Radiosensitivity of Mammalian Cells: I. Timing and Dose-Dependence of Radiation-Induced Division Delay

The time of onset and duration of division delay induced by exposure to 250-kvp x-irradiation have been measured in several mammalian cell lines grown in suspension culture. Unique times of action (i.e. interval from irradiation to cessation of division) late in G₂ are characteristic for HeLa, L-5178Y, and Chinese hamster cells, and the time of action is independent of dose over the range 25-800 rads. The duration of delay was directly proportional to dose; all irradiated cells divided at least once and maintained their relative positions in the life cycle for periods exceeding one generation time. Neither random nor synchronous cultures exposed at varying times in the life cycle exhibited differences in radiation sensitivity measured either by onset or duration of the delay period. The time of action was experimentally indistinguishable from the point marking completion of protein synthesis essential for division, leading to speculation that division delay involves a translation defect.