Abstract: BACKGROUND ＆ AIM: To provide a basis in tk gene mutation and DNA damage and repair capacity research in WTK1 cells in toxicology field. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The tk site mutation frequency and DNA damage as well as repair capacity were detected after WTK1 cells treated by MMS and H2O2 respectively. RESULTS: MMS induced tk site mutation, the mutation colonies mainly were slow growth mutants (SG－mutant) that was chromosome aberration in aberration category. H2O2 could induce DNA damage in WTK1 cells and showed dose-response relationship. The quantity and the tail－length of Comet cells decrease significantly with incubation time . CONCLUSION: WTK1 cells could be a useful biology material used for testing tk gene mutation, DNA damage and repair capacity induced by chemicals.

Key words: WTK1 cells, tk site, mutation, DNA damage, DNA repair capacity