Genotoxicity of 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ) and related compounds in Drosophila

• Published in: Mutagenesis Vol. 7; no. 2; p. 145
• Main Authors: Graf, U, Wild, D, Würgler, F E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.03.1992
• Subjects: Animals; Carcinogens - toxicity; Drosophila melanogaster - drug effects; Mutagenicity Tests; Mutagens - toxicity; Quinolines - toxicity; Salmonella - drug effects
• ISSN: 0267-8357
• DOI: 10.1093/mutage/7.2.145

The potent food mutagen and carcinogen 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5- f]quinoline (IQ) and the structurally related heterocyclic aromatic amines 2-aminoimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (demethyl-IQ) and 2-amino-1-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (iso-IQ) were assayed for genotoxicity in the wing somatic mutation and recombination test (SMART) as well as in the sex-linked recessive lethal (SLRL) test in Drosophila melanogaster. In addition, 3-methyl-2-nitroimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (nitro-IQ), 2-nitrofluorene and 1,8-dinitropyrene were also assayed in the wing spot test. IQ was clearly mutagenic in the SLRL test with highest activity in spermatids. Iso-IQ was more active than IQ whereas demethyl-IQ was inactive in this test. The same pattern of results was obtained in the wing SMART: iso-IQ produced greater than 2-fold higher frequencies of spots than IQ and demethyl-IQ was clearly negative. In addition, nitro-IQ exhibited an approximately equal genotoxic activity as IQ. 2-Nitrofluorene and 1,8-dinitropyrene were both inactive in the wing spot test. These data provide good evidence for a correlation of genotoxic effects in germinal and somatic cells, and for the practical advantage of the wing spot test in Drosophila. Moreover, the results show structure-activity relationships among the heterocyclic aromatic amines and nitro compounds similar to those found in Salmonella.