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Effects of Ionizing Radiation on Bacterial DNA-membrane Complexes

Nature New Biology volume 235, pages 76–77 (1972)Cite this article

Abstract

THE model proposed by Alper1 for lethal radiation damage to cells is based on inferential evidence that there are two important sites of damage by ionizing radiation. At one site, damage referred to as type “N” is associated with a low oxygen enhancement ratio (OER) and is probably to nucleic acid, while at the other site, type “O” damage is associated with a considerably higher oxygen enhancement value and is to a non-nucleic acid target. The model demands that the two values of OER are respectively less and greater than that observed for the overall lethal effect. More recently2 Alper reviewed further inferential evidence3 that cell membranes are the site of type O damage, though there may be subsequent interaction with the lesions following energy deposition in DNA4.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Experimental Radiopathology Research Unit, Hammersmith Hospital, Ducane Road, London, W12

    W. A. CRAMP, D. K. WATKINS & J. COLLINS

Authors
  1. W. A. CRAMP
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  2. D. K. WATKINS
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  3. J. COLLINS
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CRAMP, W., WATKINS, D. & COLLINS, J. Effects of Ionizing Radiation on Bacterial DNA-membrane Complexes. Nature New Biology 235, 76–77 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1038/newbio235076a0

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