Mutational spectra of benzo[a]pyrene and MeIQx in rpsL transgenic zebrafish embryos

To evaluate the rpsL transgenic zebrafish (Brachydanio rerio) mutation assay, we treated the embryos with benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) (10 mug/rnl) or 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx) (300 mug/ml) for 16 h and determined the mutation spectra. These treatments were previously reported to induce mutant frequencies that were 4.3 and 2.4 times the control value, respectively. In the B[a]P-treated group, half of the mutations were single base substitutions, 74% of which occurred at G:C base pairs. Among G:C base pair substitutions, G:C to T:A and G: C to C:G transversions were predominant, suggesting that B[a]P induced mutations in zebrafish embryos by mechanisms previously described in mammalian tissues. In the MeIQx-treated group, about 60% of the mutations were deletions. Some specific mutations were found, but the compound primarily amplified the background mutation level; improvement in the conditions of treatment may be required for elucidating MeIQx-mutagenesis in this system, This study showed that transgenic zebrafish may be a useful toot for detecting mutagens in aquatic environments and for elucidating mutagenic mechanisms. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science BN. All rights reserved.