The Role Of Prostaglandin-H Synthase In Germ Cell Mutagenesis

Abstract

The role of prostaglandin-H synthase in the activation of dimethylnitrosamine to induce genetic mutations was studied. The test organisms used were two strains of Drosophila melanoaaster. A comparison was made to estimate the proportions of mutations resulting from dimethylnitrosamine-demethylase activation of dimethylnitrosamine and from prostaglandin-H synthase activation of the chemical. Sex-linked recessive lethal tests were performed and statistically evaluated to determine whether or not prostaglandin-H synthase could serve as an alternate or major pathway in metabolism of the chemical dimethylnitrosamine. The results of these tests indicate that prostaglandin-H synthase is probably not involved in the mutation process.