Modelling of DNA sedimentation profiles from irradiated eukaryotic cells

A simple mathematical model of DSB distributions in DNA from irradiated interphase eukaryotic cells is considered and an approximate description of resulting DNA sedimentation profiles is derived. The model takes into account the differences found between the radiosensitivities of heterochromatin and euchromatin and is based, contrary to the usual approach, on a non-homogeneous distribution of DSB in eukaryotic DNA. Comparison with some experimental DNA sedimentation profiles prefers the proposed model to the common one. At the same time a greater radiosensitivity difference (at least in yeast cells for the present) has been established in anoxic conditions compared to aerobic ones.