The organic solvents acetone, ethanol and dimethylformamide potentiate the mutagenic activity of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine, but have no effect on the mutagenic potential of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea
Gichner, T.; Velemínský, J.
Mutation Research 192(1): 31-35
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0027-5107 PMID: 3657835 Document Number: 299998
The frequency of recessive chlorophyll and embryonic lethals incuded by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) in Arabidopsis thaliana was markedly increased when exposure of the seeds to MNNG (3 h) was carried out in the presence of 4-12% acetone, 4-16% ethanol or 8-32% dimethylformamide. The enhancement of MNNG mutagenicity was proportional to the concentrations of these organic solvents. In contrast, neither of them, applied at the same conditions and doses, influenced the mutagenic activity of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea. The solvents without mutagens did not influence the spontaneous rate of mutations and revealed no or very weak toxic effect as measured by the seed germination.