Biomaterial Database

Chemical induction of nondisjunction in drosophila. 1979

C Ramel, and J Magnusson

Tests for chemically induced nondisjunction and loss of the sex chromosomes in Drosophila were performed. Of 31 compounds tested four gave rise only to an increase of XO exceptions, indicating the induction of chromosome loss. Six compounds, all known spindle inhibitors (colchicine, organic mercury, lead, and tin compounds) gave rise to an increase both of XXY and XO or of only XXY. The effect by metalloorganic compounds of which methylmercury was studied particularly closely, follows a peculiar pattern. In females with structurally normal X chromosomes only an increase of XX gametes is obtained, while with X chromosomes heterozygous for long inversions only O gametes are increased. The data indicates that the effect of the metal compounds occurs at first meiosis and that the process is connected with a meiotic drive, giving rise to a preferential segregation of the two X chromosomes to the functioning pole. The increase only of O gametes with structurally heterozygous X chromosomes can tentatively be explained by a loss due to crossing over within the inversion. An increase of the effect of methyl mercury was obtained where the normal pairing of the X chromosomes was interfered with by means of autosomal inversions. Likewise a synergistic increase of nondisjunction was obtained when a temperature chock of 10 degrees C was applied together with treatment with methylmercury. It is concluded that chemical induction of nondisjunction can be studied in Drosophila, but the sensitivity of the test is rather low and large amount of material is required.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007814	Larva	Wormlike or grublike stage, following the egg in the life cycle of insects, worms, and other metamorphosing animals.	Maggots,Tadpoles,Larvae,Maggot,Tadpole
D008297	Male		Males
D008540	Meiosis	A type of CELL NUCLEUS division, occurring during maturation of the GERM CELLS. Two successive cell nucleus divisions following a single chromosome duplication (S PHASE) result in daughter cells with half the number of CHROMOSOMES as the parent cells.	M Phase, Meiotic,Meiotic M Phase,M Phases, Meiotic,Meioses,Meiotic M Phases,Phase, Meiotic M,Phases, Meiotic M
D008938	Mitosis	A type of CELL NUCLEUS division by means of which the two daughter nuclei normally receive identical complements of the number of CHROMOSOMES of the somatic cells of the species.	M Phase, Mitotic,Mitotic M Phase,M Phases, Mitotic,Mitoses,Mitotic M Phases,Phase, Mitotic M,Phases, Mitotic M
D009153	Mutagens	Chemical agents that increase the rate of genetic mutation by interfering with the function of nucleic acids. A clastogen is a specific mutagen that causes breaks in chromosomes.	Clastogen,Clastogens,Genotoxin,Genotoxins,Mutagen
D009941	Organomercury Compounds	Organic compounds which contain mercury as an integral part of the molecule.	Compounds, Organomercury
D009942	Organometallic Compounds	A class of compounds of the type R-M, where a C atom is joined directly to any other element except H, C, N, O, F, Cl, Br, I, or At. (Grant & Hackh's Chemical Dictionary, 5th ed)	Metallo-Organic Compound,Metallo-Organic Compounds,Metalloorganic Compound,Organometallic Compound,Metalloorganic Compounds,Compound, Metallo-Organic,Compound, Metalloorganic,Compound, Organometallic,Compounds, Metallo-Organic,Compounds, Metalloorganic,Compounds, Organometallic,Metallo Organic Compound,Metallo Organic Compounds
D010944	Plants	Multicellular, eukaryotic life forms of kingdom Plantae. Plants acquired chloroplasts by direct endosymbiosis of CYANOBACTERIA. They are characterized by a mainly photosynthetic mode of nutrition; essentially unlimited growth at localized regions of cell divisions (MERISTEMS); cellulose within cells providing rigidity; the absence of organs of locomotion; absence of nervous and sensory systems; and an alternation of haploid and diploid generations. It is a non-taxonomical term most often referring to LAND PLANTS. In broad sense it includes RHODOPHYTA and GLAUCOPHYTA along with VIRIDIPLANTAE.	Plant
D002869	Chromosome Aberrations	Abnormal number or structure of chromosomes. Chromosome aberrations may result in CHROMOSOME DISORDERS.	Autosome Abnormalities,Cytogenetic Aberrations,Abnormalities, Autosome,Abnormalities, Chromosomal,Abnormalities, Chromosome,Chromosomal Aberrations,Chromosome Abnormalities,Cytogenetic Abnormalities,Aberration, Chromosomal,Aberration, Chromosome,Aberration, Cytogenetic,Aberrations, Chromosomal,Aberrations, Chromosome,Aberrations, Cytogenetic,Abnormalities, Cytogenetic,Abnormality, Autosome,Abnormality, Chromosomal,Abnormality, Chromosome,Abnormality, Cytogenetic,Autosome Abnormality,Chromosomal Aberration,Chromosomal Abnormalities,Chromosomal Abnormality,Chromosome Aberration,Chromosome Abnormality,Cytogenetic Aberration,Cytogenetic Abnormality
D003080	Cold Temperature	An absence of warmth or heat or a temperature notably below an accustomed norm.	Cold,Cold Temperatures,Temperature, Cold,Temperatures, Cold