cytotoxicity was measured, but no change in relative survival occurred with prolonged exposure.
Recommended Citation
Toyoda, Jennifer Haruka, "Particulate hexavalent chromium does not induce centrosome amplification in sperm whale and bowhead whale cells." (2018). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 3133.
https://doi.org/10.18297/etd/3133
