EFFECTS OF HEAVY-IONS ON NUCLEIC-ACIDS - MEASUREMENT OF THE DAMAGE

In this short survey the main, available information on the molecular mechanisms of action of heavy ions on DNA is critically reviewed. Form ation of single- and double-stranded DNA breaks in cells exposed to he avy particles is well established. On the other hand, base damage and, in a more general way, clustered lesions, whose formation should be i ncreased upon exposure to heavy ions, have not yet been isolated and c haracterized. Efforts should be made to identify this important class of DNA damage in both isolated and cellular DNA. Sensitive and specifi c assays involving chemical and biochemical approaches have to be deve loped for such a purpose.