A mutagenic in vivo metabolite of sodium azide

Owais, W.M.; Zarowitz, M.A.; Gunovich, R.A.; Hodgdon, A.L.; Kleinhofs, A.; Nilan, R.A.

doi:10.1016/0165-1161(78)90009-2

Cited by 61 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…Therefore it is likely that the chiasma depression was a direct effect of the fungicides in contrast with sodium azide (Owais et al 1978), and not caused by their metabolites-an aspect in pesticide genotoxicity lately receiving attention (Plewa 1978). The present results, however, suggest that chiasma frequency may emerge as yet another scorable end-point hi therto ignored in genetic toxicology though several other cytological end-points had been under screening (Sharma 1971, Grant 1978.…”

Section: Methodscontrasting

confidence: 51%

Effects of some systemic fungicides on the chiasma frequencies in Hordeum vulgare.

et al. 1983

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Modern agriculture has introduced a large number of pesticides into the environment. Some of these were demonstrated to exert toxic influences on various non-target organisms including plants (Mrak 1969 , Epstein andLegator 1971). In higher plants there were reported on the pesticide influences on mitosis and meiosis (Wuu andGrant 1966, 1967). However , it was not investigated whether or not the recombinant source of variation in meiosis was affected . To enquire such a possibility four systemic fungicides are presently tested in Hordeum vulgare for possible impact on chiasma frequency which is not only an indicator of the degree of recombination but also a demonstrable parameter carrying a wide range of implications (Rees and Thompson 1956, Dowrick 1957, Rees and Jones 1976. Since several agricultural chemicals were reported to be mutagenic (Epstein and Legator 1971, Panda andSharma 1979), sodium azide , a known mutagen has also been tested for comparison. Material and methodsSolutions of different strengths of thiabendazole, fuberidazole, carboxin, oxycarboxin and sodium azide were prepared in a phosphate buffer (0.1M) adjusted to pH 7. Traces of acetone were added for facilitating solubility when ever necessary. Seeds of a cultivated barley, Hordeum vulgare C. V. 292 (2n=14), were soaked in the distilled water for 15hrs, and treated in the different test solu tions for 6 hrs. This duration approximately corresponded with the mid-S phase of the initial mitosis (Khalatkar 1976, Panda andSharma 1980) in the seeds. After a thorough wash the seeds were germinated in petriplates and a week-old seedlings were transplanted to the field. During the flowering season first spikes from five different plants were fixed in acetic alcohol and florets were squashed in aceto carmine. Chiasma frequencies were determined from at least 30-50 metaphases from these squash preparations representing the five plants (Bennett and Rees 1970). Negative controls were maintained, separately for experiments with each test com pounds, in the buffer or acetonised buffer. Percentage of reduction in the chiasma frequency was measured as depression index. The work was triplicated. ObservationsThe number of chiasmata per cell ranged between 12-27 in the controls, 14 and

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Section: Methodscontrasting

confidence: 51%

Effects of some systemic fungicides on the chiasma frequencies in Hordeum vulgare.

et al. 1983

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“…The discovery of a mutagenic metabolite occurring in maize after atrazine treatment (100, 101) is now well known. Just recently, a mutagenic metabolite has been detected in barley embryos following sodium azide treatment in our laboratory (102). We also have some evidence that a metabolite of azide is responsible for its mutagenic action in Chinese hamster cells and bacteria.…”

Section: Mechanism Of Mutagen Action and Nature Of Induced Mutationsmentioning

confidence: 71%

Potential of Plant Genetic Systems for Monitoring and Screening Mutagens

Nilan¹

1978

Environmental Health Perspectives

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Plants have too long been ignored as useful screening and monitoring systems of environmental mutagens. However, there are about a dozen reliable, some even unique, plant genetic systems that can increase the scope and effectiveness of chemical and physical mutagen screening and monitoring procedures. Some of these should be included in the Tier II tests. Moreover, plants are the only systems now in use as monitors of genetic effects caused by polluted atmosphere and water and by pesticides.There are several major advantages of the plant test systems which relate to their reproductive nature, easy culture and growth habits that should be considered in mutagen screening and monitoring. In addition to these advantages, the major plant test systems exhibit numerous genetic and chromosome changes for determining the effects of mutagens. Some of these have not yet been detected in other nonmammalian and mammalian test systems, but probably occur in the human organism.Plants have played major roles in various aspects of mutagenesis research, primarily in mutagen screening (detection and verification of mutagenic activity), mutagen monitoring, and determining mutagen effects and mechanisms of mutagen action. They have played lesser roles in quantification of mutagenic activity and understanding the nature of induced mutations.Mutagen monitoring with plants, especially in situ on land or in water, will help determine potential genetic hazards ofair and water pollutants and protect the genetic purity ofcrop plants and the purity ofthe food supply. The Tradescantia stamen-hair system is used in a mobile laboratory for determining the genetic effects of industrial and automobile pollution in a number ofsites in the U.S.A. The fern is employed for monitoring genetic effects of water pollution in the Eastern states. The maize pollen system and certain weeds have monitored genetic effects of pesticides. Several other systems that have considerable value and should be developed and more widely used in mutagen monitoring and screening, especially for in situ monitoring, are discussed. Emphasis is placed on pollen systems in which changes in pollen structure, chemistry, and chromosomes can be scored for monitoring; and screening systems which can record low levels of genetic effects as well as provide information on the nature of induced mutations. The value of plant systems for monitoring and screening mutagens can be improved by: greater knowledge of plant cell processes at the molecular and ultrastructural levels; relating these processes to mutagen effects and plant cell responses; improving current systems for increased sensitivity, ease of detecting genetic and chromosome changes, recording ofdata (including automation), and for extending the range of genetic and chromosome end points; and designing and developing new systems with the aid of previous and current botanical and genetic knowledge.

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“…It can also be metabolized by plants into a mutagen (41). Owais et ale (41) isolated and partially characterized a plant metabolite-C>f sodium azide which was mutagenic to S. typhimurium. Barley seeds were germinated and treated with sodium azide.…”

Section: In Vivo Plant Activationmentioning

confidence: 99%