title: Is radon emission in caves causing deletions in satellite DNA sequences of cave-dwelling crickets?
abstract: The most stable isotope of radon, 222Rn, represents the major source of natural radioactivity in confined environments such as mines, caves and houses. In this study, we explored the possible radon-related effects on the genome of Dolichopoda cave crickets (Orthoptera, Rhaphidophoridae) sampled in caves with different concentrations of radon. We analyzed specimens from ten populations belonging to two genetically closely related species, D. geniculata and D. laetitiae, and explored the possible association between the radioactivity dose and the level of genetic polymorphism in a specific family of satellite DNA (pDo500 satDNA). Radon concentration in the analyzed caves ranged from 221 to 26,000 Bq/m3. Specimens coming from caves with the highest radon concentration showed also the highest variability estimates in both species, and the increased sequence heterogeneity at pDo500 satDNA level can be explained as an effect of the mutation pressure induced by radon in cave. We discovered a specific category of nuclear DNA, the highly repetitive satellite DNA, where the effects of the exposure at high levels of radon-related ionizing radiation are detectable, suggesting that the satDNA sequences might be a valuable tool to disclose harmful effects also in other organisms exposed to high levels of radon concentration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuliana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Allegrucci
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Valerio
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sbordoni
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Donatella
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cesaroni
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D059552:Caves; D004276:DNA, Satellite / Q000235:genetics*; D006135:Gryllidae / Q000235:genetics* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D011886:Radon / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D017384:Sequence Deletion / Q000528:radiation effects*; D020080:Tandem Repeat Sequences / Q000528:radiation effects
chemical_list: D004276:DNA, Satellite; D011886:Radon
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