Mutagenesis in Caenorhabditis elegans: I. A rapid eukaryotic mutagen test system using the reciprocal translocation, eTI(III;V)

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Abstract

The advantages of developing mutagenicity tests using the nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans, are discussed and an efficient in vivo test for detecting heritable autosomal recessive lethals over 40 map units is described. The test uses the reciprocal translocation, eTl(III;V), as a balancer. Dose-response curves for EMS (0.004–0.06 M) and γ-radiation (500–3000 R) were obtained. The spontaneous induction frequency for lethal mutations in 40 map units was found to be 0.06%. Mutations could be detected within 10 days and confirmed within another 5 days. From the point of view of C. elegans genetics, the EMS and γ-ray curves demonstrate that eTl can be used to test the efficacy of a particular mutagen in this organism. Although the present eTl protocol simultaneously screens hermaphrodite oocyte and sperm chromosomes, variations of the protocol that screen oocyte and sperm chromosomes separately are described.

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