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Mutagenic and recombinogenic action of pesticides in Aspergillus nidulans
Abstract:
Thirteen pesticides, aminotriazole, benomyl, captafol, captan, dalapon-Na, dichlorvos, dinobuton, dodine, ioxynil, mecoprop, neburon, picloram and tordon were tested for ability to induce (1) point mutations to 8-azaguanine resistance, (2) mitotic crossing-over, and (3) mitotic non-disjunction and haploidization in Aspergillus nidulans. Tests were performed at three different pHs, i.e. 4.5, 7, 8.2. Three of the pesticides, captan , captafol and dichlorvos induced point mutations; dichlorvos also induced a high frequency of mitotic crossing-over and non-disjunction; benomyl induced a very high frequency of non-disjunction whereas aminotriazole induced weakly both types of somatic segregation.
Insights
This study investigated thirteen pesticides for their ability to cause genetic mutations in Aspergillus nidulans. Captan, captafol, and dichlorvos induced point mutations, while dichlorvos and benomyl also caused chromosomal abnormalities.
Area of Science:
- Genetics and Toxicology
- Microbial Mutagenesis
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Pesticides are widely used, raising concerns about their potential genotoxicity.
- Understanding the mutagenic and clastogenic effects of pesticides is crucial for risk assessment.
- Aspergillus nidulans is a well-established model organism for studying genotoxicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the mutagenic and clastogenic potential of thirteen different pesticides.
- To assess the induction of point mutations, mitotic crossing-over, and mitotic non-disjunction/haploidization.
- To investigate the influence of pH on the genotoxic effects of these pesticides.
Main Methods:
- Thirteen pesticides were tested using Aspergillus nidulans as the test organism.
- Assays included induction of 8-azaguanine resistance (point mutations), mitotic crossing-over, and mitotic non-disjunction/haploidization.
- Experiments were conducted at three different pH levels (4.5, 7, and 8.2).
Main Results:
- Captan, captafol, and dichlorvos were found to induce point mutations.
- Dichlorvos demonstrated a high frequency of inducing mitotic crossing-over and non-disjunction.
- Benomyl induced a very high frequency of non-disjunction, and aminotriazole weakly induced both types of somatic segregation.
Conclusions:
- Several tested pesticides, including captan, captafol, and dichlorvos, exhibit mutagenic properties.
- Dichlorvos and benomyl show significant clastogenic activity, inducing chromosomal abnormalities.
- The study highlights the genotoxic potential of certain pesticides and the utility of Aspergillus nidulans in such assessments.