R A Nilan

Lund University, Lund, Skane, Sweden

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Publications (52)179.49 Total impact

  • Article: MODIFICATION OF RADIATION INDUCED DAMAGE IN BARLEY SEEDS BY THERMAL ENERGY
    Canadian Journal of Genetics and Cytology. 01/2011; 2(2):129-141.
  • Article: RADIATION RESPONSE OF SOAKED BARLEY SEEDS
    Hereditas 07/2010; 46(1‐2):152 - 170. · 0.79 Impact Factor
  • Article: Interaction of the mutagenic metabolite of sodium azide, synthesized in vitro, with DNA of barley embryos.
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    ABSTRACT: The in vitro synthesized sodium azide mutagenic metabolite (azidoalanine) produced single-strand breaks and proteinase K-sensitive sites in isolated, germinating barley embryos. In contrast with sodium azide, the efficiency of DNA damage induction was lower, and both types of DNA lesions were totally or partially repaired in the course of subsequent 24 h incubation of the embryos. The mutagenic azide metabolite did not inhibit DNA replication, while azide did so even at doses which are not highly mutagenic. The metabolite labelled with 14C at the amino acid residue was taken up with a similar efficiency both into barley embryos germinating for 2 days and into cells of Salmonella typhimurium TA100. The majority of the radioactivity was incorporated into proteins, less into RNA and a negligible amount into DNA.
    Mutation Research/Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis 12/1987; 181(1):73-9. · 2.85 Impact Factor
  • Article: Synthesis and mutagenicity of the two stereoisomers of an azide metabolite (azidoalanine).
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    ABSTRACT: The L- and D-isomers of azidoalanine (azide metabolite) have been chemically synthesized with 60% yield using corresponding N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-serine as starting materials. The mutagenic properties of synthesized L-azidoalanine are very similar to those of azide and in vivo synthesized azidoalanine. Synthetic D-azidoalanine shows very low mutagenic activity on Salmonella typhimurium TA1530 strain compared to that of the L-isomer. Thus a stereoselective process is involved in azidoalanine mutagenicity. The data presented in this study suggest that further biochemical activation is required for L-azidoalanine to produce its mutagenic activity.
    Mutation Research/Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis 12/1986; 175(3):121-6. · 2.85 Impact Factor
  • Article: A mutagenic metabolite synthesized by Salmonella typhimurium grown in the presence of azide is azidoalanine.
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    ABSTRACT: A mutagenic azide metabolite was purified from the medium in which Salmonella typhimurium cells were grown in the presence of azide. This metabolite was identified to be azidoalanine based on infrared and mass spectroscopy and elemental analysis. This compound appeared to be identical to the mutagenic compound synthesized in vitro from azide and O-acetylserine by partially purified O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase. The metabolite (azidoalanine) mutagenic efficiency and spectrum in S. typhimurium was similar to that of inorganic azide. The compounds 2-azidoethylamine, 2-bromoethylamine, 3-bromopropionic acid and N-(azidomethyl) phthalimide were also mutagenic with a similar spectrum to azide and azidoalanine, but with lower efficiency. The compounds 3-azidopropylamine, 4-azidobutylamine, 3-chloroalanine and ethylamine were only weakly or nonmutagenic. Numerous other chloro, bromo and azido phthalimide derivatives tested were nonmutagenic. It is suggested that the lack of azide mutagenicity (and perhaps carcinogenicity) in mammalian cells may be due to their inability to convert azide to azidoalanine.
    Mutation Research/Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis 10/1983; 118(4):229-39. · 2.85 Impact Factor
  • Article: Lack of induction of single-strand breaks in mammalian cells by sodium azide and its proximal mutagen.
    P Arenaz, R A Nilan, A Kleinhofs
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: The mutagenicity of sodium azide in both higher plants and bacteria is well documented. However, in mammalian cells, research on the effects of azide on gene mutations has produced conflicting results. Furthermore, no research has been conducted on the effects of azide and its proximal mutagen (mutagenic metabolite) on DNA single-strand breaks. Experiments were designed to overcome this lack of information on azide mutagenicity and to evaluate the potential hazard of azide exposure to man. Chinese hamster V79 cells were treated with either azide or its proximal mutagen(s) for 2 or 6 h, respectively, and analyzed by alkaline elution for single-strand breaks. The data showed that neither azide nor the proximal mutagen(s) induced single-strand DNA breaks or DNA-protein cross-links. Therefore it appears that neither azide nor its proximal mutagen(s) interact directly with DNA and this suggests that azide may be an indirect-acting mutagen. Furthermore, this lack of interaction with DNA may account for azide's lack of carcinogenicity.
    Mutation Research/Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis 04/1983; 116(3-4):423-9. · 2.85 Impact Factor
  • Article: In vitro production of azide mutagenic metabolite in Arabidopsis, Drosophila and Neurospora.
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    ABSTRACT: The ability of Arabidopsis, Drosophila and Neurospora to convert azide to its mutagenic metabolite was investigated. Cultures of these organisms all contained significant levels of O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase activity. Extracts from each organism produced a product from O-acetylserine and azide in vitro which was mutagenic in Salmonella typhimurium TA1530.
    Mutation Research/Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis 04/1983; 119(3):281-5. · 2.85 Impact Factor
  • Article: In vitro synthesis of a mutagenic azide metabolite by cell-free bacterial extracts.
    W M Owais, A Kleinhofs, R A Nilan
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    ABSTRACT: Cell-free extracts of Salmonella typhimurium synthesize a mutagenic azide metabolite from sodium azide and O-acetylserine. S. typhimurium mutant DW379 (O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase-deficient) extracts were neither able to carry out this reaction not produce the mutagenic azide metabolite in vivo. The in vitro reaction was inhibited by sulfide but not by L-cysteine. The catalytic activity responsible for the mutagenic metabolite synthesis was stable to brief heating up to 55 degrees C and had a pH optimum between 7-7.4. These results suggest that the enzyme O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase catalyzes the reaction of azide with O-acetylserine to form a mutagenic azide metabolite.
    Mutation Research/Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis 01/1982; 84(2):239-46. · 2.85 Impact Factor
  • Article: Isolation of an azide mutagenic metabolite in Salmonella typhimurium.
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    ABSTRACT: A scheme that employs a cation-exchange column and high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) is devised to isolate and process large quantities of azide metabolite produced by S. typhimurium TA1530 strain. The mutagenic metabolite adheres strongly to the cation-exchange column, thus providing a convenient way to separate the metabolite from unreacted azide (N3-). The metabolite is very polar and only sparingly soluble in most organic solvents. Recrystallization in a methanol-carbon tetrachloride solvent system gave rise to microcrystalline material that decomposes with charring and gas evolution at 173-176 degrees C. The infrared spectrum indicates the presence of a covalently bound azide moiety.
    Mutation Research/Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis 06/1981; 91(3):155-61. · 2.85 Impact Factor
  • Article: Effect of sodium azide on sister-chromatid exchanges in human lymphocytes and Chinese hamster cells.
    P Arenaz, R A Nilan
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    ABSTRACT: Previous reports from this laboratory and others indicate that sodium azide is a unique mutagen. It is highly mutagenic in S. typhimurium TA1530 as well as in barley, rice, peas, yeast and Chinese hamster V79 cells. However, azide apparently does not produce chromosome breaks in barley, Vicia or human lymphocytes. Therefore, a study of the effects of azide on sister-chromatid exchanges (SCE) appeared warranted. Human whole blood and Chinese hamster K1 cell line were exposed for 4 and 2 h resp. to various concentrations of sodium azide ranging from 10(-3) to 10(-7) M. Cells were harvested and chromosomes stained by the FPG technique. In human lymphocytes, concentrations above 10(-4) induced lethality whereas the K1 cell line was sensitive to concentrations above 10(-5) M. The lower concentrations of azide produced no significant increase in SCE frequency above controls. Concurrent mitomycin C treatments produced significant increases in SCE levels. This apparent lack of induction of SCEs above background combined with previous data demonstrating negative clastogenic but very positive mutagenic activity of azide confirms the uniqueness of this mutagen. It would appear that azide is one of the few known potent mutagens that does not increase SCEs and/or break chromosomes.
    Mutation Research/Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis 03/1981; 88(2):217-21. · 2.85 Impact Factor
  • Article: An improved method for the detection of Mutants at the waxy locus in Hordeum vulgare.
    Environmental Mutagenesis 02/1981; 3(1):91-3.
  • Source
    Article: Pollen genetic markers for detection of mutagens in the environment.
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    ABSTRACT: To utilize and exploit pollen for in situ mutagen monitoring, screening and toxicology, the range of genetic traits in pollen must be identified and analyzed. Traits that can be considered include ornamentation, shape and form, male sterility viability, intraspecific incompatibility, proteins and starch deposition. To be useful for the development of mutagen detection systems proteins should be: (1) activity stainable or immunologically identifiable in the pollen, (2) the products of one to three loci, and (3) gametophytic and nuclear in origin. Several proteins including alcohol dehydrogenase in maize, which meet those criteria will be discussed. The waxy locus in barley and maize which controls starch deposition has been characterized genetically and methods have been developed for pollen screening and mutant detection. At Washington State University a waxy pollen system is being developed in barley for in situ mutagen monitoring. The basis is an improved method for staining and scoring waxy pollen mutants. Specific base substitution, frameshift, and deletion mutant lines are being developed to provide information about the nature of the mutations induced by environmental mutagens. Thirty waxy mutant lines, induced by sodium azide and gamma-rays have been selected and are being characterized for spontaneous and induced reversion frequencies, allelism, karyotype, amylose content, and UDP glucose glucosyltransferase (waxy gene product) activity. Twelve mutant alleles are being mapped by recombinant frequencies.
    Environmental Health Perspectives 02/1981; 37:19-25. · 7.04 Impact Factor
  • Source
    Article: Ontogeny of the barley plant as related to mutation expression and detection of pollen mutations.
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    ABSTRACT: Clustering of mutant pollen grains in a population of normal pollen due to premeiotic mutational events complicates translating mutation frequencies into rates. Embryo ontogeny in barley will be described and used to illustrate the formation of such mutant clusters. The nature of the statistics for mutation frequency will be described from a study of the reversion frequencies of various waxy mutants in barley. Computer analysis by a "jackknife" method of the reversion frequencies of a waxy mutant treated with the mutagen sodium azide showed a significantly higher reversion frequency than untreated material. Problems of the computer analysis suggest a better experimental design for pollen mutation experiments. Preliminary work on computer modeling for pollen development and mutation will be described.
    Environmental Health Perspectives 02/1981; 37:5-7. · 7.04 Impact Factor
  • Article: Effects of L-cysteine and O-acetyl-L-serine in the synthesis and mutagenicity of azide metabolite.
    W M Owais, A Kleinhofs, R A Nilan
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    ABSTRACT: The ability of L-cysteine to inhibit azide-metabolite synthesis and mutagenicity is investigated in Salmonella typhimurium TA1530 and cys E6 strains. L-cysteine specifically inhibits the synthesis of the mutagenic azide metabolite as other compounds containing SH group did not affect the production of this metabolite. Azide mutagenicity is completely inhibited by L-cysteine at a concentration (5 mumoles/plate) where the metabolite mutagenicity was not affected. O-Acetyl-L-serine can reverse the L-cysteine mediated inhibition of the metabolite synthesis and thus mutagenicity in the same strains. These results suggest that O-acetyl-L-serine may be required to synthesize the azide metabolite or its precursor.
    Mutation Research/Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis 02/1981; 80(1):99-104. · 2.85 Impact Factor
  • Article: Mutagenic azide metabolite is azidoalanine
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Sodium axide produces high mutation rates in a number of species. Azide mutagenicity is mediated through a metabolite in barley and bacteria. Many studies showed that azide affects the L-cysteine biosynthesis pathway. Cell-free extracts of Salmonella typhimurium convert azide and O-acetylserine to the mutagenic metabolite. O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase was identified as the enzyme responsible for the metabolite biosynthesis. To confirm the conclusion that the azide metabolite is formed through the ..beta..-substitution pathway of L-cysteine, we radioactively labeled the azide metabolite using /sup 14/C-labeled precursors. Moreover, the mutagenic azide metabolite was purified and identified as azidoalanine based on mass spectroscopy and elemental analysis. 26 refs., 3 figs., 1 tab.
    12/1980;
  • Article: In vivo conversion of sodium azide to a stable mutagenic metabolite in Salmonella typhimurium.
    W M Owais, A Kleinhofs, R A Nilan
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    ABSTRACT: Salmonella typhimurium TA1530 and G46 strains growing in minimal medium supplemented with sodium azide produce a stable mutagenic metabolite which is not azide. The production of this metabolite is restricted to the log phase of bacteria grown in the presence of azide. The metabolite is highly mutagenic in DNA-repair defective base-substitution strains TA1530 and TA1535, but ineffective in frameshift strains TA1538 and TA1537. The metabolite induces mutations in resting cells of the TA1530 strain.
    Mutation Research/Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis 10/1979; 68(1):15-22. · 2.85 Impact Factor
  • Article: Mutagenic and chromosome-breaking effects of azide in barley and human leukocytes.
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    ABSTRACT: Azide (10-3 M, solution buffered at pH 3) is more effective in inducing mutations in embryonic shoots of seeds germinated between 8 and 16 h than in non-germinated seeds and in seeds germinated between 0 and 8 h and 16 to 28 h. This peak of chlorophyll-deficient seedling mutation frequency coincides with maximum frequencies of seeding lethals and DNA replication in the cells of the embryonic shoot. The mutation data suggest azide may only act on replicating DNA. Azide induced no chromosome-aberration frequencies significantly above controls in (1) embryonic shoots of barley seeds germinated for 8--12 h, (2) microspores of barley and (3) human leukocytes. It appears to be a point-mutation mutagen.
    Mutation Research/Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis 05/1978; 50(1):67-75. · 2.85 Impact Factor
  • Article: Azide.
    A Kleinhofs, W M Owais, R A Nilan
    Mutation Research/Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis 02/1978; 55(3-4):165-95. · 2.85 Impact Factor
  • Conference Proceeding: Azide mutagenesis in barley
    R.A. Nilan, A. Kleinhofs, C. Sander
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    ABSTRACT: This paper reports results of experiments to test two possibilities related to azide's mutagenic action and to determine the effect of this mutagen on barley chromosomes. It also briefly describes results from a concurrent investigation of the effect of azide on bacteria DNA in vitro and in vivo. The latter are included since they are helping to provide a basic understanding of the action of azide and the nature of mutations it induces in barley.
    12/1975
  • Article: Registration of Vanguard Barley1 (Reg. No. 135)
    R. A. Nilan, C. E. Muir
    Crop Science - CROP SCI. 01/1973; 13(6).

Institutions

  • 2010
    • Lund University
      Lund, Skane, Sweden
  • 1954–2010
    • Washington State University
      Pullman, WA, USA
  • 1983
    • Temple University
      Philadelphia, PA, USA