Detection of large deletions of mitochondrial DNA in tissues of mice exposed to X-rays

Large mtDNA deletions in mouse brain and spleen cells, induced by X-radiation at doses of 2 and 5 Gy were studied within four weeks after the exposure of animals to X-rays. Variations in the content of extracellular (deletion) mtDNA were examined in the blood plasma of mice irradiated with 5 Gy in the same postirradiation times. Ionizing radiation was shown to effectively induce large mtDNA deletions at the doses chosen. The level of deletion mtDNA was dependent on dose and postirradiation time.