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Biophys J, April 2000, p. 1698-1702, Vol. 78, No. 4

Molecular Mass and Volume in Radiation Target Theory

James C. Osborne Jr.,* Jay H. Miller,dagger and E. S. Kempnerdagger

 *Beckman Coulter, Fullerton, California 92835, and  dagger Laboratory of Physical Biology, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892 USA

Radiation target analysis is based on the action of ionizing radiation directly on macromolecules. Interactions of this radiation with the molecules leads to considerable structural damage and consequent loss of biological activity. The radiation sensitivity is dependent on the size of the macromolecules. There has been confusion and discrepancy as to whether the molecular mass or the molecular volume was the determinant factor in the sensitivity. Some proteins are known to change their hydrodynamic volume at low pH, and this characteristic can be utilized to compare the radiation sensitivities of these proteins in the two states. The results show that the radiation sensitivity of proteins depends on the mass of the molecule and is independent of the molecular volume/shape.

Biophys J, April 2000, p. 1698-1702, Vol. 78, No. 4
© 2000 by the Biophysical Society   0006-3495/00/04/1698/05  $2.00




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