Somatic mutation and recombination test in Drosophila melanogaster

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1984 · Environ. Mutagen.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/em.2860060206· OSTI ID:6656799

Graf, U; Wuergler, F E; Katz, A J; Frei, H; Juon, H; Hall, C B; Kale, P G

A novel test system for the detection of mutagenic and recombinogenic activity of chemicals is described in detail. Drosophila melanogaster larvae trans-heterozygous for the mutations multiple wing hairs (mwh) and flare (flr) are exposed to the test compounds for various periods of time ranging from 96 hr to 1 hr. Induced mutations are detected as single mosaic spots on the wing blade of surviving adults that show either the multiple wing hairs or flare phenotype. Induced recombination leads to mwh and flr twin spots and also to a certain extent, to mwh single spots. Recording of the frequency and the size of the different spots allows for a quantitative determination of the mutagenic and recombinogenic effects. This and earlier studies with a small set of well-known mutagens indicate that the test detects monofunctional and polyfunctional alkylating agents (ethyl methanesulfonate, diepoxybutane, mitomycin C, Trenimon), mutagens forming large adducts (aflatoxin B/sub 1/), DNA breaking agents (bleomycin), intercalating agents (5-aminoacridine, ICR-170), spindle poisons (vinblastine), and antimetabolites (methotrexate). In addition, the test detects mutagens unstable in aqueous solution (..beta..-propiolactone), gaseous mutagens (1,2-dibromoethane), as well as promutagens needing various pathways of metabolic activation (aflatoxin B/sub 1/, diethylnitrosamine, dimethylnitrosamine, mitomycin C, and procarbazine). The rapidity and ease of performance as well as the low costs of the test necessitate a high priority for validation of this promising Drosophila short-term test.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Zurich, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
• OSTI ID: 6656799
• Journal Information: Environ. Mutagen.; (United States), Vol. 6:2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ACRIDINES
MUTAGEN SCREENING
BROMINATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
DROSOPHILA
GENE RECOMBINATION
MUTATIONS
METHYL METHANESULFONATE
NITROSAMINES
EVALUATION
PERFORMANCE
AMINES
ANIMALS
AROMATICS
ARTHROPODS
AZAARENES
AZINES
DIPTERA
ESTERS
FLIES
FRUIT FLIES
HALOGENATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
INSECTS
INVERTEBRATES
MUTAGENS
NITROSO COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC BROMINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC SULFUR COMPOUNDS
PYRIDINES
SCREENING
SULFONIC ACID ESTERS
560302* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Microorganisms- (-1987)