Children of Chernobyl Cleanup Workers do not Show Elevated Rates of Mutations in Minisatellite Alleles

Title: Children of Chernobyl Cleanup Workers do not Show Elevated Rates of Mutations in Minisatellite Alleles

Author: L. A. Livshits, S. G. Malyarchuk, E. M. Lukyanova, Y. G. Antipkin, L. P. Arabskaya, S. A. Kravchenko, G. H. Matsuka , E. Petit, F. Giraudeau, P. Gourmelon, G. Vergnaud , and B. Le Guen

Reference: Radiation Research 155(1):74-80. 2001

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1667/0033-7587(2001)155[0074:COCCWD]2.0.CO;2

Keywords : children, cleanup workers, mutations, minisatellite

Abstract: The disaster at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in April 1986 was accompanied by the release of large amounts of radioisotopes, resulting in the contamination of extensive regions of the Ukraine, Byelorus and the Russian Federation. Cleanup workers (liquidators) and people living on land contaminated with radioactive materials were most exposed. To assess the genetic effects of exposure to ionizing radiation after the Chernobyl accident, we have measured the frequency of inherited mutant alleles at seven hypermutable minisatellite loci in 183 children born to Chernobyl cleanup workers (liquidators) and 163 children born to control families living in nonirradiated areas of the Ukraine. There was no significant difference in the frequency of inherited mutant alleles between the exposed and control groups. The exposed group was then divided into two subgroups according to the time at which the children were conceived with respect to the fathers’ work at the power plant. Eighty-eight children were conceived either while their fathers were working at the facility or up to 2 months later (Subgroup 1). The other 95 children were conceived at least 4 months after their fathers had stopped working at the Chernobyl site (Subgroup 2). The frequencies of mutant alleles were higher for the majority of loci (i.e. 1.44 times higher for CEB1) in Subgroup 1 than in Subgroup 2. This result, if confirmed, would reconcile the apparently conflicting results obtained in the chronically exposed Byelorus population and the Hiroshima-Nagasaki A-bomb survivors.

ＵＲＬ：http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.166/0033-7587%282001%29155%5B0074%3ACOCCWD%5D2.0.CO%3B2?prevSearch=chernobyl&searchHistoryKey=&queryHash=05c5bf600dfdc400aa01511958fb5e34

The distribution of chromosome damage, non-reciprocal translocations and clonal aberrations in lymphocytes from Chernobyl clean-up workers

Title: The distribution of chromosome damage, non-reciprocal translocations and clonal aberrations in lymphocytes from Chernobyl clean-up workers

Author: Kirby L Johnson, Joginder Nath, Janice M Pluth, James D Tucker

Reference: Mutation Research/Genetic Toxicology and Environmental Mutagenesis, Volume 439, Issue 1, 2 February 1999, Pages 77–85

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1383-5718(98)00177-6

Keywords: Chernobyl; Chromosome translocation; Radiation; Clone

Abstract: In this paper we determined whether the frequencies of translocations and insertions are proportional to chromosome size in peripheral blood lymphocytes from Chernobyl nuclear accident clean-up workers and healthy unexposed control subjects. The frequency of aberrations among chromosomes 1, 2 and 4 in both groups was found to be significantly different from the distribution expected on the basis of chromosome size, although the difference was only marginally significant in controls. We also determined whether differences exist in aberration frequencies measured by two scoring systems: the classical method, where reciprocal exchanges are scored as one event, and PAINT, where each break junction is scored as a single event. The two scoring systems gave highly correlated results which yielded an interpretable arithmetic relationship between frequency measurements using the two systems. Approximately 34% of all translocations were observed to be non-reciprocal, and cells bearing clones of abnormal cells were observed in 6 of 198 subjects (3.0%). Our results demonstrate that clones of abnormal cells and the presence of non-reciprocal translocations contribute to the non-proportional distribution of radiation-induced and spontaneous cytogenetic damage.

ＵＲＬ：http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1383571898001776

The study of the mutation process in chronically exposed populations of Pinus sylvestris L. (Pinus sylvestris), growing in the area of Chernobyl nuclear power plant

Title: The study of the mutation process in chronically exposed populations of Pinus sylvestris L. (Pinus sylvestris), growing in the area of Chernobyl nuclear power plant

Author: Igonina, Elena Viktorovna

Reference: Moscow, 2010

Keywords: mutation, chronic exposure, Pinus sylvestris L. (Pinus sylvestris), ionizing radiation

Abstract: The aim of the thesis is to study the effect of ionizing radiation on the dynamics of the mutation process in chronically exposed pine populations.

URL:http://www.dissercat.com/content/izuchenie-mutatsionnogo-protsessa-v-khronicheski-obluchaemykh-populyatsiyakh-pinus-sylvestri

Genetic Effects in Plant Populations in the Zone of the Chernobyl Accident

Author: Abramov VI, Rubanovich AV, Shevchenko VA, Shevchenko VV, Grinikh LI.

Reference: Gazette “РАДИАЦИОННАЯ БИОЛОГИЯ. РАДИОЭКОЛОГИЯ “ (Radiation Biology, Radioecology), 2006

ISSN: 0869-8031

DOI: 582:539.1.04 [577 21+575]

Keywords: genetic mutation, plant

Abstract: During 6 years, starting from 1986, the monitoring of the dynamics of the frequency of embryo lethal and of chlorophyll mutations was carried out in arabidopsis populations in areas with different levels of radioactive contamination by the Muller embryo-test in the 30 km of ChNPP. The dose rate of chronic irradiation in the examined areas varied from 0.014 to 17 nA/Kg. Monitoring of the dynamics of the mutation process in natural arabidopsis populations showed the correlation between the level of the mutation process and the dose rate of chronic irradiation. The genetic effects of different levels of radioactive contamination were estimated by determining the frequency of mutations occurred in this generation and by calculating the dose of irradiation of one was found. That the dependence of the mutation frequency on the dose of irradiation presents a power function with a power index less 1, which suggests a higher efficiency of low radiation doses per unit dose. Possible explanations of this phenomenon are considered in the work. The studies of cytogenetic effects in chronically exposed Crepis tectorum populations in the zones of the Chernobyl accident showed that starting from the second year after the Chernobyl disaster there appeared plants with an altered karyotype and their frequency of chromosome aberrations correlates in root meristem cells.

URL: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16869157

Genetic consequences of irradiation in scots pine Pinus sylvestris L. population (English)

Author: Oficerov M.V., Igonina E.V.

Reference: Gazette “ ГЕНЕТИКА” (genetics), 2009

ISSN: 1022-7954

DOI: 10.1134/S1022795409020082

Keywords: Scots pine, contamination, genetics

Abstract: The genetic consequences of irradiation were studied in a Scots pine population from a region contaminated as a result of the Chernobyl meltdown. Mutations of isozyme loci were not detected in seeds collected from trees of the first post-meltdown generation in 2004. The frequency of cells with chromosome aberrations in the root meristem of seedlings grown from the seeds did not differ from the control level. A deviation from the expected ratio 1:1 was observed for some isozyme alleles in endosperms of seeds obtained from heterozygous trees.

URL: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19334615

Biological effects of chronic radiation exposure on plant populations

Author: Geras’kin SA, Udalova AA, Dikareva NS, Mozolin EM, Chernonog EV, Prytkova IuS, Dikarev VG, Novikova TA.

Reference: Gazette “РАДИАЦИОННАЯ БИОЛОГИЯ. РАДИОЭКОЛОГИЯ “ (Radiation Biology, Radioecology), 2010

ISSN: 0869-8031

DOI: 10.1134/S0869803110040028

Keywords: plant, radioactivity, destruction of regularities, low level anthropogenic impact

Abstract: The findings from long-term field studies on biological effects in plant populations inhabiting radioactively contaminated territories contrast in levels and compositions of dose-forming radionuclides are presented. Plant populations developing under radioactive impact show enhanced frequencies of gene and chromosome mutations, and their reproductive potential is inferior to reference populations. Even relatively low levels of technogenic impact are able to increase genetic diversity and destroy regularities inherent for intact populations. Chronic radiation exposure from a certain level appears to be an ecological factor changing genetic structure of wild populations. Data presented indicate the presence of adaptation processes in plant populations in territories with technogenic impact. Under ecological stress, there are selection processes for resistance improvement in plant populations. But an appearance and rate of this process can essentially differ in dependence on radioecological conditions.

URL: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20968048

Approach to estimate mutagenic effect of polluted water by cytogenetic method on bioindicator species Asellus aquaticus (Isopoda)

Author: Daev Evgeniy Vladislavovich, Dukelskaya Anna Vladimirovna, Kazarova Viktoriya Eduarovna

Reference: Gazette “ЭКОЛОГИЧЕСКАЯ ГЕНЕТИКА“ (Ecologic genetics), 2009

ISSN: 1811-0932

Keywords: chromosomal aberrations, polluted water, Asellus aquaticus, ionizing radiation

Abstract: Elevated frequency of chromosomal aberrations revealed by anatelophase method in ponds and lakes corresponds to higher degree of anthropogenic pressure. Data obtained are compared with the influence of low-dose of ionizing radiation. Validity of the model for estimation of pollution degree and its mutagenic influence risk for human being is discussed.

URL: http://elibrary.ru/item.asp?id=12942922

Low prevalence of BRAF mutations in radiation-induced thyroid tumors in contrast to sporadic papillary carcinomas

Title: Low prevalence of BRAF mutations in radiation-induced thyroid tumors in contrast to sporadic papillary carcinomas
Author: Nikiforova, Marina N / Ciampi, Raffaele / Salvatore, Giuliana / Santoro, Massimo / Gandhi, Manoj / Knauf, Jeffrey A / Thomas, Gerry A / (…) / Nikiforov, Yuri E

Reference: Cancer Letters, 209 (1), p.1-6, Jun 2004

doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2003.12.004

Keywords: Thyroid cancer; BRAF mutation; RET/PTC Rearrangement; Radiation exposure

Abstract: Point mutations of the BRAF gene have been recently described with high prevalence in papillary thyroid carcinomas. However, this molecular alteration has not been studied in radiation-induced thyroid tumors. We analyzed the prevalence of BRAF point mutations and RET/PTC rearrangements in 55 post-Chernobyl papillary carcinomas, compared with 82 sporadic papillary carcinomas. Radiation-induced tumors demonstrated a low prevalence (4%) of BRAF point mutations and high prevalence (58%) of RET/PTC rearrangements. Sporadic papillary carcinomas revealed a clearly distinct pattern, with 37% of tumors harboring BRAF mutations and 20% RET/PTC rearrangements. These results demonstrate a significant difference in the molecular genetic profile of sporadic and radiation-induced thyroid tumors.

URL:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304383503008334

Reply to: Low prevalence of BRAF mutations in radiation-induced thyroid tumors in contrast to sporadic papillary carcinomas

Title: Reply to: Low prevalence of BRAF mutations in radiation-induced thyroid tumors in contrast to sporadic papillary carcinomas
Author: Lima, Jorge / Trovisco, Vítor / Soares, Paula / Máximo, Valdemar / Magalhães, João / Salvatore, Giuliana / Santoro, Massimo / (…) / Sobrinho-Simões, Manuel

Reference: Cancer Letters, 230 (1), p.149-150, Dec 2005

doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2004.10.053

Keywords: BRAF mutation; Thyroid cancer; Chernobyl; Ionizing radiation

Abstract: Our findings both support and extend those of Nikiforova et al. [M.N. Nikiforova, R. Ciampi, G. Salvatore, M. Santoro, M. Gandhi, J.A. Knauf, et al., Low prevalence of BRAF mutations in radiation-induced thyroid tumors in contrast to sporadic papillary carcinomas, Cancer Lett. 209 (2004) 1–6]: BRAF mutations are rare in childhood PTC, both in an irradiation setting and in sporadic tumors.

URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304383505000029

Dose response for T-cell receptor (TCR) mutants in patients repeatedly treated with 131 I for thyroid cancer

Title: Dose response for T-cell receptor (TCR) mutants in patients repeatedly treated with 131 I for thyroid cancer
Author: Vershenya, Stanislav / Biko, Johannes / Drozd, Valentina / Lorenz, Reinhard / Reiners, Christoph / Hempel, Klaus

Reference: Mutation Research/Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis, 548 (1-2), p.27-33, Apr 2004

doi: 10.1016/j.mrfmmm.2003.12.015

Keywords: T-cell receptor; Mutation; Radiation; Thyroid cancer; Chernobyl

Abstract: The T-cell receptor mutant frequency (TCR-Mf) was measured in 53 young adults, who were treated with radioiodine for thyroid cancer. Patients came from the southern part of Belarus. This region had suffered the most from the Chernobyl Disaster. TCR-Mf was determined by flow cytometry before and after 1 to maximal 10 treatments. Before treatment, TCR-Mf of patients was 2.0×10⁻⁴. This Mf value is in the same range as that of young healthy students. After radioiodine therapy (RIT), TCR-Mf increases within about half a year to a maximum…

URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0027510704000223