[Results of and prospects for methods of determination of the frequency of mutant cells for glycophorin A and T-cell receptor loci to estimate long-term genotoxic effect of ionizing radiation].

The usage of two methods for assessment of somatic gene mutations for the purpose of biological dosimetry and estimation of consequences of irradiation at long time after the exposure has been discussed. The determination of cells bearing mutated glycophorin A (GPA) locus is a reliable method for biodosimetry at both short and long time after the acute irradiation according to our results and the data of other authors. For prolonged exposure, the GPA-method is less informative than in cases of acute irradiation. The determination of mutant cell frequency at T-cell receptor (TCR) locus may be used only at short time after the irradiation. Meanwhile, the TCR-method is more sensitive and informative for biodosimetry of recent irradiation than the GPA test. The both methods may be used for individual assessment of long-term health consequences after the irradiation, because persons with elevated frequencies of mutant cells may represent a group at high risk in respect to oncological diseases.