The effect of sulfhydryl compounds on sister-chromatid exchanges.

We examined the SH compounds glutathione (GSH), cysteine (CYS), cysteamine (MEA) and 2-mercaptoethanol (MET) with regard to their capacity for inducing SCEs. Whereas cysteamine and 2-mercaptoethanol increased the SCE frequency, this did not happen with glutathione and cysteine. By a comparative analysis of oxidized forms and structurally analogous compounds, it was confirmed that the induction of SCEs has no connection with the reducing property of the SH compounds. These findings are discussed in terms of other cytogenetic effects produced by SH compounds and the possible causes responsible for the induction of SCEs by SH compounds.