Human Hazard Assessment Using Drosophila Wing Spot Test as an Alternative In Vivo Model for Genotoxicity Testing—A Review

Abstract

Genomic instability, one of cancer’s hallmarks, is induced by genotoxins from endogenous and exogenous sources, including reactive oxygen species (ROS), diet, and environmental pollutants. A sensitive in vivo genotoxicity test is required for the identification of human hazards to reduce the potential health risk. The somatic mutation and recombination test (SMART) or wing spot test is a genotoxicity assay involving Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly) as a classical, alternative human model. This review describes the principle of the SMART assay in conjunction with its advantages and disadvantages and discusses applications of the assay covering all segments of health-related industries, including food, dietary supplements, drug industries, pesticides, and herbicides, as well as nanoparticles. Chemopreventive strategies are outlined as a global health trend for the anti-genotoxicity of interesting herbal extract compounds determined by SMART assay. The successful application of Drosophila for high-throughput screening of mutagens is also discussed as a future perspective.

Complex interactions between nicotine and resveratrol in the Drosophila melanogaster wing spot test

“…[ 108 ] showed an increase in breast cancer rate ratios associated with heavy TCA exposure 11–15 years later. A recent review paper of this model further supports its applicability to as a human disease model for genotoxic testing [ 109 ].…”

Pseudobombax parvifolium Hydroalcoholic Bark Extract: Chemical Characterisation and Cytotoxic, Mutagenic, and Preclinical Aspects Associated with a Protective Effect on Oxidative Stress

“…Furthermore, health surveillance agencies require investigation of safety of plant extracts and their derivatives regarding possible mutagenic effects and DNA damage, aiming at their clinical application. The SMART assay using D. melanogaster is widely applied to investigate the mutagenicity of natural and synthetic compounds [ 51 ]. No direct or indirect mutagenic effects were observed in D. melanogaster somatic cells after exposure to different concentrations of EBHE, displaying even lower values for the total number of mutant clones compared to the negative control.…”

Genotoxicity testing of nanomaterials

“…An alternative in vivo model for NM genotoxicity testing is the use of a nonmammalian whole animal test in Drosophila. The relatively short reproductive cycles of Drosophila allow a fast test, which at the same time is open for high throughput (Pitchakarn et al, 2021). The Drosophila wing spot test (also called the somatic mutation and recombination test [SMART]) is based on the loss of heterozygosity in dividing wing cells during larval development and is easily recognized as mutant wing spots in adults.…”