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Experimental Protocol for Using Drosophila As an Invertebrate Model System for Toxicity Testing in the Laboratory
Published on: July 10, 2018
Testing of chloroquine and quinacrine for mutagenicity in Drosophila melanogaster
Abstract:
To extend the data on the mutagenic effects of intercalating agents in Drosophila melanogaster, chloroquine and quinacrine were tested for the induction of genetic damage in D. melanogaster males. Sex-linked recessive lethals and sex-chromosome loss induction were studied following treatment of adult males using a feeding technique. Our results show that both intercalating compounds increase significantly the frequency of sex-linked recessive lethals, but are unable to induce sex-chromosome loss in male germ cells under the conditions of testing.
Insights
Chloroquine and quinacrine, both intercalating agents, significantly increased sex-linked recessive lethals in Drosophila melanogaster. However, neither compound induced sex-chromosome loss in male germ cells during the study.
Area of Science:
- Genetics and Molecular Biology
- Toxicology and Mutagenesis
Background:
- Intercalating agents are known to interact with DNA, potentially causing mutations.
- Data on the mutagenic effects of specific intercalating agents like chloroquine and quinacrine in Drosophila melanogaster needed further extension.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mutagenic potential of chloroquine and quinacrine in Drosophila melanogaster.
- To assess the induction of genetic damage, specifically sex-linked recessive lethals and sex-chromosome loss, by these intercalating agents.
Main Methods:
- Adult male Drosophila melanogaster were treated with chloroquine and quinacrine via a feeding technique.
- The frequency of sex-linked recessive lethals was quantified.
- The induction of sex-chromosome loss was assessed.
Main Results:
- Both chloroquine and quinacrine significantly increased the frequency of sex-linked recessive lethals.
- Neither compound demonstrated the ability to induce sex-chromosome loss in male germ cells under the tested conditions.
Conclusions:
- Chloroquine and quinacrine exhibit mutagenic activity by inducing sex-linked recessive lethals in Drosophila melanogaster.
- These intercalating agents do not appear to cause sex-chromosome loss in male germ cells of this model organism.
