Cell estimates of genetic damage repair under the epigenetic effect of the rad201(G1) mutation in Drosophila

Cell estimates of genetic damage repair were obtained to characterize the epigenetic effect of the rad201(G1) mutation. The estimates included morphological defects (malformations); the frequency of chromosome aberrations in somatic cells; and somatic mosaicism, reflecting double-strand break repair via conversion. The range and frequency of malformations significantly differed between the rad201(G1) epigenetic effect and irradiation. A high pupal lethality, detected upon P-element mobilization, was not associated with an increase in the frequency of cells with chromosome aberrations, while somatic mosaicism was far greater. The results are discussed in the context of differences between radiation and P-element mutagenesis.