Induction and rejoining of DNA double-strand breaks in CHO cells after heavy ion irradiation.

DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are the crucial events ultimately leading to cell inactivation. Aimed at understanding the biological action of the charged particle component of cosmic radiation, the induction of DSBs and their repairability was evaluated in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-K1) cells after exposure to accelerated particles. Irradiations were performed with various ion species including O, Ni and Ca, covering a LET range from 20 to 2000 keV/micrometer. DSBs were determined for plateau-phase cells using the electrophoretic elution of radiation-induced DNA fragments in a static electric field combined with fluorescence scanning of ethidium bromide stained gels. Assuming a DSB yield of 22 DSB per Gy per cell, as derived from X-irradiation, cross-sections for DSB production were calculated from the corresponding fluence-effect curves at a fraction of 0.7 of DNA retained. The same ordinate was used as a reference for the calculation of relative biological efficiency (RBE) for DSB induction. At low LETs (< or = 20 keV/micrometer) RBE values slightly above unity were obtained, but a decrease of RBE was observed with increasing LET. In the region of 100-200 keV/micrometer the RBE for initial DSB induction was clearly below unity. Rejoining of DSBs was assessed by measuring the fraction of DNA retained following post-irradiation incubation of cells under culture conditions. After exposure to Ca ions, DSB rejoining was considerably impaired compared to X-rays.