The mutagenicity of alpha particles in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells.
Cell killing and the induction of mutation to thioguanine resistance (HGPRT enzyme deficiency) were measured after exposure of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells to 150-kV X rays and 241Am alpha particles. The curve describing the induction of mutations was almost linear after exposure to alpha particles (slope: 14.1 x 10(-5) Gy-1) but upward bending after exposure to X rays, apparently reaching a final slope to that obtained after exposure to alpha particles. The number of mutants induced per viable cell by alpha particles at a given level of cell killing was similar to that induced by X rays. The RBE values obtained for cell killing and the induction of mutations are compared with each other, and the possible involvement of repair processes in determining the RBE is discussed.
D000512:Alpha Particles; D000576:Americium; D000818:Animals; D002286:Carcinoma, Ehrlich Tumor / Q000473:pathology*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000528:radiation effects; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D004735:Energy Transfer; D009154:Mutation; D011831:Radiation Genetics
D000576:Americium