Detection of Radiosensitivity by Means of Three-Color FISH

Abstract

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using whole chromosome painting (wcp) probes has been shown to be a reliable technique for studying chromosomal changes. Early investigations in radiation cytogenetics have been performed using classical cytogenetic analysis of Giemsa-stained (e.g. Schmid and Bauchinger, 1969) or GTG-banded chromosomes (e.g. Barrios et al. 1989). The application of FISH with wcp probes has extended the spectrum of observed aberrations. Now the reliable detection of trans-locations, insertions and complex rearrangements is possible in addition to the well-known acentric fragments, dicentrics and ring chromosomes. Even though this approach can be done by painting one single chromosome only (e.g. Natarajan et al. 1992) the simultaneous labeling of chromosomes 1, 2 and 4 in three different colors allows a more differentiated analysis of complex chromosome aberrations. Using this three-color FISH technique where the three selected chromosomes represent about 22% of the DNA-content of the human genome a sensitive method for studying radiation-induced chromosomal aberrations is available (Gebhart et al. 1996).