Characterization of TCHQ-induced genotoxicity and mutagenesis using the pSP189 shuttle vector in mammalian cells

► TCHQ-induced mutation spectrum in A549 was examined using pSP189 shuttle vector. ► 85.36% of TCHQ-induced mutations are single base substitutions. ► More than 80% of the base substitutions occurred at G:C base pairs. ► TCHQ induces specific GC to CG and GC to AT transversions. ► TCHQ-induced mutations appear to be sequence specific.