Fibroblasts from bank voles inhabiting Chernobyl have increased resistance against oxidative and DNA stresses.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Elevated levels of environmental ionizing radiation can be a selective pressure for wildlife by producing reactive oxygen species and DNA damage. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms that are affected are not known.

Results

We isolated skin fibroblasts from bank voles (Myodes glareolus) inhabiting the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident site where background radiation levels are about 100 times greater than in uncontaminated areas. After a 10 Gy dose of gamma radiation fibroblasts from Chernobyl animals recovered faster than fibroblasts isolated from bank voles living in uncontaminated control area. The Chernobyl fibroblasts were able to sustain significantly higher doses of an oxidant and they had, on average, a higher total antioxidant capacity than t

SUBMITTER: Mustonen V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6114495 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature