Chromosome breakage at sites of oncogenes in a population accidentally exposed to radioactive chemical pollution

• Published in: Mutagenesis Vol. 14; no. 1; pp. 83 - 86
• Main Authors: Ilyinskikh, N N, Ilyinskikh, I N, Ilyinskikh, E N
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Oxford Publishing Limited (England) 01.01.1999
• Subjects: Adult; Air Pollutants, Radioactive - adverse effects; Chromosome Breakage - genetics; DNA - blood; DNA, Neoplasm - blood; Female; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms - etiology; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms - genetics; Humans; Male; Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced - genetics; Oncogenes - radiation effects; Population Surveillance - methods; Radioactive Hazard Release; Radioisotopes - adverse effects; Siberia; Siberia; Russia, Siberia
• ISSN: 0267-8357; 1464-3804; 1464-3804
• DOI: 10.1093/mutage/14.1.83

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the level of aberrations at fragile sites of chromosomes in peripheral blood lymphocytes of the population of an area polluted with radionuclides, following an accident at the Siberian Chemical Plant. We carried out the micronucleus test to screen people with radiation-related cytogenetic effects. Of the 1246 inhabitants of the settlement of Samus examined, 148 showed a significantly increased frequency of micronucleated erythrocytes and were selected for chromosome analysis as a radiation-exposed group. Additional analysis was carried out on 40 patients with gastric cancer and atrophic gastritis with stage II-III epithelial dysplasia. Eighty six individuals from a non-polluted area were used as a control group. Chromosomal breaks and exchanges occurred preferentially in chromosomes 3 and 6 among radiation-exposed persons and patients. The regions 3p14-25 and 6p23 were damaged most often. There was a tendency to preferential involvement of q21-25 of chromosome 6 in patients with gastric cancer and atrophic gastritis. Specific damage at certain chromosome sites was observed in the radiation-exposed population as well as in patients with gastric cancer. Most often this damage was located near oncogene loci, which could imply that chromosome damage induced by radiation is likely to be a predisposing factor to the expression of oncogenes and malignant transformation of cells in exposed individuals.