Intrinsic resistance to the lethal effects of x-irradiation in insect and arachnid cells

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Abstract
Twelve cell lines representing 10 genera of 3 orders (Diptera, Lepidoptera and Orthoptera) of the class Insecta and one cell line (Acarina) from the class Arachnida were examined to discern their sensitivity to the lethal effects of X-irradiation. Radiosensitivity was measured by a combination of colony formation and population growth curve techniques. Each of these arthropod cell lines is significantly more radioresistant than mammalian cells, though the degree of resistance varies greatly with order. Dipteran cells are 3-9 times and lepidopteran cells 52-104 times more radioresistant than mammalian cells. Orthopteran and acarine cells are intermediate. These cells, especially the lepidopteran, should be valuable in determining the molecular nature of repair mechanisms that result in resistance to ionizing radiation.