Simple chromosome exchanges are not linear with dose.
OBJECTIVE
To check whether simple chromosome exchanges are linearly related to radiation dose.


METHODS
Go-irradiated lymphocytes were cultured to produce metaphase preparations. Chromosomes 1 and 2 were painted different colours and the remaining chromosomes counterstained. Cells containing a colour junction involving both chromosomes 1 and 2 were scored fully, so that simple and complex rearrangements were distinguished.


RESULTS
At doses of 2 Gy and below very few complex rearrangements were seen. About 90% of exchanges were simple. At these doses the linear component of the dose-effect curve accounts on average for only approximately 30% of the observed yield.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a square-law dose component to the yield of simple exchanges in addition to the linear term.
Edwards
A A
AA
National Radiological Protection Board, Chilton, Didcot, UK. alan.edwards@nrpb.org.uk
Hone
P A
PA
Moquet
J E
JE
Lloyd
D C
DC
D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D002877:Chromosomes, Human / Q000528:radiation effects*; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000528:radiation effects; D008297:Male