title: DNA integrity of onion root cells under catechol influence.
abstract: Catechol is a highly toxic organic pollutant, usually abundant in the waste effluents of industrial processes and agricultural activities. The environmental sources of catechol include pesticides, wood preservatives, tanning lotion, cosmetic creams, dyes, and synthetic intermediates. Genotoxicity of catechol at a concentration range 5 × 10(-1)-5 mM was evaluated by applying random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and time-lapse DNA laddering tests using onion (Allium cepa) root cells as the assay system. RAPD analysis revealed polymorphisms in the nucleotidic sequence of DNA that reflected the genotoxic potential of catechol to provoke point mutations, or deletions, or chromosomal rearrangements. Time-lapse DNA laddering test provided evidence that catechol provoked DNA necrosis and apoptosis. Acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining could distinguish apoptotic from necrotic cells in root cells of A. cepa.
authors.affiliation: Fruit Trees Research Unit, C.R.A., Via Torrino 3, 81100 Caserta, Italy.
authors.forename: Milena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Petriccione
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Forte
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Valente
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ciniglia
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D002396:Catechols / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations / Q000187:drug effects; D032461:Chromosomes, Plant / Q000235:genetics; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000187:drug effects*; D018744:DNA, Plant / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D019697:Onions / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D010575:Pesticides / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D017354:Point Mutation; D019105:Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA
chemical_list: D002396:Catechols; D018744:DNA, Plant; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D010575:Pesticides