Expression profile of DNA damage signaling genes in 2 Gy proton exposed mouse brain

Mol Cell Biochem. 2010 Aug;341(1-2):207-15. doi: 10.1007/s11010-010-0451-4. Epub 2010 Apr 11.

Abstract

Exposure of living systems to radiation results in a wide assortment of lesions, the most significant of is damage to genomic DNA which alter specific cell functions including cell proliferation. The radiation induced DNA damage investigation is one of the important area in biology, but still the information available regarding the effects of proton is very limited. In this report, we investigated the differential gene expression pattern of DNA damage signaling genes such as damaged DNA binding, repair, cell cycle arrest, checkpoints and apoptosis using quantitative real-time RT-PCR in proton exposed mouse brain tissues. The expression profiles showed significant changes in DNA damage related genes in 2 Gy proton exposed mouse brain tissues as compared to control brain tissues. Furthermore, we also show that significantly increased levels of apoptotic related genes, caspase-3 and 8 activities in these cells, suggesting that in addition to differential expression of DNA damage genes, the alteration of apoptosis related genes may also contribute to the radiation induced DNA damage followed by programmed cell death. In summary, our findings suggest that proton exposed cells undergo severe DNA damage which in turn destabilize the chromatin stability.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / genetics*
  • Apoptosis / radiation effects
  • Brain / radiation effects*
  • DNA Damage / genetics*
  • DNA Damage / radiation effects
  • DNA Fragmentation
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation
  • Gene Expression Profiling*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Protons / adverse effects
  • Signal Transduction / genetics

Substances

  • Protons