The Mechanisms and Effects of the Plant Activation of Chemicals in the Environment
Abstract
The demonstration that plants can activate chemicals into mutagens raises the concern that plants might activate environmental agents and introduce genotoxins into the human food chain. This project concentrated on the following research objectives. 1) The comparison of the plant activation of specific mono- and polycyclic aromatic amines (2-aminofluorene and m-phenylenediamine) by cultured plant cells and fresh water algae. 2) The investigation of the biochemical mechanisms of plant activation by the use of specific enzyme inhibitors. 3) The determination if specific inhibitors that constrain the activation of the substrates function by competitive or noncompetitive inhibition. 2-aminofluorene is a more potent promutagen than m-phenylenediamine. As little as 25 nmol 2-aminofluorene/reaction tube caused a significant increase in mutant TA98 cells. S. capricornutum did not activate m-phenylenediamine at concentration ranges similar to those used for the TX1 studies, although 2- aminofluorene was weakly activated. Both agents appeared to be non-toxic at the highest concentrations, based on microscopic observation of the algal cells after exposure to the chemicals. Under the conditions tested, it was concluded that the enzyme system(s) responsible for the activation of these chemicals in tobacco cells is either at low concentrations or inactive in the algal cells.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 09, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA221499
Entities
People
- Michael J. Plewa
Organizations
- University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign