Genetic damage at specific gene loci in Drosophila with betatron x-rays

Journal Article · Sat Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1975 · Genetics, v. 81, no. 3, pp. 493-500

OSTI ID:4167532

Alexander, M L

The mutation rate was determined for mature sperm at eight specific gene loci on the third chromosome of Drosophila melanogaster using the low ion density radiations of 22 MeV betatron x rays. A dose of 3000 rads of betatron x rays produced a mutation rate of 4.36 x 10$sup -8$ per rad/locus. Among the mutations observed, 66 percent were recessive lethals and 34 percent viable when homozygous. Only one of the 24 viable mutations was associated with a chromosome aberration. Among the 47 recessive lethals, no two-break aberrations were detected in 48.9 percent of the lethals, deletions were associated with 42.2 percent, inversions with 6.7 percent and translocations with 2.2 percent. When these genetic results are compared to those for 250 KV x rays, the mutation rate for betatron treatments was slightly lower (.76), the recessive lethal rate among induced mutations was higher, and the chromosome aberrations among lethal mutations were slightly lower than with 250 KV x rays. Although the two types of irradiations differ by an ion density of approximately ten, the amount and types of inheritable genetic damage induced by the two radiations in mature sperm were not significantly different. (auth)

• Research Organization: Southwest Texas State Univ., San Marcos
• NSA Number: NSA-33-005805
• OSTI ID: 4167532
• Journal Information: Genetics, v. 81, no. 3, pp. 493-500, Journal Name: Genetics, v. 81, no. 3, pp. 493-500; ISSN GENTA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

*DROSOPHILA-- BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
*MUTANTS-- RADIOINDUCTION
560153* --Biomedical Sciences
Applied Studies--Radiation Effects--Radiation Effects on Animals--Invertebrates
CHROMOSOMAL ABERRATIONS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
ENERGY RANGE
IRRADIATION
KEV RANGE 100-1000
MEV RANGE 10-100
MUTATION FREQUENCY
N48530* --Life Sciences--Radiation Effects on Animals-- Invertebrates
RADIATION DOSES
SPERMATOZOA
X RADIATION