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Published on: September 5, 2017
Consequences of cytoplasmic irradiation: studies from microbeam
Hongning Zhou1, Mei Hong, Yunfei Chai
1Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University Medical Center, 630 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, USA. hz63@columbia.edu
Journal of Radiation Research
|April 7, 2009
Summary
Ionizing radiation can cause cell damage outside the nucleus, challenging the traditional view. Microbeam studies reveal that cytoplasmic radiation exposure triggers significant biological responses, suggesting new mechanisms in radiation biology.
Area of Science:
- Radiation Biology
- Cellular Biology
- Molecular Mechanisms
Background:
- The traditional understanding of radiation biology posits that genotoxic effects, including mutations and carcinogenesis, primarily stem from direct damage to nuclear DNA.
- Recent advancements in microbeam technology allow for precise cellular targeting, challenging this dogma.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the biological responses observed following cytoplasmic irradiation using microbeams.
- To explore the potential underlying mechanisms responsible for these extra-nuclear radiation effects.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing scientific literature on microbeam radiation studies.
- Analysis of experimental evidence demonstrating biological effects from non-nuclear radiation exposure.
Main Results:
- Accumulating evidence indicates that energy deposition outside the nucleus can induce biological effects similar to those caused by direct nuclear DNA damage.
- Cytoplasmic irradiation has been shown to trigger significant cellular responses.
Conclusions:
- The nucleus and nuclear DNA are not the sole targets for radiation-induced biological effects.
- Extranuclear targets, particularly within the cytoplasm, play a crucial role in cellular responses to radiation, necessitating a re-evaluation of radiation biology paradigms.
