2-Acetylaminofluorene induces γH2AX foci formation in CHL cells

AIM To investigate whether 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF) can induce γH2AX foci formation, and whether γH2AX can be used as an indicator for detecting DNA damage . METHODS 2-AAF-induced γH2AX foci were detected by immunofluorescent microscopy; neutral comet assay was also employed to detect the DNA double strand breaks (DSBs). RESULTS γH2AX foci were induced by 0.1 ,1, 5 and 20 mg·L -1 of 2-AAF in CHL cells in a time-dependent manner. However, neutral comet assay only revealed DNA damage at 20 mg·L -1 of 2-AAF treatment. In addition, the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PIK) family inhibitor wortmannin inhibited the formation of γH2AX in CHL cells. CONCLUSION 2-AAF induces γH2AX foci formation, and PI3K family members were responsible for the phosphorylation of H2AX. In addition, γH2AX foci formation is more sensitive in detecting DNA damage than neutral comet assay.