Lack of Differential G₂ Chromosomal Radiosensitivity between Non-tumorigenic and Tumorigenic Human Hybrid Cells (HeLa × Skin Fibroblasts)

Abstract

Previous studies have shown, that for log phase cultures, tumorigenic segregants of HeLa × skin fibroblast human hybrid cells are slightly more radiosensitive in terms of cell killing than their nontumorigenic parents (Redpath et al. 1985, Colman et al. 1988). Other studies have shown that these same tumorigenic segregants exhibit a markedly enhanced G₂ chromosomal radiosensitivity (Sanford et al. 1986) thus offering a possible explanation for the cell killing data. The present study set out to examine the G₂-phase radiosensitivity of these cells in terms of cell killing with the expectation that an enhanced sensitivity in the tumorigenic cells would be seen. No enhanced sensitivity was observed. The G₂ chromosomal radiosensitivity was then examined and no differential was seen between the non-tumorigenic and tumorigenic cells. This lack of confirmation of previously reported studies may be due to some technical differences in the experimental protocols.