Biomaterial Database

Induction of micronuclei in maize root-tip cells and a correlation with forward mutation at the yg2 locus. 1985

E D Wagner, and M J Plewa

A standard protocol for a micronucleus assay in root tips of Zea mays was developed and calibrated using 137Cs gamma radiation, ethylmethanesulfonate (EMS), and N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU). The root tips were sampled 1, 3, and 5 days after the treatment period. Primary root tips (sampled 1 day after treatment) were the most responsive with the highest frequencies of micronuclei. The frequencies then decreased to control values after 3 days. By treating the same kernels for this assay and the yellow-green-2 (yg2) forward mutation assay, it was possible to analyze and compare the induction kinetics of micronuclei formation in root-tip cells and forward mutation at the yg2 locus in leaf primordial cells. Forward mutation at the yg2 locus by gamma rays, EMS, or ENU exhibited one hit kinetics. The induction of micronuclei demonstrated nonlinear kinetics with a significant increase over controls above 200 rads gamma rays, 10 mM EMS, or 250 microM ENU. ENU induced a higher frequency of micronuclei at all treatment concentrations than did gamma radiation or EMS. The data suggest that a higher relative proportion of yg2 mutant sectors induced by ENU may be due to chromosome aberrations than those induced by gamma radiation or EMS.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009152	Mutagenicity Tests	Tests of chemical substances and physical agents for mutagenic potential. They include microbial, insect, mammalian cell, and whole animal tests.	Genetic Toxicity Tests,Genotoxicity Tests,Mutagen Screening,Tests, Genetic Toxicity,Toxicity Tests, Genetic,Genetic Toxicity Test,Genotoxicity Test,Mutagen Screenings,Mutagenicity Test,Screening, Mutagen,Screenings, Mutagen,Test, Genotoxicity,Tests, Genotoxicity,Toxicity Test, Genetic
D009154	Mutation	Any detectable and heritable change in the genetic material that causes a change in the GENOTYPE and which is transmitted to daughter cells and to succeeding generations.	Mutations
D002467	Cell Nucleus	Within a eukaryotic cell, a membrane-limited body which contains chromosomes and one or more nucleoli (CELL NUCLEOLUS). The nuclear membrane consists of a double unit-type membrane which is perforated by a number of pores; the outermost membrane is continuous with the ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM. A cell may contain more than one nucleus. (From Singleton & Sainsbury, Dictionary of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, 2d ed)	Cell Nuclei,Nuclei, Cell,Nucleus, Cell
D003313	Zea mays	A plant species of the family POACEAE. It is a tall grass grown for its EDIBLE GRAIN, corn, used as food and animal FODDER.	Corn,Indian Corn,Maize,Teosinte,Zea,Corn, Indian
D005020	Ethyl Methanesulfonate	An antineoplastic agent with alkylating properties. It also acts as a mutagen by damaging DNA and is used experimentally for that effect.	Ethylmethane Sulfonate,Ethyl Mesilate,Ethyl Mesylate,Ethylmesilate,Ethylmesylate,Mesilate, Ethyl,Mesylate, Ethyl,Methanesulfonate, Ethyl,Sulfonate, Ethylmethane
D005038	Ethylnitrosourea	A nitrosourea compound with alkylating, carcinogenic, and mutagenic properties.	Nitrosoethylurea,N-Ethyl-N-nitrosourea,N Ethyl N nitrosourea
D005720	Gamma Rays	Penetrating, high-energy electromagnetic radiation emitted from atomic nuclei during NUCLEAR DECAY. The range of wavelengths of emitted radiation is between 0.1 - 100 pm which overlaps the shorter, more energetic hard X-RAYS wavelengths. The distinction between gamma rays and X-rays is based on their radiation source.	Gamma Wave,Gamma Radiation,Nuclear X-Rays,Radiation, Gamma,X-Rays, Nuclear,Gamma Radiations,Gamma Ray,Gamma Waves,Nuclear X Rays,Nuclear X-Ray,Ray, Gamma,Wave, Gamma,Waves, Gamma,X Rays, Nuclear,X-Ray, Nuclear