Radiation Studies on the Nature of Chromosome Breakage

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Abstract
We have been able to study separately the phenomena of chromosome breakage and rejoining, phenomena that are involved in the production of intergenic mutations. It seems as though protein synthesis is necessary for the rejoining to occur and so far our results are not inconsistent with the interpretation that the actual bonds formed are protein links. We do know that RNA and DNA synthesis do not seem to be involved. However, it still might be that the protein synthesis is only making enzymes that are necessary for the repair of these breaks and that we have not as yet characterized the bond formed. It has also been established that cellular metabolism is important in the genetic damage repair that is manifested as rejoining of breaks. It has been found that a similar postirradiation treatment can decrease, in other organisms, genetic damage that may be point mutations.