DOSE AND DOSE-RATE DEPENDENCE OF DSB-TYPE MUTANTS INDUCED BY X-RAYS OR TRITIUM BETA-RAYS: AN APPROACH USING A HYPERSENSITIVE SYSTEM.

Abstract

To evaluate biological effects triggered by low levels of radiation, we established a uniquely sensitive experimental system to detect somatic mutations. By using the system, we found that mutant frequencies induced by X-rays were statistically significant at doses over 0.15Gy, and a linear dose relationship with the mutant frequency was observed at doses over 0.15Gy. The mutation spectra analysis revealed that mutation events generated by X-ray doses below 0.1Gy were similar to those observed in unirradiated controls. In addition, a significant inflection point for both, the mutant frequency and the mutation spectra, was found at dose-rates around 11mGy/day when cells were cultured in medium containing tritiated water. Because induced radiation-type events presented a clear dose/dose-rate dependency above the critical dose or the inflection point, these observations suggest that mutation events generated by radiation could change at a threshold dose-rate or a critical dose.