Genetic variation in resistance to ionizing radiation. Final report, January 1, 1990--December 31, 1992

Technical Report · Thu Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1992

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/10168715· OSTI ID:10168715

Ayala, F. J.

Results of an investigation of the gene coding for Cu, Zn superoxide dismutase (Sod) in Drosophila melanogaster seeking to understand the enzyme`s role in cell protection against ionizing radiation are reported. Components of the investigation include molecular characterization of the gene; measuring the response of different genotypes to increasing levels of radiation; and investigation of the processes that maintain the Sod polymorphism in populations. While two alleles, S and F, are commonly found at the Sod locus in natural populations of D. melanogaster we have isolated from a natural population a null (CA1) mutant that yields only 3.5% of normal SOD activity. The S, F, and CA1 alleles provide a model system to investigate SOD-dependent radioresistance, because each allele yields different levels of SOD, so that S > F >> CAl. The radioprotective effects of SOD can be established by showing protective effects for the various genotypes that correspond to those inequalities. Because the allele variants studied are derived from natural populations, the proposed investigation avoids problems that arise when mutants obtained my mutagenesis are used. Moreover, each allele is studied in multiple genetic backgrounds, so that we correct for effects attributable to other loci by randomizing these effects.

• Research Organization: California Univ., Irvine, CA (United States). Dept. of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: FG03-88ER60713
• OSTI ID: 10168715
• Report Number(s): DOE/ER/60713--T4; ON: DE93017834
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AMINO ACID SEQUENCE
BIOCHEMISTRY
CESIUM 137
DROSOPHILA
ENZYME ACTIVITY
GAMMA RADIATION
GENETIC VARIABILITY
GENETICS
LETHAL MUTATIONS
OOCYTES
PROGRESS REPORT
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOSENSITIVITY
SUPEROXIDE DISMUTASE