Induction of Mutations with β-Propiolactone

Abstract

In a search for new chemical mutagens, the compound [beta] -propiolactone was tested on Vicia faba and Neurospora crassa with the following results: (1) chromosomal aberrations were induced in mitotic divisions of root tip cells in V. faba; and (2) reversions were caused to growth-factor-independence in biochemical mutant strains of N.crassa and gene mutations were induced which confer resistance on the antibiotic effects of canavarine on Neurospora. Immersion of V. faba root tips in a 0.05% aqueous solution of beta-propiolactone for 20 minutes was found to be a sublethal dosage at which chromosomal aberrations were produced if cells were fixed 24-48 hours after treatment. The treatment of two strains (having inositoless and adenineless spores) of Neurospora with 0.01% [beta]-propiolactone for 12 hours produced respectively 0.14 and 15.27 mutations per 106 conidia. Correspondingly, spores of the mutant strains exposed to UV light for two minutes produced 8.56 and 2.42 mutations per 106 conidia.