Expression of junB gene induced by X-rays in mice

Objective: To explore junB gene expression in spleen cells after whole body irradiation and in cultured spleen cells as well as leukemia cells irradiated with different doses of X-rays. Methods: Spleen cells were pooled with MEM-α medium after 3 Gy X-ray whole body exposure, and normally cultured spleen cells and leukemia cells were irradiated with different doses of X-rays. Total RNA was extracted at intervals, Northern blot hybridization was used to present the expression of junB mRNA, and the RNA ratio of junB/β-actin/control was calculated to show the level of junB mRNA. Results: After mice were exposed whole-bodily to 3 Gy X-rays, appearance of junB expression in spleen cells was remarkable and rapid, reaching its peak at 30 min for C3H/He mice, 60 min for BALB/c mice. For normally cultured spleen cells and leukemia cells followed by different dose irradiation, junB mRNA increased immediately after irradiation, reaching its peak at 30 min or 60 min, returned gradually to the normal level within 240 min. Conclusion: junB gene is sensitive to radiation, for it is induced immediately after irradiation. junB gene may play an important role in process of message transduction