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Radiation-induced DNA damage and chromatin structureDNA lesions induced by ionizing radiation in cells are clustered and not randomly distributed. For low linear energy transfer (LET) radiation this clustering occurs mainly on the small scales of DNA molecules and nucleosomes. For example, experimental evidence suggests that both strands of DNA on the nucleosomal surface can be damaged in single events and that this damage occurs with a 10-bp modulation because of protection by histones. For high LET radiation, clustering also occurs on a larger scale and depends on chromatin organization. A particularly significant clustering occurs when an ionizing particle traverses the 30 nm chromatin fiber with generation of heavily damaged DNA regions with an average size of about 2 kbp. On an even larger scale, high LET radiation can produce several DNA double-strand breaks in closer proximity than expected from randomness. It is suggested that this increases the probability of misrejoining of DNA ends and generation of lethal chromosome aberrations.
Document ID
20040088575
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Rydberg, B.
(Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Berkeley, CA 94720, United States)
Chatterjee, A.
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2001
Publication Information
Publication: Acta oncologica (Stockholm, Sweden)
Volume: 40
Issue: 6
ISSN: 0284-186X
Subject Category
Aerospace Medicine
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: CA80207
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
Review
Non-NASA Center
Review, Tutorial
NASA Discipline Radiation Health

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