The nature of X-ray and chemically induced mutations in Drosophila in relation with DNA repair (original) (raw)

Annali dell'Istituto superiore di sanita

Abstract

This paper describes the spectrum of mutations induced by alkylating agents and ionizing radiation in Drosophila. Specifically, the genotoxic profile of the alkylating agents is set against their carcinogenic potency. Alkylating agents that react preferentially with N-atoms in the DNA are relatively poor mutagens, especially so in repair-competent (early) germ cells, and likewise weak carcinogens when compared to those that are more efficient in O-alkylation. Genetic techniques combined with molecular analysis of X-ray and neutron induced mutations show that ionizing radiation induces primarily break-type mutations in a repair proficient background. Both multi-locus deletions as well as small intragenic deletions of only a few base-pairs are observed. The small deletions occur between direct repeats of 2-3 nucleotides, one copy of which is retained in the mutant allele. Possibly, these deletions are the result of repair processes. The effect of changes in DNA-repair (excision repair...

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