Estimation of DNA single-strand breaks by single cells gel electrophoresis in tumor cells.
To estimate the frequency of single-strand breaks on a single cell level the so-called comet-assay (single cell gel electrophoresis) is a well-established technique. We present a modified protocol suitable for testing primary tumors, a kind of tissue very uneasy to be analysed in former single cell gel electrophoresis assays. Tumor cells of 12 studied cases showed a typical dose-rate effect on in vitro irradiation with different X-ray doses, as observed in peripheral blood leukocytes. Interestingly, the repair capability of primary tumor cells was lower than that of peripheral blood leukocytes of the same patients.
Neubauer
S
S
Radiotherapeutic Clinic and Policlinic, Erlangen, Germany. susann.neubauer@strahlen.med.uni-erlangen.de
Liehr
T
T
Birkenhake
S
S
Gebhart
E
E
Fietkau
R
R
Sauer
R
R
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000235:genetics; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics; D004249:DNA Damage; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans
D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded