A genetic assay to detect chromosome gain and/or loss in somatic cells of Drosophila melanogaster.

A genetic short-term test is described that allows (i) detection and (ii) quantitative evaluation of aneuploidy induced in somatic cells of Drosophila melanogaster. In this somatic aneuploidy test (SAT) larvae of the genotype z w-/w+J Y are exposed to the test compound. Gain and/or loss of the w+J Y chromosome leads to the formation of aneuploid daughter cells: z w-/w/J Y/w+J Y and z w-/O, respectively. These cells are fully viable, proliferate and, when they are part of an eye primordium, form a yellow//white twin spot on the otherwise red background after metamorphosis. The number of eyes screened, the size and number of spots allow for a quantitative estimate of the frequency of induced aneuploidy. Induced aneuploidy was detected after exposure of larvae to X-rays and to vincristine. The somatic aneuploidy test seems to be a simple, sensitive and fast method to screen environmental chemicals for their ability to induce aneuploidy.