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Effects of tannic acid on spontaneous and induced somatic mutations in Drosophila melanogaster
1Institut für Biologie, Forschungszentrum Seibersdorf, Austria.
Abstract:
The effects of tannic acid (TA) alone and in combination with direct acting chemical genotoxins and gamma-radiation were investigated in Somatic Mutation and Recombination Tests (SMARTs) using Drosophila melanogaster. Treatment with TA alone (2.5-15 mmol/l) resulted in a moderate but dose dependent induction of mosaic spots in males and females, indicating that the compound possesses mutagenic and recombinogenic activity. When TA (10 mmol/l) was given simultaneously with MMS, 4-NQO and cis-DDP, a potentiating effect on their mutagenicity was observed in males whereas in females no such increase was measured. The frequency of 4-NQO induced mosaic spots in males was raised more than threefold in presence of TA, for MMS and cis-DDP the enhancement was approximately 2-fold; with gamma-radiation no synergistic effect occurred. The different response in the two sexes indicates that TA preferentially induces gene mutations and deletions but has no enhancing effect on the number of mosaic spots which are formed as a consequence of recombinogenic events.
Insights
Tannic acid (TA) shows mutagenic activity, increasing DNA damage in fruit flies. It potentiates chemical genotoxins in males, suggesting sex-specific effects on genetic mutations.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Tannic acid (TA) is a plant-derived polyphenol with potential biological activities.
- Investigating the genotoxic potential of compounds is crucial for risk assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the mutagenic and recombinogenic effects of tannic acid (TA).
- To assess the interaction of TA with known genotoxins and gamma radiation.
Main Methods:
- Somatic Mutation and Recombination Tests (SMARTs) were performed in Drosophila melanogaster.
- Organisms were exposed to varying concentrations of TA alone and in combination with MMS, 4-NQO, cis-DDP, and gamma radiation.
Main Results:
- Tannic acid alone induced a dose-dependent increase in mosaic spots, indicating mutagenic and recombinogenic activity.
- TA potentiated the mutagenicity of MMS, 4-NQO, and cis-DDP in male fruit flies, but not in females.
- No synergistic effect was observed between TA and gamma radiation.
Conclusions:
- Tannic acid exhibits genotoxic properties, primarily inducing gene mutations and deletions.
- The potentiating effect of TA on genotoxins is sex-specific in Drosophila melanogaster.
- TA's interaction with genotoxins suggests a complex role in DNA damage pathways.