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Epigenetic changes and nontargeted radiation effects—Is there a link?
Author(s) -
Kovalchuk Olga,
Baulch Janet E.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
environmental and molecular mutagenesis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1098-2280
pISSN - 0893-6692
DOI - 10.1002/em.20361
Subject(s) - epigenetics , link (geometry) , biology , genetics , computational biology , bioinformatics , computer science , gene , computer network
It is now well accepted that the effects of ionizing radiation (IR) exposure can be noticed far beyond the borders of the directly irradiated tissue. IR can affect neighboring cells in the proximity, giving rise to a bystander effect. IR effects can also span several generations and influence the progeny of exposed parents, leading to transgeneration effects. Bystander and transgeneration IR effects are linked to the phenomenon of the IR‐induced genome instability that manifests itself as chromosome aberrations, gene mutations, late cell death, and aneuploidy. While the occurrence of the abovementioned phenomena is well documented, the exact mechanisms that lead to their development have still to be delineated. Evidence suggests that the IR‐induced genome instability, bystander, and transgeneration effects may be epigenetically mediated. The epigenetic changes encompass DNA methylation, histone modification, and RNA‐associated silencing. Recent studies demonstrated that IR exposure alters epigenetic parameters in the directly exposed tissues and in the distant bystander tissues. Transgeneration radiation effects were also proposed to be of an epigenetic nature. We will discuss the role of the epigenetic mechanisms in radiation responses, bystander effects, and transgeneration effects. Environ. Mol. Mutagen., 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.