Intracellular potassium: 40K as a primordial gene irradiator.

Abstract
The low energy electrons (Auger and Coster-Kronig) emitted after the electron capture decay of 40K may have highly localized radiochemical effects on the genetic material-effects dependent upon the intracellular locus of K. These effects are such that the likelihood of mutagenesis by their impact on DNA is substantial. Intracellular 40K has played a significant role as a mutagenic agent in evolution.