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Induction and repair of DNA strand breaks and 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine-detectable sites in 40-75 kVp X-irradiated compared to /sup 60/Co gamma-irradiated human cell lines

Journal Article · · Radiat. Res.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/3577153· OSTI ID:6937074

We have compared the initial yield and subsequent enzymatic repair of DNA strand breaks and 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine (araC)-detectable sites in cultured human cell lines after irradiation with soft (40-75 kVp) X rays and hard (/sup 60/Co) gamma rays, two forms of low-LET radiation whose average ionization densities differ by 15-fold. Incubation of X- or gamma-irradiated cell cultures in the presence of araC resulted in the accumulation of DNA single-strand interruptions, as measured by conventional velocity sedimentation analysis in alkaline sucrose gradients. Since the drug is a selective inhibitor of DNA polymerase alpha, this observation implicates polymerase alpha in the repair of radiogenic damage. Specifically, DNA repair analysis in X-ray-treated cells suggested that polymerase alpha is a key participant in the repair of a distinct, albeit structurally undefined, class of radioproducts (presumably a combination of double-strand breaks and alkali-stable lesions, but takes little, if any, part in the restitution of single-strand breaks induced by ionizing radiation. Accordingly, the drug did not significantly inhibit the repair of DNA damage in cultures exposed to less than or equal to 100 Gy of gamma radiation. A remarkable difference was evident with respect to the absolute yields of these two major classes of DNA injury--that is, araC-detectable sites and single-strand breaks--depending on the type of radiation administered. For the same dose, the level of araC-detectable sites found in cells treated with gamma rays was as much as 3.4 times lower than that observed in X-ray-exposed cells.

Research Organization:
Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton, Alberta (Canada)
OSTI ID:
6937074
Journal Information:
Radiat. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: Radiat. Res.; (United States) Vol. 114:1; ISSN RAREA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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