DNA and Chromatin Damage Caused by Radiation

Linear Energy Transfer and Track Structure

I. Introduction

II. Linear Energy Transfer and Energy Loss

III. δ-Electron Emission

IV. Condensed Phase Effects—Track Core

V. Electron Transport and the Track Halo

VI. DNA Breaks and Track Structure

VII. Summary

References

Primary Free Radical Processes in DNA

I. Introduction

II. DNA Radicals from Water Radicals—Recent Advances

III. One-Electron Oxidized Species of DNA in an Aqueous Environment

IV. Dynamics of Radiation-Induced Changes in Solid DNA

V. Radiation-Induced Strand Breaks in Isolated DNA

VI. Forward Look

References

The Chemical Consequences of Radiation Damage to DNA

I. Introduction

II. Radiation Damage to DNA and Its Nearby Environment: Direct and Quasi-direct Effects

III. The Indirect Effect

IV. The Confluence of Chemical Events for the Direct, Quasidirect, and Indirect Effects

V. Thiol Radioprotectors and Mechanism of Action

VI. Conclusions and Directions for Future Efforts

References

Computer Simulation of Initial Events in the Biochemical Mechanisms of DNA Damage

I. Introduction

II. Energy Deposition Events and Creation of Tracks by Charged Particles

III. Radiolysis of Water and Track Reactions

IV. Computer Simulation of the Biochemical Stage: The Formation of Strand Breaks

V. Results of Yields on Strand Breaks

VI. Computer Simulation of Higher Order Structure of DNA

VII. Concluding Remarks and Future Directions

References

DNA Loop Structure and Radiation Response

I. Introduction

II. The Concept of Chromatin Structure

III. DNA Supercoiling Studied by Sedimentation

IV. Alternative Methods

V. DNA Loop Structure and Growth State

VI. DNA Loop Structure, Anchoring, and Radiosensitivity

VII. Cell Cycle Effects

VIII. Conclusions

References

Radiation-Induced Damage in Chromosomal DNA Molecules: Deduction of Chromosomal DNA Organization from the Hydrodynamic Data Used to Measure DNA Double-Strand Breaks and from Stereo Electron Microscopic Observations

I. Introduction

II. Methods for the Measurement of DNA Breakage

III. DNA Size, Shape, and Number Concentration Measurement

IV. Problems Unique to the Measurement of Large DNA Molecules

V. Measurement of Radiation-Induced DNA Breakage

VI. Size and Shape Determination of Mammalian Cell Chromosomal DNA Molecules

VII. Structure of the Mammalian Chromosome

VIII. Summary

References

Ionizing Radiation Damage and Its Early Development in Chromosomes

I. Introduction

II. Chromosomal Aberrations at Mitosis

III. Analysis of Damage in Interphase Cells

IV. What Are PCC Breaks?

V. The Nature of Critical Cellular Structures

VI. Conclusions

References

Index