Microsatellite instability in Lactuca sativa chronically exposed to cadmium

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2009

Authors

Monteiro, MS (Author) Other; Lopes, T (Author) Other; Mann, RM (Author) Other; Paiva, C (Author) Other; Soares, AMVM (Author) Other; Santos, C (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Mutation Research - Genetic Toxicology and Environmental Mutagenesis

Vol. 672

Pages: 90-94

ISSN: 1383-5718

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 15 Citations

Scopus - 18 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-003-NQ2

DOI: 10.1016/j.mrgentox.2008.10.012

Abstract (EN): Cadmium (Cd) is a cytotoxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic metal. Mutagenesis is indicative of genetic instability and can be assayed by use of microsatellite markers (simple sequence repeats, SSRs). These are tandem-repeated tracts of DNA composed of units that are 1-6 base pairs (bp) long, spread throughout the genome and highly polymorphic. SSRs can be used in the detection of genomic DNA damage and/or mutational events (e.g. deletions, insertions, point mutations). In order to study chronic exposure to cadmium, Lactuca sativa L seeds were germinated in distilled water and grown on modified Hoagland's medium, both supplemented with 0, 10 and 100 mu M Cd(NO(3))(2). After 28 days of exposure, the plants were harvested to assess shoot and root length and accumulation of cadmium. DNA was extracted from young and expanded leaves and roots in order to analyse microsatellite instability (MSI). Mutagenic effects of cadmium were evaluated on nine microsatellite loci. No MSI was found in leaves, but a 2-bp deletion in one lettuce root SSR was detected among the SSRs that were analysed. Thus, SSR analyses may provide a complementary tool in the assessment of different genotoxic effects of compounds on plants.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 5