Detection of gamma radiation-induced DNA damage in maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) assessed using the comet assay.
OBJECTIVE
The Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) Comet assay, being a quick, simple, sensitive, reliable and fairly inexpensive method for measuring DNA strand breaks, has been used to assess DNA damage caused by gamma radiation in developmental stages of maize weevil Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky.


METHODS
An analysis of DNA damage following gamma radiation ((60)Cobalt) treatments at a dose of 0.5 and 1.0 kGy (Kilo Gray) has been carried out with cells obtained from the larvae, pupae and adults of S. zeamais.


RESULTS
Gamma radiation induced significant damage at DNA level in the experimental larvae, pupae and adults as manifested by increased strand breaks compared to intact cells from non-irradiated ones. Comet assay revealed that tail length and % tail DNA varied significantly for all developmental stages of S. zeamais.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that the comet assay would be a potentially useful tool for detecting DNA damage in insect pest control strategies due to its advantages in the requirement of small numbers of cells per sample and sensitivity in detecting low levels of DNA damage.
Hasan
M D Mahbub
MD
Laboratory for Stored Product Protection, Department of Zoology, Rajshahi University, Rajshahi, Bangladesh. mmhbgd@yahoo.com
Todoriki
Setsuko
S
Miyanoshita
Akihiro
A
Imamura
Taro
T
D000818:Animals; D020552:Comet Assay; D004249:DNA Damage; D005720:Gamma Rays; D007814:Larva / Q000235:genetics / Q000528:radiation effects; D011679:Pupa / Q000235:genetics / Q000528:radiation effects; D048889:Weevils / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000528:radiation effects*; D003313:Zea mays / Q000469:parasitology*