Evidence for the internucleosomal breakage of chromatin in rat thymocytes irradiated in vitro

Journal Article · Sun Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1981 · Radiat. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/3575424· OSTI ID:6395249

Yamada, T; Ohyama, H; Kinjo, Y; Watanabe, M

Low molecular-weight (free) DNA increases in lymphatic cells in association with radiation-induced interphase death. In this report, the size of the free DNA from rat thymocytes irradiated in vitro with 1-kR x rays was analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis and compared with that of the DNA fragments extracted from micrococcal nuclease-digested thymocyte nuclei and with that of HaeIII-digested phi X-174 RF DNA. Results demonstrated clearly that the free DNA consisted of a series of discretely sized DNA fragments with lengths that were integral multiples of a nucleosomal DNA (180 base pairs), suggesting that internucleosomal chromatin breaks occurred in rat thymocytes after in vitro irradiation. Additional evidence was obtained from an electron microscopic observation on the breakdown of chromatin strands into particle form in the irradiated cells.

• Research Organization: National Inst. of Radiological Sciences, Chiba, Japan
• OSTI ID: 6395249
• Journal Information: Radiat. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: Radiat. Res.; (United States) Vol. 85:3; ISSN RAREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560111 -- Radiation Effects on Biochemicals-- In Vitro-- (-1987)
560121* -- Radiation Effects on Cells-- External Source-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMAL CELLS
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
CHROMATIN
DNA
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTROPHORESIS
EXTERNAL IRRADIATION
IN VITRO
IONIZING RADIATIONS
IRRADIATION
MAMMALS
NUCLEIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATIONS
RADIOINDUCTION
RADIOSENSITIVITY
RATS
RODENTS
SOMATIC CELLS
STRAND BREAKS
THYMOCYTES
VERTEBRATES
X RADIATION