Clustered DNA damages as dosemeters for ionising radiation exposure and biological responses

B. M. Sutherland, P. V. Bennett, M. Saparbaev, J. C. Sutherland, J. Laval, R. J. Preston

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

19 Scopus citations

Abstract

Clustered DNA damages-two or more lesions (oxidised bases, abasic sites, or strand breaks) within a few DNA helical turns on opposing strands - are induced in DNA in solution and in vivo in human cells by ionising radiation. They have been postulated to be difficult to repair, and thus of potentially high biological significance. Since the total of clustered damages produced by ionising radiation is at about 3 to 4 times higher levels than double-strand breaks and are apparently absent in unirradiated cells, levels of clustered damages present immediately after radiation exposure could serve as sensitive dosemeters of radiation exposure. Since some cluster may not be repairable and may accumulate in cells, they might also be useful as integrating dosemeters of biological effects of radiation damage.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)33-38
Number of pages6
JournalRadiation Protection Dosimetry
Volume97
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2001
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Radiation
  • Radiological and Ultrasound Technology
  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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