Concentration‐dependent effects of potassium dichromate on the cell cycle

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Abstract
Hexavalent chromium is found to be a strong mutagen, and it also is a potential carcinogen in man. DNA flow cytometry, growth measurements, and determinations of mitotic index show that 1–2 μM K2Cr2O7 produces a prolongation of the G2 phase of the cell cycle in NHIK 3025 cells. By increasing the chromate concentrations (>2 μM K2Cr2O7) the cells are also arrested in G2 phase. We have found, using synchronized cells and measuring cell cycle time, that the most chromate‐sensitive part of the cell cycle is S phase. This phase is also somewhat prolonged, and the cells became arrested in early S phase at high toxic K2Cr2O7 concentrations (8 μM). Our results thus indicate that K2Cr2O7 has an effect within S phase—maybe on DNA/RNA synthesis—and also interferes with processes necessary for progression through the G2 phase.