Saturable repair models of radiation action in mammalian cells

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1985 · Radiat. Res., Suppl.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/3583513· OSTI ID:5204035

Goodhead, D T

Most quantitative models of radiation action in mammalian cells make the implicit assumption that all relevant repair processes proceed in a dose-independent manner. Thus it is implicitly assumed that the repair processes (1) follow totally unsaturated kinetics, (2) are not themselves inactivated by the radiation, and (3) are not enhanced by the presence of radiation damage. Contradiction of any of these three assumptions could have important theoretical and practical implications. The possible relevance of (1) and (2) in mammalian cells is discussed by considering a selection of saturable repair (and related) models. Repair inactivation is improbable, but repair saturation provides a ready explanation of common radiobiological phenomena without the need for the existence of sublethal damage. Furthermore, such models can explain additional phenomena which appear as contradictions to some sublethal damage models. Recent experiments by Wheeler and Wierowski have demonstrated the existence of dose-dependent repair of DNA damage in mammalian cells.

• Research Organization: Medical Research Council Radiobiology Unit, Chilton, England
• OSTI ID: 5204035
• Journal Information: Radiat. Res., Suppl.; (United States), Journal Name: Radiat. Res., Suppl.; (United States); ISSN RARSA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560121* -- Radiation Effects on Cells-- External Source-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMAL CELLS
BIOLOGICAL RECOVERY
BIOLOGICAL REPAIR
BIOLOGY
CELL CYCLE
DNA REPAIR
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
RADIOBIOLOGY
RECOVERY
REPAIR