PJS Vol 131 No. 1, June 2002
Page 37-41
ISSN 0031-7683
Mutagen-induced Alterations in the Nucleic Acid Content and Mitotic Index of Dugesia bengalensis Kawakatsu
AK Aditya*, Sanjib Chattopadhyay, Shyamal Mitra and Suprakash Kar
Department of Zoology, UGC-DSA, Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan-731 235, India
corresponding author:
ABSTRACT
The effects of sublethal dose of 5-Bromouracil (5-BrU), 2-Thiouracil (2-ThU), Dimethyl Sulphate (DMS) and Ethylurethane (Ur) on DNA & RNA content, RNA/DNA ratio and mitotic indices of the entire Dugesia bengalensis have been shown. Quantitative estimations of DNAs and RNAs were performed on total hormogenates. DNA and RNA synthesis increased in 5-BrU and 2-ThU treated individuals, whereas decreasing trends were noted in DMS and Ur-treated planarians at 24 h to 96 h exposure. The increase mitosis in cases with 5-BrU and 2-ThU and inhibition of mitosis in DMS and Ur treated cases (Aditya et al. 1994) has been direct correlation with the nucleic acid content and mitotic index in treated planarians.
INTRODUCTION
Dugesia bengalensis Kawakatsu, a freshwater Turbellarian from West Bengal, India, shows high regenerating ability. Previous studies of Best et al., (1981), Best and Morita (1991) suggested that freshwater planarian may be a useful indicator species in providing an early indication of water contamination. Induction of neoplasia and malformed organs by exposing planarians to some carcinogens and mutagens (Hoshina and Teshirogi, 1991; Mahapatra and Aditya, 1992) and with heavy metal (Aditya and Bandopadhhyay, 1995) have already been reported. Induction of tumors in the planarian exposed to mammalian carcinogens (Hall et al., 1896, a.b) and a type of malignant tumor . . . . read more
