Rhodamine B induces long nucleoplasmic bridges and other nuclear anomalies in Allium cepa root tip cells

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2014 Mar;21(5):3363-70. doi: 10.1007/s11356-013-2282-9.

Abstract

The cytogenetic toxicity of rhodamine B on root tip cells of Allium cepa was investigated. A. cepa were cultured in water (negative control), 10 ppm methyl methanesulfonate (positive control), and three concentrations of rhodamine B (200, 100, and 50 ppm) for 7 days. Rhodamine B inhibited mitotic activity; increased nuclear anomalies, including micronuclei, nuclear buds, and bridged nuclei; and induced oxidative stress in A. cepa root tissues. Furthermore, a substantial amount of long nucleoplasmic bridges were entangled together, and some nuclei were simultaneously linked to several other nuclei and to nuclear buds with nucleoplasmic bridges in rhodamine B-treated cells. In conclusion, rhodamine B induced cytogenetic effects in A. cepa root tip cells, which suggests that the A. cepa root is an ideal model system for detecting cellular interactions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Ascorbate Peroxidases / metabolism
  • Catalase / metabolism
  • Cell Nucleus / drug effects
  • Cell Nucleus / pathology
  • Fluorescent Dyes / toxicity*
  • Glutathione Peroxidase / metabolism
  • Meristem / cytology*
  • Meristem / drug effects*
  • Mitosis / drug effects
  • Mitotic Index
  • Onions*
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Rhodamines / toxicity*
  • Superoxide Dismutase / metabolism

Substances

  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Rhodamines
  • Ascorbate Peroxidases
  • Catalase
  • Glutathione Peroxidase
  • Superoxide Dismutase
  • rhodamine B