Petite mutagenesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by a series of bis-cationic trypanocidal drugs.

A group of bis-cationic imidazo[1,2-a]pyridinium salts and related compounds, some of which exhibit in vivo trypanocidal activity, have been investigated for induction of petite mutagenesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. All of the compounds which are active trypanocides induce mutagenesis. There appears to be a correlation between trypanocidal activity and mutagenic activity which may have its structural origin in the spatial separation of the cationic centers.