THE W W(+) SOMATIC MUTATION AND RECOMBINATION TEST (SMART) OF DROSOPHILA-MELANOGASTER FOR DETECTING REACTIVE OXYGEN SPECIES - CHARACTERIZATION OF 6 STRAINS/

The w/w(+) somatic mutation and recombination test (SMART) of Drosophi la melanogaster is a fast and low cost in vivo assay that has shown ex cellent results in the assessment of genotoxicity of a large number of compounds. However, recent studies have revealed that, when procarcin ogens are to be evaluated, the performance of the assay is largely dep endent on the genetic background of the strains used. To determine whi ch one of the strains available for this test would be advisable to ev aluate agents producing reactive oxygen species we have used two appro aches. Firstly, the w/w(+) assay was carried out using 6 different str ains and two compounds: menadione and paraquat. Secondly, 3 biochemica l traits were determined for the 6 strains: superoxide dismutase and c atalase activities, and their capacity to induce reactive oxygen speci es. The results suggest that the strains Oregon K and Haag 79 would be usable when potential inducers of reactive oxygen species are to be i nvestigated.