Correlation of cell cycle parameters with radiation sensitivity in a series of murine L5178Y cells

The X-ray dose--response parameters (Do, n and Dq) of 10 strains of murine L5178Y cells spanning a wide range of radiation sensitivities were characterized. The proportions of cells residing in G1, S and G2 + M phases of the cell cycle in exponentially growing cell populations were estimated using DNA microfluorometric techniques. The radiosensitive strains contained a lower proportion of cells in G1 phase and a somewhat larger proporation of cells in S phase than did the radioresistant strains, reflecting a direct correlation between radioresistance and the duration of G1 phase (and possibly an inverse correlation with the duration of the S phase) in these closely related cell strains. These results are discussed in terms of the putative role of G1 in governing radiosensitivity of cells and tumours.