ABSTRACT
The quantitative analysis of the chromosome rearrangements detected in 2128 R-banded metaphases, obtained from gamma-irradiated human lymphocytes after 48 to 96 h in culture is reported. Depending on the culture time, and possibly on the dose of radiation (from 1 to 3 Gy), the most frequent type of rearrangement was either dicentrics or reciprocal translocations. In first generation mitoses, the frequency of cells without rearrangement ranged from 0.66 to 0.18, and the mean number of rearranged chromosomes per cell from 0.79 to 3.28. The dose-response curve follows a quadratic function for dicentric aberration yields, but not for other rearrangements.
Subject(s)
Chromosome Aberrations , Chromosomes, Human/radiation effects , Lymphocytes/radiation effects , Cells, Cultured , Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation , Gamma Rays , Humans , Interphase , Karyotyping , Kinetics , Lymphocytes/cytology , Metaphase/radiation effects , Time FactorsABSTRACT
A sample of 214 reciprocal 2-break translocations observed in fibroblasts, both after accidental 'in vivo', and experimental 'in vitro' gamma-irradiation, was studied. The distribution of the breaks along the chromosomes does not seem at random. The minimal possible imbalance that these translocations could induce by malsegregation, if they existed in germ cells, was estimated. These imbalances were compared with the chromosomal trisomies and monosomies known to be compatible with life after birth in man. It is concluded that about 2/5 of the radiation-induced translocations might induce a viable trisomy and/or monosomy. This result, similar to that previously obtained in human lymphocytes, indicates the validity of the extrapolation from one tissue to another, and hopefully to germ cells.
Subject(s)
Chromosome Aberrations , Chromosomes/radiation effects , Fibroblasts/ultrastructure , Translocation, Genetic , HumansABSTRACT
An attempt to estimate one of the parameters establishing the risk of occurrence of abnormal live-born progeny by malsegregation of radiation-induced translocation is reported. A sample of 247 2-break translocations induced by gamma-rays in human lymphocytes was studied in relation to the minimal possible imbalance they could induce in gametogenesis. These imbalances were compared with chromosomal trisomies and monosomies known to be compatible with life after birth in man. It is concluded that at least 106 out of 247 translocations should not give viable products in cases of malsegregation. A second comparison, with translocations ascertained in human subjects for various reasons, led to the conclusion that about 2/5 of the radiation-induced translocations might involve a risk of partial trisomies or monosomies. Cell survival and frequency of meiotic malsegregations are other parameters needed to make a correct estimate. A short discussion shows the difficulty of such estimates from inter-specific comparisons.
