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Chromosome aberrations in plants as a monitoring system
Abstract:
The potential of higher plants as a first-tier assay system for detecting chemical mutagens is evaluated. The use of plant tissue (primarily root tips and pollen mother cells) for studying the induction of chromosomal aberrations is one of the oldest, simplest, most reliable, and inexpensive methods available. Specific types of abnormalities have been induced by different classes of pesticides. Chromosome clumping, contraction, stickiness, paling, fragmentation, dissolution, chromosome and chromatid bridges, C-mitosis, and endoploidy have been reported in the literature. Examples of cytogenetic studies with pesticides demonstrating the usefulness of higher plants as a monitoring system are reviewed. Pesticides which cause chromosome aberrations in plant cells also produce chromosome aberrations in cultured animal cells. Frequently, the aberrations are identical. For example, studies have shown that compounds which have a C-mitotic effect on plant cells have the same effect on animal cells. It is recommended that plant systems be accepted as a first-tier assay system for the detection of possible genetic damage by environmental chemicals.
Insights
Higher plants serve as a reliable, cost-effective first-tier assay system for detecting chemical mutagens. Plant cytogenetic studies reveal pesticide-induced chromosomal aberrations, mirroring effects in animal cells, supporting their use in genetic damage detection.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Toxicology
- Plant Cytogenetics
- Mutagenesis Research
Background:
- Higher plants offer a long-established, simple, and reliable method for detecting chemical mutagens.
- Plant tissue, specifically root tips and pollen mother cells, is utilized for studying induced chromosomal aberrations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of higher plants as a primary screening system for chemical mutagens.
- To review cytogenetic studies demonstrating the utility of plants in monitoring environmental chemicals, particularly pesticides.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of chromosomal aberrations induced by various classes of pesticides in plant tissues.
- Review of existing literature on cytogenetic studies involving pesticides and higher plants.
Main Results:
- Pesticides induce specific types of chromosomal abnormalities in plants, including clumping, fragmentation, bridges, and C-mitosis.
- Observed aberrations in plant cells frequently correspond to those found in cultured animal cells.
- Compounds with C-mitotic effects on plant cells show similar effects on animal cells.
Conclusions:
- Higher plant systems are effective and economical for first-tier screening of potential genetic damage from environmental chemicals.
- The concordance of aberration types between plant and animal cells supports the use of plants as reliable indicators.
- Plant-based assays should be integrated as a primary step in evaluating the genotoxicity of environmental chemicals.