A Drosophila simulans mutant strain sensitive to benzo[a]pyrene and 2-acetylaminofluorene.

We have identified a Drosophila simulans mutant, 364 yu, that is sensitive to the toxic effects of the procarcinogens B(a)P and 2-AAF. Heterozygotes obtained by crossing it to the wild resistant Turku strain (female 364 yu x male Turku) were more sensitive than heterozygotes obtained from the reciprocal cross (female Turku x male 364 yu) to both the toxic and the mutagenic effects of B(a)P in Drosophila tests that measured lethality and the induction of somatic mosaicism, respectively. The non-carcinogens pyrene, B(e)P and 4-AAF were only weakly toxic and non-mutagenic. In the Ames test B(a)P activation with S15 fractions prepared from the homogenates of Drosophila larvae and imagoes of the 364 yu strain, as well as of the more resistant D. melanogaster y ++/+ w sn3 heterozygotes, did not significantly increase the number of S. typhimurium TA100 revertants even following pretreatment with inducers of microsomal monooxygenases (B(a)P, PCB, PB). As for 2-AAF, a certain increase was observed following only PB, but not B(a)P pretreatment. Possible mechanisms of B(a)P and 2-AAF sensitivity of the 364 yu strain, and perspectives on using it for monitoring genotoxic environmental pollutants, are discussed.