Target size analysis by radiation inactivation: a large capacity tube rack for irradiation in a Gammacell 220

Target size analysis by radiation inactivation is now a well-established method to study structure-function relationships in biologically active macromolecules without prior purification or even solubilization. Recently, it was reported that a relatively low-dose-rate but commonly available gamma source such as the Gammacell 220 (Atomic Energy of Canada, Ltd.) can be used to carry out radiation inactivation experiments providing it is appropriately calibrated with enzymes of known radiation sensitivities (G. Beauregard and M. Potier (1982) Anal. Biochem. 122, 379-384). In this report, a tube rack designed to fit into the irradiation chamber of the Gammacell 220 which allows five experiments (at 30 tubes per experiment) to be carried out simultaneously with both standard and unknown samples is described. The dose rates delivered at different positions in the rack were determined by irradiating rat liver cytosolic neuraminidase, an enzyme of known radiation sensitivity. A better than 2.7% agreement was obtained between experimental dose rate and computed values from isodose curves previously published by other authors (O. A. Curzio and H. O. Quaranta (1982) Int. J. Appl. Radiat. Isot. 33, 1-3).