Micronucleus induction by 60Co gamma-rays and fast neutrons in ataxia telangiectasia lymphocytes

Int J Radiat Biol. 1996 Aug;70(2):171-6. doi: 10.1080/095530096145166.

Abstract

Ataxia telangiectasia (AT) is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by a progressive neuronal degeneration, immunodeficiency, cancer proneness and an extreme sensitivity to ionizing radiation. In this work, micronucleus dose-response curves for lymphocytes of normal and AT individuals, exposed in G(zero) to low LET gamma-rays and high LET fast neutrons, are compared. After gamma-irradiation, the micronucleus yields for AT lymphocytes are strongly increased compared with controls. The micronucleus dose-response curve for AT cells shows a linear dependence instead of a linear-quadratic one which is found for normal cells. After neutron irradiation, the increase in micronucleus yield above controls is less pronounced than with gamma-rays and the micronucleus dose-response curves are linear, as expected. The high increase in micronucleus yield compared with controls after gamma-irradiation further suggests the application of the micronucleus assay as a diagnostic tool for ataxia telangiectasia.

MeSH terms

  • Ataxia Telangiectasia / genetics*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cobalt Radioisotopes
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation
  • Fast Neutrons*
  • Gamma Rays
  • Humans
  • Linear Energy Transfer
  • Lymphocytes / radiation effects*
  • Lymphocytes / ultrastructure
  • Micronuclei, Chromosome-Defective / radiation effects*
  • Micronucleus Tests

Substances

  • Cobalt Radioisotopes