Investigation of dna damage occurring in mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis Lamark, 1819) species living in İzmir bay by single cell gel electrophoresis (Comet Assay) method

DNA, which carries genetic information and ensures its transmission from generation to generation, is an easily damaged molecule and damage is constantly occurring on it. Although the damage is repaired by DNA repair systems, too much damage or inadequate repair systems can lead to cell death. Comet assay, a versatile tool for assessing DNA damage, is one of the most widely used tests to evaluate genotoxic effects. In this study, in order to determine the genetic damage in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis), an aquatic indicator species exposed to environmental pollutants, it was aimed to perform single cell gel electrophoresis (Comet Analysis) test in hemolymph cells of mussel samples taken from Urla, Sahilevleri, Pasaport and Alsancak stations selected in Izmir Bay. As a result of the analysis, the % DNA tail lengths in mussel hemocytes were Urla (34,19) > Pasaport (31,32) > Liman (29,57) > Sahilevleri (19,34) in the spring period, while the % DNA tail lengths in the summer period were Liman (22,26) > Pasaport (20,06) > Urla (14,52) > Sahilevleri (13,17). In addition, in the DNA comet damage classification, the genetic damage index was highest at Pasaport (103, 77) and lowest at Liman (76, 53) stations in spring sampling and highest at Liman (77, 92) and lowest at Sahilevleri (65, 09) stations in summer. When the spring and summer periods were compared, it was determined that DNA damage decreased in the summer period in all stations. When the results of the genetic damage index were analyzed, no significant change was observed at Liman station, while a decrease was observed at all other stations. As a result, when the seasonal differences in the amount of DNA damage are examined, it is seen that there is a significant change. The reason for this change can be considered as the periodic increase in environmental pollutants in the stations. While the decrease in DNA damage rate may mean that environmental pollutants have also decreased, it is concluded that the DNA repair mechanism may also be activated.