title: Genetic and epigenetic features in radiation sensitivity Part I: cell signalling in radiation response.
abstract: Recent progress especially in the field of gene identification and expression has attracted greater attention to genetic and epigenetic susceptibility to cancer, possibly enhanced by ionising radiation. It has been proposed that the occurrence and severity of the adverse reactions to radiation therapy are also influenced by such genetic susceptibility. This issue is especially important for radiation therapists since hypersensitive patients may suffer from adverse effects in normal tissues following standard radiation therapy, while normally sensitive patients could receive higher doses of radiation offering a better likelihood of cure for malignant tumours. This paper, the first of two parts, reviews the main mechanisms involved in cell response to ionising radiation. DNA repair machinery and cell signalling pathways are considered and their role in radiosensitivity is analysed. The implication of non-targeted and delayed effects in radiosensitivity is also discussed.
authors.affiliation: Direction Générale de la Sûreté Nucléaire et de la Radioprotection (DGSNR), 6 Place du Colonel Bourgoin, 75572, Paris Cedex 12, France. michel.bourguignon@asn.minefi.gouv.fr
authors.forename: Michel H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Bourguignon
authors.forename: Pablo A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Gisone
authors.forename: Maria R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Perez
authors.forename: Severino
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Michelin
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dubner
authors.forename: Marina Di
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Giorgio
authors.forename: Edgardo D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Carosella
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D024201:Bystander Effect / Q000235:genetics* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000235:genetics / Q000528:radiation effects; D004249:DNA Damage; D004260:DNA Repair / Q000235:genetics* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic / Q000235:genetics / Q000528:radiation effects; D006801:Humans; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011836:Radiation Tolerance / Q000235:genetics*; D011839:Radiation, Ionizing