DNA-FINGERPRINTING ANALYSIS OF RADIATION-INDUCED RAT SKIN TUMORS

DNA fingerprinting analysis was performed on rat skin tumors induced b y high linear energy transfer neon ion radiation. Most of these tumors (13/15) showed DNA-fingerprint variability between independently isol ated tumors from the same animal. These changes include multiple band shifts and extra bands. Comparisons of DNA fingerprints were also made on successive biopsy samples from the same tumor. Each of 3 neon-indu ced tumors and 2 of 8 electron (low LET) induced tumors showed progres sive loss of amplified sequences, gain of amplified sequences, deletio ns, band shifts, and the appearance of extra bands in progressive biop sies. These results provide evidence for LET-specific effects on genom ic instability in radiation-induced rat skin tumors.