Past exposure to densely ionizing radiation leaves a unique permanent signature in the genome |
| |
Authors: | Hande M Prakash Azizova Tamara V Geard Charles R Burak Ludmilla E Mitchell Catherine R Khokhryakov Valentin F Vasilenko Evgeny K Brenner David J |
| |
Institution: | Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA. |
| |
Abstract: | Speculation has long surrounded the question of whether past exposure to ionizing radiation leaves a unique permanent signature in the genome. Intrachromosomal rearrangements or deletions are produced much more efficiently by densely ionizing radiation than by chemical mutagens, x-rays, or endogenous aging processes. Until recently, such stable intrachromosomal aberrations have been very hard to detect, but a new chromosome band painting technique has made their detection practical. We report the detection and quantification of stable intrachromosomal aberrations in lymphocytes of healthy former nuclear-weapons workers who were exposed to plutonium many years ago. Even many years after occupational exposure, more than half the blood cells of the healthy plutonium workers contain large (>6 Mb) intrachromosomal rearrangements. The yield of these aberrations was highly correlated with plutonium dose to the bone marrow. The control groups contained very few such intrachromosomal aberrations. Quantification of this large-scale chromosomal damage in human populations exposed many years earlier will lead to new insights into the mechanisms and risks of cytogenetic damage. |
| |
Keywords: | |
本文献已被 ScienceDirect PubMed 等数据库收录! |
|