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U.S. Department of Energy
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Analysis of the effects of chemical and physical mutagens on subchromosomal DNA synthesis in cultured mammalian cells. [X rays; uv radiation; MMS]

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5366519
Subchromosomal DNA synthesis in Chinese hamster V-79 cells exposed to methyl methanesulfonate (MMS), x radiation, and ultraviolet (uv) radiation was investigated. The results indicate that these agents disturb DNA synthesis at the replicon level via two mechanisms of action, inhibition of replicon initiation or transient blockage of DNA chain growth. Exposure to uv or to MMS effects both DNA chain growth and initiation. In contrast, the depression in DNA synthetic rate in x-irradiated cells is due exclusively to inhibition of replicon initiation. For the most part, the damage inflicted upon the DNA synthetic apparatus produced by the three agents is repairable. The inhibition of replicon initiation produced by each of the three agents studied appears to be a complex metabolic phenomenon, and speculation regarding several mechanisms by which replicon initiation may be inhibited is elaborated upon in the text. (ERB)
Research Organization:
Rochester Univ., NY (USA). Dept. of Radiation Biology and Biophysics
DOE Contract Number:
AC02-76EV03490
OSTI ID:
5366519
Report Number(s):
UR-3490/LCP-20
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English