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The influence of solvent stress on MMS-induced genetic change in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
1Institut für Mikrobiologie, Technische Hochschule, Darmstadt, F.R.G.
Abstract:
MMS induced mitotic recombination but not mitotic chromosome loss when tested in pure form in strain D61.M of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, confirming previous results of Albertini (1991), whereas in Aspergillus nidulans it also induced chromosomal malsegregation in addition to mitotic recombination (Käfer, 1988). However, induction of mitotic chromosome loss was observed in combination with strong inducers of chromosome loss such as the aprotic polar solvents ethyl acetate and to a lesser extent methyl ethyl ketone but not with gamma-valerolactone and propionitrile. In addition to this, 4 solvents, dimethyl formamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, dioxane and pyridine, enhanced the MMS-induced mitotic recombination in strain D61.M. An enhancement of MMS-induced mitotic recombination and reverse mutation could be demonstrated for ethyl acetate and gamma-valerolactone in yeast strain D7.
Insights
Methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) induces mitotic recombination in yeast but not chromosome loss alone. However, certain solvents enhance MMS-induced recombination and chromosome loss, depending on the specific solvent and organism.
Area of Science:
- Genetics and Molecular Biology
- Chemical Mutagenesis
- Eukaryotic Cell Biology
Background:
- Methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) is a known mutagen.
- Previous studies show MMS induces mitotic recombination in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
- The effect of MMS on chromosomal stability varies across species.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of MMS on mitotic recombination and chromosome loss in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
- To determine if co-exposure with various solvents modifies MMS-induced genetic alterations.
- To compare the genotoxicity of MMS and solvent combinations in different yeast strains.
Main Methods:
- Testing MMS in pure form in Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain D61.M.
- Assessing MMS genotoxicity in combination with aprotic polar solvents (ethyl acetate, methyl ethyl ketone, gamma-valerolactone, propionitrile).
- Evaluating the impact of solvents (dimethyl formamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, dioxane, pyridine) on MMS-induced mitotic recombination.
- Examining MMS and solvent effects (ethyl acetate, gamma-valerolactone) on mitotic recombination and reverse mutation in yeast strain D7.
Main Results:
- MMS alone induced mitotic recombination but not mitotic chromosome loss in yeast strain D61.M.
- Certain solvents (ethyl acetate, methyl ethyl ketone) induced mitotic chromosome loss in combination with MMS.
- Four solvents (dimethyl formamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, dioxane, pyridine) enhanced MMS-induced mitotic recombination in strain D61.M.
- Ethyl acetate and gamma-valerolactone enhanced MMS-induced mitotic recombination and reverse mutation in yeast strain D7.
Conclusions:
- The genotoxic effects of MMS are modulated by co-exposure to specific solvents.
- Solvent choice influences whether MMS induces mitotic recombination, chromosome loss, or both.
- These findings highlight the importance of considering solvent interactions in genotoxicity assessments.