A Quantitative Study of Cell Death and Mitotic Inhibition in γ-Irradiated Imaginal Wing Discs of Drosophila melanogaster

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Abstract
A dose of 2500 R of γ rays was shown by cell counting to kill about 30% of the cells in developing wing discs of Drosophila within 4 hr after irradiation. Histologically detectable cell death continues for at least 44 hr after it first appears, indicating a delayed effect on some cells. The radiation also inhibits mitosis; this effect is evident 1 hr after irradiation and is maximal at 4 hr. Mitosis resumes 8 hr after irradiation, and by 24 hr, sufficient cell division is taking place to offset the continuous cell death seen, and the discs register a net gain in cell number. It is concluded that irradiation affects imaginal disc cells by damaging the nuclei, and that the damage is manifest in cell death when the cells attempt to divide.