Mei-q/sup a/ test for chromosome loss in Drosophila: a review of assays of 21 chemicals for chromosome breakage

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1983 · Environ. Manage.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5009818

Zimmering, S

In Drosophila, detection of chemical induced chromosome breakage for many compounds in conventional chromosome loss or reciprocal translocation (RT) tests requires considerably higher concentrations than for sex-linked recessive lethals, or fails entirely even at concentrations giving substantial to high rates of recessive lethals. Accordingly, relatively high LDs may be necessary before evidence of chromosome breakage is observed raising questions of ''false positives'' resulting, for example, from aberrant metabolic effects/products not found at lower concentrations. Accordingly, efforts in this laboratory have been directed toward improvements in the sensitivity of the test for chromosome loss. Major advances have been made by using excision repair deficient mei-9/sup a/ females as P1 females to which treated males are mated. Of the 21 compounds tested, 17 are classified as carcinogens and four are unknown in this regard. At the concentration reported, 21/21 compounds were positive for CL + PL and 21/21 for PL in the mei-9/sup a/ test. At the same concentration, only 10/20 compounds were positive for CL and PL and 2/21 compounds for PL with repair proficient females; the mei-9/sup a/ test is clearly more sensitive than the conventional test for chromosome breakage. Data were compared with results from RT tests primarily from the work of others where the concentration was no lower or the duration of treatment less than that in the mei-9/sup a/ experiments. 14/21 compounds were judged positive and seven negative in the RT test; four of the negatives are classified as carcinogens. Most positives required sperm storage.

• Research Organization: Brown Univ., Providence, RI
• OSTI ID: 5009818
• Journal Information: Environ. Manage.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Manage.; (United States) Vol. 5:6; ISSN EMNGD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550400 -- Genetics
560304* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Invertebrates-- (-1987)
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ALKYLATING AGENTS
AMINES
ANIMALS
ARTHROPODS
BIOASSAY
CARBONIC ACID DERIVATIVES
CARCINOGEN SCREENING
CHROMOSOMAL ABERRATIONS
CHROMOSOME BREAKAGE
CHROMOSOME LOSSES
DIPTERA
DROSOPHILA
DRUGS
EMS
ENDOXAN
ESTERS
EVALUATION
FLIES
FRUIT FLIES
IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE DRUGS
INSECTS
INVERTEBRATES
LOSSES
METHYL NITROSOUREA
MUTAGEN SCREENING
MUTAGENS
MUTATIONS
NITROGEN MUSTARD
NITROSAMINES
NITROSO COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SCREENING
SULFONIC ACID ESTERS