Molecular approach to evaluate the genotoxicity of glyphosate (roundup) using mosquito genome

Glyphosate, an active ingredient in Roundup is a broad spectrum, systemic and non -selective herbicide which is commonly used for eliminating weeds in agriculture and forest landscapes. The present studies deal with the evaluation of the genotoxic potential of Glyphosate with two different dose concentration of LD20 and LD40 on a mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus taken as an experimental model. For this, polymerase chain reaction technique (PCR) was used for detecting DNA damage by amplifying ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS 2) region. The amplified products were sequenced and the results of treated and non-treated controls were compared by using Clustal W software programme. The results were studied in the form of transitions, transversions, deletions and additions of bases. The DNA band amplified from control stocks consisted of 440 bases while those from LD20 and LD40 treated individuals were comprised of 423 and 468 bases respectively. The total number of mutations caused in LD20 treated stock was 205 out of which 68 were transitions, 90 transversions, 32 deletions and 15 additions. In case of LD40 treated individuals, as many as 221 bases had suffered mutations, out of which 66 were transitions, 90 transversions , 12 deletions and 41 additions. In both the cases the rate of transversions was higher than transitions. From these results it was evident that glyphosate has a potential to promote gene mutations in the individuals exposed to its semilethal doses.