Abstract
Biological indicators would be of use in radiation dosimetry in situations where an exposed person is not wearing a dosimeter, or when physical dosimeters are insufficient to estimate the risk caused by the radiation exposure. In this work, we investigate the use of gene expression as a dosimeter. Gene expression analysis was done on 15,222 genes of Drosophila melanogaster (fruit flies) at days 2, 10, and 20 postirradiation, with X-ray exposures of 10, 1000, 5000, 10,000, and 20,000 roentgens. Several genes were identified, which could serve as a biodosimeter in an irradiated D. melanogaster model. Many of these genes have human homologues. Six genes showed a linear response (R2 > 0.9) with dose at all time points. One of these genes, inverted repeat-binding protein, is a known DNA repair gene and has a human homologue (XRCC6). The lowest dose, 10 roentgen, is very low for fruit flies. If the lowest dose is excluded, 13 genes showed a linear response with dose at all time points. This includes 5 of 6 genes that were linear with all radiation doses included. Of these 13 genes, 4 have human homologues and 8 have known functions. The expression of this panel of genes, particularly those with human homologues, could potentially be used as the biological indicator of radiation exposure in dosimetry applications.
Highlights
In the occurrence of a large-scale nuclear event, such as those at Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Chernobyl, and Fukushima Daiichi, the measurement of radiation dose in exposed humans can be of crucial importance to survival (Chaudhry, 2008; Hall and Giaccia, 2012)
Biological indicators would be of use in radiation dosimetry in situations where an exposed person is not wearing a dosimeter, or when physical dosimeters are insufficient to estimate the risk caused by the radiation exposure
Gene expression analysis was done on 15,222 genes of Drosophila melanogaster at days 2, 10, and 20 postirradiation, with X-ray exposures of 10, 1000, 5000, 10,000, and 20,000 roentgens
Summary
In the occurrence of a large-scale nuclear event, such as those at Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Chernobyl, and Fukushima Daiichi, the measurement of radiation dose in exposed humans can be of crucial importance to survival (Chaudhry, 2008; Hall and Giaccia, 2012). In this situation, it is very likely that many people who are exposed will not be wearing dosimeters. A method of estimating radiation dose to a patient without a dosimeter would be a very useful procedure. It helps to predict the long-term risks of both acute and chronic exposure (Amundson et al, 2001, 2003; Omaruddin et al, 2013; Tucker et al, 2013)
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