DNA--Protein Cross-Links in Different Organs of Mice Induced by the Combined Action of Zinc and gamma-Irradiation

A. N. Osipov¹, V. D. Sypin¹, and G. Ya. Kolomijtseva^2*

¹Moscow State Enterprise “United Ecological Technological Research Center on Neutralization of Radioactive Waste and Environmental Protection” (Radon), 7-oi Rostovskii Pereulok 2/14, Moscow, 119121 Russia; fax: (095) 248-1941

²Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119899 Russia; fax: (095) 939-3181; E-mail: kolom@belozgenebee.msu.su

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received April 29, 1998

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Fractional whole-body gamma-irradiation of mice at total doses of 0.5-1.5 Gy induces increased DNA-protein cross-links (DPCs) in thymus, spleen, and brain, whereas in liver no DPCs are detected. Chronic administration of zinc ions in drinking water at concentration 10 mg/liter for 20-30 days increased DPCs in thymus, spleen, brain, and liver of mice. The combined action of zinc ions and gamma-radiation produced a significantly lower amount of DPCs than was induced by the separate action of these agents.

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KEY WORDS: DNA-protein cross-links, zinc, gamma-radiation

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