Variable protection by OH scavengers against radiation-induced inactivation of isolated transcriptionally active chromatin: the influence of secondary radicals

Journal Article · Fri Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1988 · Radiat. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/3577141· OSTI ID:7189933

Herskind, C; Westergaard, O

Isolated r-chromatin, the chromatin form of the extrachromosomal gene coding for the rRNA precursor in Tetrahymena, has been used to study radiation-induced inactivation in vitro in the presence of the OH radical scavengers, t-butanol, formate ions, and methanol. Induction of biologically important DNA lesions was detected by the effect on transcription by endogenous RNA polymerases associated with the isolated r-chromatin. The OH scavengers were found to give strong protection in the presence of oxygen as anticipated from previous results obtained with this system. By contrast, only a modest protection was observed under 100% N/sub 2/ or 100% N/sub 2/O, and the level of protection was different for each scavenger. The data suggest that secondary radicals may inactivate r-chromatin under anoxia. In the presence of oxygen, the secondary radicals react with O/sub 2/ to form organic peroxy radicals (or O/sub 2/-) which seem to be less reactive. Since the protective effect of the OH scavengers varies with the gassing conditions, the dose modifying effects of O/sub 2/ and N/sub 2/O relative to N/sub 2/ depend on the identity and concentration of OH scavenger. The implications for radiation-chemical studies on DNA and living cells are discussed.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Aarhus (Denmark)
• OSTI ID: 7189933
• Journal Information: Radiat. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: Radiat. Res.; (United States) Vol. 114:1; ISSN RAREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560120* -- Radiation Effects on Biochemicals
Cells
& Tissue Culture
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
ANOXIA
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
CHEMISTRY
CHROMATIN
CILIATA
DNA
ELEMENTS
ENZYMES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROXIDES
IN VITRO
INVERTEBRATES
MICROORGANISMS
NITROGEN
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN DIOXIDE
NITROGEN OXIDES
NONMETALS
NUCLEIC ACIDS
NUCLEOTIDYLTRANSFERASES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHOSPHORUS-GROUP TRANSFERASES
POLYMERASES
PROTOZOA
RADIATION CHEMISTRY
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATION PROTECTION
RADICALS
RNA POLYMERASES
TETRAHYMENA
TRANSCRIPTION
TRANSFERASES