Chromosomal aberrations and SCEs in Allium cepa root-tip cells treated with caffeine and pyronin Y.

The effectiveness of caffeine and pyronin Y in the induction of both chromosomal aberrations and sister-chromatid exchanges (SCEs) in root meristematic cells of A. cepa was studied. The rate of SCEs proved to be increased when 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine- (BrdU) substituted chromosomes were allowed to replicate in thymidine (dT) for a second S period simultaneously with caffeine or pyronin Y. In contrast, only caffeine was able to induce aberrations in BrdU-substituted chromosomes, while pyronin Y seemed to be ineffective at the doses employed.