Advances in the Current Understanding of How Low-Dose Radiation Affects the Cell Cycle

Md Gulam Musawwir Khan; Yi Wang

doi:10.3390/cells11030356

Advances in the Current Understanding of How Low-Dose Radiation Affects the Cell Cycle

Cells. 2022 Jan 21;11(3):356. doi: 10.3390/cells11030356.

Authors

Md Gulam Musawwir Khan¹, Yi Wang^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Radiobiology and Health, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL), Chalk River, ON K0J 1J0, Canada.
² Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada.

Abstract

Cells exposed to ionizing radiation undergo a series of complex responses, including DNA damage, reproductive cell death, and altered proliferation states, which are all linked to cell cycle dynamics. For many years, a great deal of research has been conducted on cell cycle checkpoints and their regulators in mammalian cells in response to high-dose exposures to ionizing radiation. However, it is unclear how low-dose ionizing radiation (LDIR) regulates the cell cycle progression. A growing body of evidence demonstrates that LDIR may have profound effects on cellular functions. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of how LDIR (of up to 200 mGy) regulates the cell cycle and cell-cycle-associated proteins in various cellular settings. In light of current findings, we also illustrate the conceptual function and possible dichotomous role of p21^Waf1, a transcriptional target of p53, in response to LDIR.

Keywords: LDIR; cancer; cell cycle; hormesis; p21Waf1(CDKN1A).

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Cell Cycle
Cell Cycle Proteins*
Cell Division
Mammals
Radiation, Ionizing*

Substances

Cell Cycle Proteins