title: Photon-induced Auger effect in biological systems: a review.
abstract: In this paper, we review interesting findings reported in the studies of the biological effects induced by inner-shell ionization with the aim of interpreting them from a mechanistic viewpoint, in particular, of the Auger effect of atoms on different biological systems.
  
  
  
  More than 70 published papers are cited on the Auger effects ranging from DNA-related elements (carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and phosphorus) to mammalian cells. Externally administrated bromine, iodine, and platinum have also been cited for the present endeavor. Those significant works all needed a highly monochromatized X-rays from brilliant synchrotron light sources.
  
  
  
  We have assembled a coherent view on the inner-shell effects of the Auger process that contrasts to the overall effects with the outer-shell ionization processes.
  
  
  
  Some of these studies have reported that the Auger effect significantly enhances biological effects as compared with irradiation at below K-ionization energy. The Auger-specific molecular degradation mode of DNA, involving extensive fragmentation of the deoxypentose moiety, has also been revealed. We conclude that the selectively localized effect on the specified atoms through inner-shell ionization followed by the Auger process should have a definite impact on the current radiation effect studies, which are largely based on non-selective outer-shell ionizations.
authors.affiliation: a Quantum Beam Science Research Directorate , National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology , Naka , Ibaraki , Japan.
authors.forename: Akinari
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yokoya
authors.affiliation: b Graduate School of Arts and Sciences , The University of Tokyo , Komaba , Tokyo , Japan.
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ito
mesh_terms: D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004249:DNA Damage; D004583:Electrons; D017785:Photons / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011853:Radiobiology
chemical_list: D004247:DNA
keywords: Auger effect; DNA damage; Synchrotron radiation; inner-shell ionization; radiobiological effect