Evaluation of DNA lesions caused by high-LET radiation using the polymerase chain reaction

Generally, it is thought that the bio-effect by the radiation depends on LET. Compared to low-LET radiation, High-LET radiation induces a large number of single and double stranded breaks. Therefore, it is important that radiation exposure of the different radiation of LET is monitored. In this paper, the evaluation methods of DNA lesions caused by high-LET radiation using the polymerase chain reaction are descried. We found that the efficiency of DNA synthesis decreased with increasing LET through experiment of the analysis of the DNA lesion by the polymerase chain reaction. In addition, it was confirmed about this method has the potential to be used to simultaneously evaluate the biological effects caused by high-LET radiation. ► The evaluation methods of DNA lesions caused by high-LET radiation using the polymerase chain reaction are presented. ► The efficiency of DNA synthesis decreased with increasing LET. ► The method presented here is useful to evaluate the biological effects by various types of radiation with different LET.