Possibilities of using micronucleus analysis to detect gene mutations in animals

Abstract

Relevance. The main purpose of micronuclear analysis is to identify substances that cause cytotoxic damage and lead to the formation of micronuclei containing lagging fragments of chromosomes or whole chromosomes. For the study of chromosomal disorders, micronuclear analysis is now very often used, since it is quite easy to perform and does not require large costs.Methods and results. Micronuclei are cytoplasmic chromatin-containing bodies formed when delayed in anaphase or telophase during cell division or fragmentation of the nucleus during apoptosis. The method of micronuclear analysis is used as a biomarker of chromosomal aberrations in the study of mutagenicity, as well as a marker of the development of oncological diseases. With quantitative changes in DNA in the cell, the formation of micronuclei occurs. It is their presence that is an indicator that the body was exposed to environmental pollution (pesticides, pesticides, radiation, heavy metals, etc.), leading to inflammatory and pathological processes. Recently, many studies have been conducted aimed at studying the influence of environmental factors on the genetic apparatus of the body. Under the influence of mutagens, micronuclei are formed in proliferating cells, the counting of which allows for the diagnosis of both genotoxic stress and genetic instability of the organism. To determine early genetic changes in humans and animals, sensitive and labor-intensive methods are needed, which can be attributed to micronuclear analysis. Recently, micronuclear analysis has become relevant for its use in the livestock sector, mainly in research aimed at quality control of livestock products used in the future for human nutrition.