Heavy metal induced DNA changes in aquatic macrophytes: Random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis and identification of sequence characterized amplified region marker.

Plants have been used as good bio-indicators and genetic toxicity of environmental pollution in recent years. In this study, aquatic plants Hydrilla verticillata and Ceratophyllum demersum treated with 10 micromol/L Cd, 5 micromol/L Hg, and 20 micromol/L Cu for 96 h, showed changes in chlorophyll, protein content, and in DNA profiles. The changes in DNA profiles included variation in band intensity, presence or absence of certain bands and even appearance of new bands. Genomic template stability test performed for the qualitative measurement of changes in randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) profiles, showed significant effect at the given concentration of metals. Cloning and sequencing of bands suggested that these markers although may not be homologous to any known gene but its conversion as a sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) marke is useful in detecting the effects of genotoxin agents.