Radiation-induced aberrations in human chromosomes 1 and 2 analyzed by whole chromosome painting

Since the early days of radiation cyto-genetics, efforts have been made to answer the question of whether specific chromosomes or chromosomal sites are more frequently involved in chromosomal aberration than expected on the basis of a random aberration distribution. Since chromosomal rearrangements are known to occur in the course of a malignant cell transformation the detection of chromosomes or chromosomal regions particularly susceptible to ionizing radiation may be important in gaining a more complete understanding of radiation-induced carcinogenesis. Using the technique of whole chromosome painting, we have investigated the frequencies of radiation-induced aberrations in chromosomes 1 and 2 of human peripheral lymphocytes from two donors. In parallel, unstable-type aberrations were analyzed in Giemsa-stained chromosomes and the yields compared to those obtained from the painted chromosomes. (authors)