Induced mitotic homologous recombination by the babesicide imidocarb dipropionate in Aspergillus nidulans diploid cells

Imidocarb dipropionate (IMD) is a chemotherapeutic agent prescribed for the treatment and control of babesiosis; it is known to be a nucleic acid synthesis inhibitor. Although it is an effective babesicide, there are reports of persistent IMD residues retained at high levels in edible tissues of cattle, swine and sheep, raising concerns about potential effects on humans. Since the carcinogenic potential of a chemical compound can be assessed through its effect on the homologous recombination, we investigated whether IMD is recombinogenic in Aspergillus nidulans diploid cells and whether it is capable of inducing homozygosis in genes that were previously heterozygous. This analysis was done with a homozygotization assay applied to a heterozygous diploid strain of A. nidulans. IMD used at non-toxic concentrations (2.5 to 10.0 μM) was recombinogenic, demonstrated by homozygotization indices higher than 2.0 for diploid markers. A diploid homozygous for genetic markers from chromosomes I and II was also produced. Since DNA replication blockers that induce DNA strand breaks have been classified as potent inducers of homologous recombination, the recombinogenic potential of IMD may be due to induction of recombinational repair.