Induction of single- and double-strand breaks in plasmid DNA by 100-1500 eV electrons

To investigate the induction of DNA strand breaks by electrons with energies ranging from 0.1 to 1.5 keV.

Dry supercoiled plasmid DNA was irradiated with electrons of energies ranging from 0.1 to 1.5 keV and the results were compared with those obtained by gamma-irradiation of the same plasmid in solution. For electron irradiation, the plasmid was deposited on a gold substrate under a controlled atmosphere to minimize contamination of the DNA film. Electron bombardments were performed under ultra-high vacuum conditions (UHV 10(-9) torr). DNA damage was detected by gel electrophoresis followed by quantitation of the DNA bands by fluorescence or by hybridization with a radioactive probe.

Electrons with energies from 0.1 to 1.5 keV induced single, double and multiple double-strand breaks in supercoiled plasmid DNA. For equal doses, we observed a marked increase in the efficiency of induction of double- and multiple-strand breaks in supercoiled DNA as a function of electron energy. In contrast to gamma-irradiation, the formation of small DNA fragments by electrons did not seem to be related to the production of the linear form of the plasmid.

Electrons within the energy; range of the secondary electrons generated by high-energy ionizing radiation induce single, double and multiple double-strand breaks in DNA. Problems associated with low-energy electron irradiation experiments and dose calculations in thin films are also discussed.