Telomere length abnormalities in mammalian radiosensitive cells

Joanne McIlrath, Simon D. Bouffler, Enrique Samper, Andrew Cuthbert, Andrzej Wojcik, Irena Szumiel, Peter E. Bryant, Andrew C. Riches, Alastair Thompson, Maria A. Blasco, Robert F. Newbold, Predrag Slijepcevic

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    138 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Telomere lengths in radiosensitive murine lymphoma cells L5178Y-S and parental radioresistant L5178Y cells were measured by quantitative fluorescence in situ hybridization. Results revealed a 7-fold reduction in telomere length in radiosensitive cells (7 kb) in comparison with radioresistant cells (48 kb). Therefore, it was reasoned that telomere length might be used as a marker for chromosomal radiosensitivity. In agreement with this hypothesis, a significant inverse correlation between telomere length and chromosomal radiosensitivity was observed in lymphocytes from 24 breast cancer patients and 5 normal individuals. In contrast, no chromosomal radiosensitivity was observed in mouse cell lines that showed shortened telomeres, possibly reflecting differences in radiation responses between primary cells and established cell lines. Telomere length abnormalities observed in radiosensitive cells suggest that these two phenotypes may be linked.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)912-915
    Number of pages4
    JournalCancer Research
    Volume61
    Issue number3
    Publication statusPublished - Jan 2001

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Telomere length abnormalities in mammalian radiosensitive cells'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this