Actinomycin D induced chromosome breakage and suppression of meiosis in the locust, Schistocerca gregaria

Abstract

Treatment with Actinomycin D has been found to induce chromosome breakage in the spermatocytes of the locust. The broken ends appear not to have the capacity to reunite or to restitute. The treatment with this chemical has also been found to affect the development of the potential spermatocytes so that they fail to enter meiosis. The expected meiotic sequence is found to be replaced by a mitotic division. It has been concluded that both chromosomal aberrations and the effect on development of spermatocytes result from disorganization of the synthetic apparatus of the cells.