Lycopersicon assays of chemical/radiation genotoxicity for the study of environmental mutagens

Genetic and biochemical biomarkers in the macrophyte Bidens laevis L. exposed to a commercial formulation of endosulfan

Previous studies in the wetland macrophyte Bidens laevis L have demonstrated that the insecticide endosulfan induces a high frequency of somatic chromosome aberrations in anaphase-telophase (CAAT) but no DNA changes as determined by the single cell gel electrophoresis (Comet) assay. Thus, cytogenetic biomarkers appear to be more sensitive to the toxic effects of the insecticide than the DNA molecule in the studied species. For this reason, the goals of this study were to use cytogenetic biomarkers--CAAT and abnormal metaphase--and defense biomarkers such as the activity of the antioxidant enzymes--guaiacol peroxidases (POD), glutathione reductase, and microsomal and cytosolic (m- and c-) glutathione-S-transferase (GST)--to evaluate in B. laevis effects caused by a commercial formulation of endosulfan. The frequency of CAAT was increased at 5, 10, 50, and 100 μg/L endosulfan with respect to the negative controls by 3.1, 2.5, 2.5, and 3.2-fold, respectively while the frequency of abnormal metaphases was also increased at the same concentrations by 3.5, 2.8, 3.2, and 11.3-fold, respectively. In addition to these aneugenic effects, other abnormalities such as C-mitosis and chromosome clumping were observed at 10 μg/L endosulfan. On the other hand, POD induction at 0.02, 0.5, 5, and 10 μg/L and m-GST inhibition at 0.5, 10, and 50 μg/L in plants exposed during 24 h to endosulfan were observed but all of these responses were highly variable. In conclusion, only cytogenetic biomarkers like CAAT in B. laevis can serve potentially as early warning systems to detect environmentally relevant concentrations of endosulfan in aquatic ecosystems.

The genotoxic effects of Logran on Hordeum vulgare L. and Triticum aestivum L

In the present study, the cytogenetic effects of the herbicide Logran on root tip cells of Triticurn aestivum L. and Hordeum vulgare L. and changes of total protein content in root tip meristems were studied. The seeds of plants were treated with various concentrations of Logran (125, 250, 500 microg/ml) for 3 and 6 h. The percentages of abnormal cells were seen to increase with increasing treatment period and concentrations. The most dominant types of observed abnormalities were C-mitosis, distributed metaphase and anaphase, stickiness. All the used concentrations of Logran significantly induced a number of chromosomal aberrations in root tip cells of Hordemrn vulgare L. and Triticum aestivum L. Logran also decreased mitotic index. The decrease of protein content in root tips of Triticum aestivum L. is significant at all the treated concentrations and treatment periods when compared with control.

The cytogenetic effects of Avenoxan on Allium cepa and its relation with pollen sterility

In the present study, the cytogenetic effects of the herbicide Avenoxan on meiotic chromosomes of Allium cepa and its relation with pollen sterility were studied. The bulbs with roots of Allium cepa were treated with a series of concentrations (0.1%, 0.2%, 0.4%) for 3, 6, 12 and 24 h. Controls and treated plants were shown to obtain M1 generation. All the used concentrations of the herbicide Avenoxan and exposure periods caused distinct increase in the number of abnormal cells when compared with the control. The type of the abnormalities induced: chromosome stickiness, bridges, laggards, univalents, quadrivalents and micronuclei. Avenoxan also caused pollen sterility. Increase of chromosomal aberrations was accompained by increase in pollen sterility.