title: Molecular mass and volume in radiation target theory.
abstract: Radiation target analysis is based on the action of ionizing radiation directly on macromolecules. Interactions of this radiation with the molecules leads to considerable structural damage and consequent loss of biological activity. The radiation sensitivity is dependent on the size of the macromolecules. There has been confusion and discrepancy as to whether the molecular mass or the molecular volume was the determinant factor in the sensitivity. Some proteins are known to change their hydrodynamic volume at low pH, and this characteristic can be utilized to compare the radiation sensitivities of these proteins in the two states. The results show that the radiation sensitivity of proteins depends on the mass of the molecule and is independent of the molecular volume/shape.
authors.affiliation: Beckman Coulter, Fullerton, California 92835, USA.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Osborne
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: E S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Kempner
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D055592:Biophysical Phenomena; D001703:Biophysics; D002417:Cattle; D002645:Chickens; D005987:Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009113:Muramidase / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects*; D011817:Rabbits; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects
chemical_list: D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D011506:Proteins; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine; D005987:Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenases; D009113:Muramidase