Effect of Aflatoxin on Human Leukocytes

Abstract
Aflatoxin inhibits mitosis and causes breakage and trans-locations in the chromosomes of cultured human leukocytes. The nonrandom pattern of breakage was confined mainly to the largest chromosomes of the human complement. Chromosome no''s. 1 and 2 were particularly affected, while groups E, F, and G exhibited a lower than expected frequency of breaks. The effect of aflatoxin on human leukocytes is of the delayed type which is characteristic of chromosome breaking compounds such as alkylating agents.