Chromosomal aberrations and delays in cell progression induced by X-rays in Tradescantia clone 02 meristems

In root meristems of Tradescantia clone 02 (developed by Sparrow and his colleagues for mutation studies), X-rays interfere with the progression of cells through the cell cycle and induce chromosomal aberrations in a dose-dependent manner consistent with linear-quadratic kinetics. Sequential mitotic cell accumulations after irradiation indicate that sensitivity to aberration induction is probably greatest in cells from late S to early G2, with chromatid interchanges the most frequent aberration type and all aberrations consistent with initiation from the interaction between two lesions. The ratio of the coefficients in the linear (alpha) and the quadratic (beta) terms (alpha/beta) is equal to the dose average of specific energy produced by individual particles in the site where interaction takes place. The ratio alpha/beta for chromosomal aberrations is similar to that previously found for X-ray-induced mutation in Tradescantia stamen hairs, supporting the proposal that radiation-induced mutational events are due to chromosomal aberrations with interaction distances of about 1 micron. Abrahamson and co-workers have noted that both alpha/beta ratios appear to be related to nuclear target size and are similar for chromosomal and mutational endpoints in the same organism. These findings support this concept; however, it is apparent that any situation which diminishes yield at high doses (eg, mitotic delay) will primarily affect the beta component, resulting in low assessments of interaction site diameters.