Chromosome damage in human cells induced by hydroxylamine

The action of hydroxylamine upon human leukocyte chromosomes has been studied as regards the amount of the different morphological types of damage. Constrictions and gaps predominate, whereas few breaks and very few exchanges are observed. The distribution of the aberrations among the chromosomes is non-random. The observations indicate that the important reaction of HA as regards chromosome damage is with the protein moiety of the chromosome. HA does not induce unscheduled DNA synthesis in human leukocytes or HeLa cells.