Effects of 1 GeV/nucleon ⁵⁶Fe particles on longevity, carcinogenesis and neuromotor ability in Atm-deficient mice

• Published in: Radiation research Vol. 175; no. 2; p. 231
• Main Authors: Yamamoto, Mitsuko L, Hafer, Kurt, Reliene, Ramune, Fleming, Sheila, Kelly, Owen, Hacke, Katrin, Schiestl, Robert H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.02.2011
• Subjects: Animals; Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Proteins; Cell Cycle Proteins - genetics; Cell Cycle Proteins - physiology; DNA-Binding Proteins - deficiency; DNA-Binding Proteins - genetics; DNA-Binding Proteins - physiology; Female; Genotype; Glutathione - metabolism; Heavy Ions; Iron; Linear Energy Transfer; Longevity - drug effects; Male; Mice; Motor Activity - radiation effects; Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced - etiology; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases - deficiency; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases - genetics; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases - physiology; Sex Factors; Tumor Suppressor Proteins - deficiency; Tumor Suppressor Proteins - genetics; Tumor Suppressor Proteins - physiology
• ISSN: 1938-5404
• DOI: 10.1667/RR2312.1

As therapeutic uses of high-LET radiation become more prevalent and human space exploration continues to be a focus of NASA, it is important to understand the biological effects of high-LET radiation and the role of genetics in sensitivity to high-LET radiation. To study genetic susceptibility to radiation, we used mice deficient in Atm activity (AtmΔSRI). ATM is important in DNA repair, apoptosis and cell cycle regulation. Although homozygous mutations in ATM are rare, the prevalence of ATM heterozygosity is estimated to be 1% and results in an increased cancer risk. We found that the effects of 1 Gy 1 GeV/nucleon ⁵⁶Fe particles on life span and tumorigenesis are genotype- and sex-specific. Significant effects of 1 Gy 1 GeV/nucleon ⁵⁶Fe particles on incidence of non-cancer end points were seen; however, 2 Gy 1 GeV/nucleon ⁵⁶Fe particles significantly affected neuromotor ability. Our results represent an extensive investigation into the late effects of high-LET radiation exposure in a sex- and genotype-dependent manner and provide a baseline for understanding the long-term risks of high-LET radiation.