Advances in Radiation Biology, Volume 17: DNA and Chromatin Damage Caused by Radiation outlines the different biological reactions to radiation. This book discusses the linear energy transfer and energy loss; DNA breaks and track structure; DNA radicals from water radicals; and radiation-induced strand breaks in isolated DNA. The radiation damage to DNA and its nearby environment; thiol radioprotectors and mechanism of action; radiolysis of water and track reactions; and computer simulation of higher order structure of DNA are also elaborated. This publication likewise covers the concept of chromatin structure; DNA supercoiling studied by sedimentation; measurement of radiation-induced DNA breakage; and analysis of damage in interphase cells. This volume is a useful reference to biologists and students concerned with DNA and chromatin damage caused by radiation.

Table of Contents:
Linear Energy Transfer and Track Structure I. Introduction II. Linear Energy Transfer and Energy Loss III. d-Electron Emission IV. Condensed Phase Effects—Track Core V. Electron Transport and the Track Halo VI. DNA Breaks and Track Structure VII. Summary References Primary Free Radical Processes in DNA I. Introduction II. DNA Radicals from Water Radicals—Recent Advances III. One-Electron Oxidized Species of DNA in an Aqueous Environment IV. Dynamics of Radiation-Induced Changes in Solid DNA V. Radiation-Induced Strand Breaks in Isolated DNA VI. Forward Look References The Chemical Consequences of Radiation Damage to DNA I. Introduction II. Radiation Damage to DNA and Its Nearby Environment: Direct and Quasi-direct Effects III. The Indirect Effect IV. The Confluence of Chemical Events for the Direct, Quasidirect, and Indirect Effects V. Thiol Radioprotectors and Mechanism of Action VI. Conclusions and Directions for Future Efforts References Computer Simulation of Initial Events in the Biochemical Mechanisms of DNA Damage I. Introduction II. Energy Deposition Events and Creation of Tracks by Charged Particles III. Radiolysis of Water and Track Reactions IV. Computer Simulation of the Biochemical Stage: The Formation of Strand Breaks V. Results of Yields on Strand Breaks VI. Computer Simulation of Higher Order Structure of DNA VII. Concluding Remarks and Future Directions References DNA Loop Structure and Radiation Response I. Introduction II. The Concept of Chromatin Structure III. DNA Supercoiling Studied by Sedimentation IV. Alternative Methods V. DNA Loop Structure and Growth State VI. DNA Loop Structure, Anchoring, and Radiosensitivity VII. Cell Cycle Effects VIII. Conclusions References Radiation-Induced Damage in Chromosomal DNA Molecules: Deduction of Chromosomal DNA Organization from the Hydrodynamic Data Used to Measure DNA Double-Strand Breaks and from Stereo Electron Microscopic Observations I. Introduction II. Methods for the Measurement of DNA Breakage III. DNA Size, Shape, and Number Concentration Measurement IV. Problems Unique to the Measurement of Large DNA Molecules V. Measurement of Radiation-Induced DNA Breakage VI. Size and Shape Determination of Mammalian Cell Chromosomal DNA Molecules VII. Structure of the Mammalian Chromosome VIII. Summary References Ionizing Radiation Damage and Its Early Development in Chromosomes I. Introduction II. Chromosomal Aberrations at Mitosis III. Analysis of Damage in Interphase Cells IV. What Are PCC Breaks? V. The Nature of Critical Cellular Structures VI. Conclusions References Index