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Genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of pethoxamid herbicide on Allium cepa cells and its molecular docking studies to unravel genotoxicity mechanism

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Abstract

Pethoxamid is chloroacetamide herbicide. Pethoxamid is commonly used to kill different weeds in various crops. Pethoxamid can leach in the water and soil and can cause toxic effects to other non-target species. Current study is therefore aimed to perform the investigation of the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of pethoxamid on Allium cepa cells.The root growth, mitotic index (MI), chromosomal aberrations (CAs), and DNA damage were assessed through root growth inhibition, A. cepa ana-telophase, and alkaline comet assays, respectively. Furthermore, molecular docking was performed to evaluate binding affinity of pethoxamid on DNA and very-long-chain fatty acid (VLCFA) synthases. In root growth inhibition test, onion root length was statistically significantly decreased in a concentration dependent manner. Concentration- and time-dependent decreases in MI were observed, whereas increase in CAs such as disturbed ana-telophase, chromosome laggards, stickiness, anaphase bridges, and DNA damage was caused by the pethoxamid on A. cepa root cells. Molecular docking revealed that pethoxamid binds selectively to GC-rich regions in the minor groove of the DNA structure and showed remarkable binding affinity against all synthases taking part in the sequential biosynthesis of VLCFAs. It was concluded that the pethoxamid-induced genotoxicity and cytotoxicity may be through multiple binding ability of this herbicide with DNA and VLCFA synthases.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Molecular Biology and Genetics Department, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Uşak University, 1 Eylül Campus, 64300, Usak, Turkey

    Recep Liman

  2. Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, 54000, Pakistan

    Muhammad Muddassir Ali

  3. Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Literature, Cukurova University, 01330, Adana, Turkey

    Erman Salih Istifli

  4. Molecular Biology and Genetics Department, Faculty of Science and Literatures, Afyon Kocatepe University, 03200, Afyon, Turkey

    İbrahim Hakkı Ciğerci

  5. Department of Agricultural and Forestry Technology, Faculty of Agronomy, University of Craiova, 13 A.I. Cuza Street, 200585, Craiova, Romania

    Elena Bonciu

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  1. Recep Liman
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  2. Muhammad Muddassir Ali
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  3. Erman Salih Istifli
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  4. İbrahim Hakkı Ciğerci
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Contributions

Idea was conceived, and supervision was carried by Recep Liman. Data analysis and drafting of article was done by Muhammad Muddassir Ali. Experiments were performed by İbrahim Hakkı Ciğerci and Recep Liman. Molecular docking was performed by Erman Salih Istifli. Editing and proofreading of data were carried by Elena Bonciu.

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Correspondence to Muhammad Muddassir Ali.

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Liman, R., Ali, M.M., Istifli, E.S. et al. Genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of pethoxamid herbicide on Allium cepa cells and its molecular docking studies to unravel genotoxicity mechanism. Environ Sci Pollut Res 29, 63127–63140 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-20166-5

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