CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF MUTAGENESIS 

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 Mutagenesis 

 Mutagenesis is a process by which the genetic information of

an organism is changed, resulting in a mutation.

It may occur
• spontaneously in nature or
• as a result of exposure to mutagens

It can also be achieved

• experimentally

In nature mutagenesis can lead to

• cancer
• various heritable diseases
• evolution
 Types of mutations 

The DNA sequence of a gene can be altered in a number of ways.

I. Missense mutation

II. Nonsense mutation

III. Insertion

IV. Deletion
 Types of mutagens

a) Physical mutagen

b) Chemical mutagen

c) Biological mutagen
 Chemical mutation

The first report of mutagenic action of a chemical was in 1942.

The interaction of certain environmental chemical compounds and

cell metabolism may result in genetic changes in DNA structure,
affecting one or more genes. These chemical induced mutations are
known as chemical mutagenesis.

Chemical mutagens include certain

• pesticides
• a few natural plant alkaloids
• tobacco smoke
• environmental pollutants
 Types of Chemical mutagens

Chemical mutagens are categorized into four general groups,

based on the mechanism by which they interact with DNA.

1. Base analogs

2. Base altering chemicals

3. Intercalating agents

4. Agents altering DNA structures

 Base analogs

These chemicals structurally resemble purines and pyrimidines and

may be incorporated into DNA in place of the normal bases during
DNA replication i.e.,

Bromouracil (BU)

Artificially created compound extensively used in research.

Resembles thymine (has Br atom instead of methyl group) and will

be incorporated into DNA and pair with A like thymine.
 Base altering chemicals

Chemicals which alter structure and pairing properties of normal

bases active on both replicating and non replicating DNA result in
mutation upon DNA replication by forming baseless sites or mispair.

Two common chemical modification agents „

 Alkylating agents „

 Deaminating agents
 Alkylating agents

Compounds with one or more alkyl groups can be transferred to

DNA or other molecules.

Common alkylating agents are :-

• EMS (Ethyl methane sulphonate)

• EES (ethyl ethane sulphonate )
• DES (diethyl sulphonate).
•„ Di-(2-chloroethyl) sulfide (Sulfur mustard)
•„ Di-(2-chloroethyl) methylamine (Nitrogen mustard)
 Deaminating agents

Deamination is the removal of an  amino group from a molecule.

• Nitrous acid (HNO2)

• one of common deaminating agents

• Convert the amino group (-NH2) into keto group (=O)

• It causes C to U, C to T, and A to hypoxanthine deaminations.

• It convert cytosine to uracil and forms hydrogen bond with adenine

rather than guanine. 
 Intercalating agents

All are flat, multiple ring molecules which interact with bases of
DNA and insert between them.

• This insertion causes

a "stretching" of the DNA duplex and
the DNA polymerase is "fooled" into inserting an extra base
opposite an intercalated molecule.

• The result is that intercalating agents cause frameshifts.

i.e., acridine orange, 2,8-Diamino acridine (proflavin), ethidium

bromide
 Agents altering DNA structure

This is a "catch-all" category which includes a variety of different

kinds of agents. These may be:

• --large molecules which bind to bases in DNA

referred as "bulky" lesions

• --agents causing intra- and inter-strand crosslinks

(eg. Psoralens)

• --chemicals causing DNA strand breaks

(eg., peroxides)
 Metals

• Many metals, such as arsenic, cadmium, chromium, nickel and

their compounds are mutagenic in action

• Some metals alters the DNA replication mechanism

• Nickel involved in DNA hypermethylation

• Cobalt, arsenic, nickel and cadmium may also affect DNA repair
processes
 Prevention

 Antioxidants are an important group of

anticarcinogenic compounds.

 Fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidants.

 Examples of antioxidants are vitamin A and its carotenoid

 precursors,  vitamin C, vitamin E, polyphenols, and various other
compounds.

 Flavonoids, such as EGCG in green tea, have also been shown

to be effective antioxidants and may have anti-cancer properties.
 Other chemicals may reduce mutagenesis or prevent cancer via
other mechanisms. 

 Selenium, which is present as a micronutrient in vegetables.

 Many phytonutrients may counter the effect of mutagens; for

example,sulforaphane. 

 Others that may be effective against cancer include indole-3-

carbinol.
 Mutagens identified in food include mycotoxins , such as
aflatoxins . 

 Prevention of exposure to aflatoxins can be achieved either at

community or individual levels.

 The processing of popcorn had a significant effect on aflatoxin

destruction.

 Several probiotic bacteria are able to bind aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in

vitro, including ;
Lactobacillus rhamnosus LC-705 and
Propionibacterium freudenreichii subsp
 Uses of chemical mutagenesis

In microbiology

• To induce mutation in a variety of microorganisms

• For the Isolation of overproducing Mutants

• For the production of more competent

• For the production high yield producing strains

In food Industry

• Used as food additives and other organoleptic qualities of food.

(nitrous acid )

• Arcidine orange usefull for cell cycle determination

• Ethidium bromide is used as DNA dye

• Nitrogen mustard gas is first used in world war 1 as it cause

Large blisters on exposed skin.