Mitochondrial DNA point mutations and a novel deletion induced by direct low-LET radiation and by medium from irradiated cells

Radiation damage incurred by nuclear DNA is well documented and interest is increasing in the properties of 'bystander' factor(s) and their ability to induce radiation-like damage in cells never exposed to radiation. 'Bystander' and direct low-LET radiation effects on the mitochondria, and more particularly the mitochondrial genome are less well understood. In this study HPV-G cells (a human keratinocyte cell line derived from human neonatal …