Genotoxic activity of mebendazole in Aspergillus nidulans

Mutat Res. 1994 Mar 1;305(2):139-44. doi: 10.1016/0027-5107(94)90232-1.

Abstract

Mebendazole is an anthelmintic drug widely used in Cuba and in Mexico. Its interaction with tubulin interferes with the assemblage of the mitotic apparatus in the parasite cells, thus suggesting a possible genotoxic activity leading to chromosomal malsegregation. The heterozygous diploid strain D30 of Aspergillus nidulans was used to establish the ability of mebendazole to induce mitotic recombination and/or chromosomal non-disjunction, and the haploid strain FGSC #219 of A. nidulans was used to study the ability of mebendazole to induce point mutations in the methG suppressor system. Our results show that mebendazole can induce chromosomal non-disjunction but it fails to promote point mutations.

MeSH terms

  • Analysis of Variance
  • Aspergillus nidulans / drug effects*
  • Aspergillus nidulans / genetics
  • Diploidy
  • Haploidy
  • Mebendazole / toxicity*
  • Mutagenicity Tests
  • Mutagens / toxicity*
  • Nondisjunction, Genetic
  • Point Mutation
  • Recombination, Genetic

Substances

  • Mutagens
  • Mebendazole