THE EFFECT OF ADENOSINE TRIPHOSPHATE ON MITOMYCIN C-INDUCED ABERRATION YIELD IN VICIA FABA

Abstract

The effect of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) on the yield of mitomycin C-induced chromosome aberrations was examined with the root meristematic cells of Vicia faba. ATP content of root tips, as determined by luciferin-luciferinase assay, increased by over twofold after treatment in an ATP solution. The results indicated that ATP, given as a pre- or post-treatment, reduced the aberration yield. The equal efficacy of both pre- and post-ATP treatment in the modification of aberration yield may suggest a significant biochemical role played by ATP during the recovery period. The suggestion is further made that ATP serves as an energy source for a metabolic process which regulates repair of damaged chromosomes.