It’s a gator tale: Alligator lung cells resist hexavalent chromium-induced DNA repair inhibition and chromosome instability

In this study, we evaluated the cytotoxic, genotoxic, and DNA repair response effects of particulate Cr(VI) in alligator lung cells after acute (24 h) and prolonged (120 h) exposures. These data indicate alligators have evolved protective measures against DNA damage induced by Cr at the cellular or molecular levels, which likely leads to protection against other chemical carcinogens that cause DNA double strand breaks. These findings inform chemical carcinogenesis in humans and support the use of alligators as sentinel species for monitoring the health impacts of Cr(VI) contamination in aquatic environments.