Mitotic chromosome loss in a radiation-sensitive strain of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Abstract
Cells of S. cerevisiae with mutations in the RAD52 gene are defective in meiotic and mitotic recombination, in sporulation, and in repair of radiation-induced damage to DNA. Diploid cells homozygous for rad52 lose chromosomes at high frequencies; these frequencies of loss can be increased by exposure of these cells to X-rays. In survivors of X-ray treatment chromosome loss events result in the conversion of diploid cells to cells with nearhaploid chromosome numbers.