# CHEMICAL CARCINOGENS AND FRAMESHIFT MUTATION IN YEAST

> **NIH NIH R01** · WHITEHEAD INSTITUTE FOR BIOMEDICAL RES · 1987 · $187,546

## Abstract

Frameshift mutagenesis will be studied in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae
using a combined genetic and biochemical approach.  Evidence from many sources
suggests that frameshifts in procaryotes occur in monotonous runs of bases (GGGG
or AAA).  Our evidence suggests that yeast frameshift suppressors suppress the
four base code word GGGG.  We will sequence the mutant glycine tRNA in our
suppressor strains to obtain direct evidence for the molecular change in the
frameshifts.  In addition this sequence work should provide important evidence
on the effect of the non-Mendelian determinant (PSI ion) on glycine tRNA.  The
glycine frameshift suppressors will be mapped by conventional and aneuploid
mapping.  Suppressors of a second class of ICR revertible mutations (which could
be CCCC) will be analyzed biochemically and genetically.  Mutations which
enhance the frequency of these frameshift mutations will be characterized.  Some
of these may affect repair systems and others the permeability of mutagens.

Two new classes of potential frameshifts in yeast will be isolated and
characterized.  We will search for frameshifts among spontaneous polar his4
mutants.  Suppressors of such mutants will be isolated and the tRNAs
characterized by double label experiments.  Experiments are designed to uncover
ICR-170 revertible mitochondrial (MIT minus) mutations in an attempt to
characterize the susceptibility of the mitochondrial genetic system to
frameshift mutagenesis.  Ultimately, these studies could lead to the
construction of a strain capable of detecting frameshift mutations induced by
carcinogens in both the nuclear and the mitochondrial genomes.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3179379
- **Project number:** 5R01CA039961-04
- **Recipient organization:** WHITEHEAD INSTITUTE FOR BIOMEDICAL RES
- **SAM.gov UEI:** C186U32QSBR9
- **Principal Investigator:** GERALD R FINK
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1987
- **Award amount:** $187,546
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1984-07-01 → 1988-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3179379

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3179379, CHEMICAL CARCINOGENS AND FRAMESHIFT MUTATION IN YEAST (5R01CA039961-04). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3179379. Licensed CC0.

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