Genotoxicity of Copper and Nickel Nanoparticles in Somatic Cells of Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract

Copper and nickel nanoparticles (Cu-NPs and Ni-NPs, respectively) are used in a variety of industrial applications, such as semiconductors, catalysts, sensors, and antimicrobial agents. Although studies on its potential genotoxicity already exist, few of them report in vivo data. In the present study we have used the wing-spot assay in Drosophila melanogaster to determine the genotoxic activity of Cu-NPs and Ni-NPs, and these data have been compared with those obtained with their microparticle forms (MPs). Additionally, a complete physical characterization of NPs using transmission electronic microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV) techniques was also performed. Results obtained with Cu-NPs and Cu-MPs indicate that both failed to induce an increase in the frequency of mutant spots formation in the wings of the adults, suggesting a lack of genotoxicity in somatic cells of D. melanogaster. However, when Ni-NPs and Ni-MPs were evaluated, a significant increase of small single spots and total mutant spots was observed only for Ni-NPs (P<0.05) at the highest dose assessed. Thus, the genotoxicity of Ni-NPs seem to be related to their nanoscale size, because no genotoxic effects have been reported with their microparticles and ions. This study is the first assessing the in vivo genotoxic potential of Cu-NPs and Ni-NPs in the Drosophila model.

Nickel oxide nanoparticles induce genotoxicity and cellular alterations in the ground beetle Blaps polycresta (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

“…Alloys of nickel and copper at the nanometer scale are used in magnetic hyperthermia treatments (Ban et al, 2011). Ni-NPs have been utilized in sealants, medical devices, electronic equipment, and plastics, because they can resist corrosion and have high electrical conductivity (Carmona et al, 2018).…”

Copper Oxide Nanoparticles and Bulk Particles Stress Induced Cytological and Physiological Responses of Vicia Faba L.

“…However, multiple CAs like chromosome bridges, laggards and breaks, were also observed in single cells at higher concentrations. The underlying mechanism responsible for causing genetic damage is an interesting and relevant area of research and would help to determine whether the effect of NPs on DNA is general or nanospeci c. NPs may cause genotoxicity either directly through interaction with nucleic acids or they may interfere with protein assembly during DNA replication (Carmona et al 2018) or damage caused by reactive oxygen species generation (Kisin et al 2007). There may be several attributions to the increased frequency of aberrations.…”

Genotoxic analysis of nickel–iron oxide in Drosophila

“…According to the above information, we say that the smaller NPs enter and exit the cell more easily. In Carmona et al (2018), the wing spot assay was used in D. melanogaster to determine the genotoxic activity of nickel NPs (Ni-NPs, <100 nm) and nickel microparticles (10 mm) and these data were compared. When Ni-NPs were evaluated, a Frei andFrei and Würgler (1988); CIF: frequency of clone formation per 10 5 cells; þ: positive; À: negative; i: inconclusive; m: multiplication factor; probability levels ¼ ¼ 0.05. a Balancer chromosome TM3 does not carry the flr 3 mutation.…”

“…According to the above information, we say that the smaller NPs enter and exit the cell more easily. In Carmona et al (2018), the wing spot assay was used in D. melanogaster to determine the genotoxic activity of nickel NPs (Ni-NPs, <100 nm) and nickel microparticles (10 µm) and these data were compared. When Ni-NPs were evaluated, a significant increase of small single spots and total mutant spots was observed at the highest dose assessed.…”

“…When Ni-NPs were evaluated, a significant increase of small single spots and total mutant spots was observed at the highest dose assessed. It was reported that the genotoxicity of Ni-NPs seems to be related to their nanoscale size because of no genotoxic effects in their microparticles and ion forms (Carmona et al, 2018). In our study, the size of NiFe 2 O 4 NPs was between 20 nm and 30 nm.…”