Dependence on cloning method of survival of human melanoma cells after ultraviolet and ionizing radiation.

The resistance of a human melanoma cell line (MM96) to both ultraviolet and ionizing irradiation was compared by two different methods of cloning, on plates and in agar. A high level of resistance to both ultraviolet (D0 = 320 ergs/sq mm) and ionizing irradiation (D0 = 4300 rads) was observed when viability of cells was determined by cloning in agar. In contrast, melanoma cells were found to be as sensitive as were other cells when viability after irradiation was determined by cloning on plastic plates. The difference in sensitivity to radiation between the two methods of cloning can be explained in a model involving damage to membranes as well as to DNA. At least for ionizing radiation, this effect is not restricted to melanoma cells since a HeLa subline, HeLa-QB1, showed a similar response. In contrast, a human lymphoblastoid line (JHP) cloned in agar was sensitive under these conditions (D0 = 120 rads).