A nanodosimetric model of radiation-induced clustered DNA damage yields

Phys Med Biol. 2010 Feb 7;55(3):761-81. doi: 10.1088/0031-9155/55/3/015. Epub 2010 Jan 14.

Abstract

We present a nanodosimetric model for predicting the yield of double strand breaks (DSBs) and non-DSB clustered damages induced in irradiated DNA. The model uses experimental ionization cluster size distributions measured in a gas model by an ion counting nanodosimeter or, alternatively, distributions simulated by a Monte Carlo track structure code developed to simulate the nanodosimeter. The model is based on a straightforward combinatorial approach translating ionizations, as measured or simulated in a sensitive gas volume, to lesions in a DNA segment of one-two helical turns considered equivalent to the sensitive volume of the nanodosimeter. The two model parameters, corresponding to the probability that a single ion detected by the nanodosimeter corresponds to a single strand break or a single lesion (strand break or base damage) in the equivalent DNA segment, were tuned by fitting the model-predicted yields to previously measured double-strand break and double-strand lesion yields in plasmid DNA irradiated with protons and helium nuclei. Model predictions were also compared to both yield data simulated by the PARTRAC code for protons of a wide range of different energies and experimental DSB and non-DSB clustered DNA damage yield data from the literature. The applicability and limitations of this model in predicting the LET dependence of clustered DNA damage yields are discussed.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Computer Simulation
  • DNA / radiation effects*
  • DNA Breaks, Double-Stranded / radiation effects
  • DNA Damage / radiation effects*
  • Helium / adverse effects
  • Models, Genetic*
  • Monte Carlo Method
  • Nanotechnology / instrumentation
  • Nanotechnology / methods*
  • Plasmids / radiation effects
  • Probability
  • Protons / adverse effects
  • Radiometry / instrumentation
  • Radiometry / methods*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae
  • Software

Substances

  • Protons
  • Helium
  • DNA