Improved high bioactivation cross for the wing somatic mutation and recombination test in Drosophila melanogaster

The two tester strains of the high bioactivation (HB) cross for the wing somatic mutation and recombination test (SMART) in Drosophila melanogaster developed by Frölich and Würgler possess high metabolic capacity to activate promutagens. These strains contain chromosomes 1 and 2 of the DDT-resistant stock Oregon R(R) which exhibits a high constitutive level of cytochrome P450. However, they show several disadvantages for routine application, such as disturbed wing hair patterns in certain areas of the wing, making spot classification difficult, and a delay in development of the larvae. We have established and evaluated an improved HB cross (ORR; flr3 females and mwh males) producing ORR heterozygous individuals. These develop normally and have a normal, undisturbed wing hair pattern while exhibiting high bioactivation. The hybrid larvae of the improved HB cross show P450-dependent bioactivation capacity equal to or even slightly higher than those of the original HB cross. This was demonstrated by measuring the genotoxic activity of the promutagens diethylnitrosamine, 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene, N-nitrosopyrrolidine, and urethane. In addition, the improved HB cross has a sensitivity to the direct-acting alkylating agent ethyl nitrosourea equal to that of the standard cross. The main advantage of the improved HB cross is to combine the high bioactivation capacity with the ease of scoring the wings using the same criteria as for the standard cross.