Ayumi Narita

Visualisation of cell cycle modifications by X-ray irradiation of single HeLa cells using fluorescent ubiquitination-based cell cycle indicators

To explore the effects of X-ray irradiation on mammalian cell cycle dynamics, single cells using the fluorescent ubiquitination-based cell cycle indicator (Fucci) technique were tracked. HeLa cells expressing Fucci were used to visualise cell cycle modifications induced by irradiation. After cultured HeLa-Fucci cells were exposed to 5 Gy X-rays, fluorescent cell images were captured every 20 min for 48 h using a fluorescent microscope. Time dependence of the fluorescence intensity of S/G2 cells was analysed to examine the cell cycle dynamics of irradiated and non-irradiated control cells. The results showed that irradiated cells could be divided into two populations: one with similar cell cycle dynamics to that of non-irradiated cells, and another displaying a prolonged G2 phase. Based on these findings, it is proposed in this article that an underlying switch mechanism is involved in cell cycle regulation and the G2/M checkpoint of HeLa cells.

Cell cycle tracking for irradiated and unirradiated bystander cells in a single colony with exposure to a soft X-ray microbeam

Abstract Purpose: To establish a new experimental technique to explore the photoelectric and subsequent Auger effects on the cell cycles of soft X-ray microbeam-irradiated cells and unirradiated bystander cells in a single colony. Materials and methods: Several cells located in the center of a microcolony of HeLa-Fucci cells consisting of 20–80 cells were irradiated with soft X-ray (5.35 keV) microbeam using synchrotron radiation as a light source. All cells in the colony were tracked for 72 h by time-lapse microscopy imaging. Cell cycle progression, division, and death of each cell in the movies obtained were analyzed by pedigree assay. The number of cell divisions in the microcolony was also determined. Results: The fates of these cells were clarified by tracking both irradiated and unirradiated bystander cells. Irradiated cells showed significant cell cycle retardation, explosive cell death, or cell fusion after a few divisions. These serious effects were also observed in 15 and 26% of the bystander cells for 10 and 20 Gy irradiation, respectively, and frequently appeared in at least two daughter or granddaughter cells from a single-parent cell. Conclusions: We successfully tracked the fates of microbeam-irradiated cells and unirradiated bystander cells with live cell recordings, which have revealed the dynamics of soft X-ray irradiated and unirradiated bystander cells for the first time. Notably, cell deaths or cell cycle arrests frequently arose in closely related cells. These details would not have been revealed by a conventional immunostaining imaging method. Our approach promises to reveal the dynamic cellular effects of soft X-ray microbeam irradiation and subsequent Auger processes from various endpoints in future studies.

Chemical-state-selective observations on Si-SiOx at nanometer scale by photoelectron emission microscopy combined with synchrotron radiation

Photoelectron emission microscopy (PEEM) excited by soft X-rays from synchrotron light source has been applied to observations on chemical-state-selective images at nanometer scale for micro-patterned silicon oxides on silicon. The micro-patterns of silicon oxides were prepared by O2+ ion implantation in Si(001) using a mask of 12.5 μm periodicity. By tuning the energy of X-rays, we have observed nano-scaled images of Si-SiOx micro-pattern depending only on the valence states of silicon. The interfaces between Si and SiO2 became dim upon heating, but only Si (Si0) and SiO2 (Si4+) were seen. It was elucidated that the annealing induces the hopping of Si valence states from Si0 to Si4+ without taking any intermediate valence states such as Si2+ and Si3+.

Use of a DNA film on a self-assembled monolayer for investigating the physical process of DNA damage induced by core electron ionization.

Abstract Purpose: A novel two-layer sample composed of a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) film and self-assembled monolayer (SAM) was prepared on an inorganic surface to mimic the processes in which DNA is damaged by soft X-ray irradiation. Materials and methods: A mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTS) SAM was formed on a sapphire surface, then oligonucleotide (OGN) molecules were adsorbed on the MPTS-SAM. The thicknesses and chemical states of the layers were determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and near-edge X-ray fine structure (NEXAFS) around the phosphorus (P) and sulfur (S) K-edges. To induce the damage to the OGN molecules, the sample was irradiated with synchrotron soft X-rays. The chemical state of the OGN molecules before and after irradiation was examined by NEXAFS around the nitrogen (N) K-edge region. Results: The thickness of the MPTS-OGN layer was approximately 7.7 nm. The S atom of the OGN molecules was located at the bottom of the OGN layer. The peak shape of the N K-edge NEXAFS spectra of the MPTS-OGN layers clearly changed following irradiation. Conclusions: The MPTS-OGN layer formed on the sapphire surface. The chemical states and the structure of the interface were elucidated using synchrotron soft X-rays. The OGN molecules adsorbed on the MPTS films decomposed upon exposure to soft X-ray irradiation.

LIVE-CELL IMAGING STUDY OF MITOCHONDRIAL MORPHOLOGY IN MAMMALIAN CELLS EXPOSED TO X-RAYS

Morphological changes in mitochondria induced by X-irradiation in normal murine mammary gland cells were studied with a live-cell microscopic imaging technique. Mitochondria were visualised by staining with a specific fluorescent probe in the cells, which express fluorescent ubiquitination-based cell-cycle indicator 2 (Fucci2) probes to visualise cell cycle. In unirradiated cells, the number of cells with fragmented mitochondria was about 20 % of the total cells through observation period (96 h). In irradiated cells, the population with fragmented mitochondria significantly increased depending on the absorbed dose. Particularly, for 8 Gy irradiation, the accumulation of fragmentation persists even in the cells whose cell cycle came to a stand (80 % in G1 (G0-like) phase). The fraction reached to a maximum at 96 h after irradiation. The kinetics of the fraction with fragmented mitochondria was similar to that for cells in S/G2/M phase (20 %) through the observation period (120 h). The evidences show that, in irradiated cells, some signals are continually released from a nucleus or cytoplasm even in the G0-like cells to operate some sort of protein machineries involved in mitochondrial fission. It is inferred that this delayed mitochondrial fragmentation is strongly related to their dysfunction, and hence might modulate radiobiological effects such as mutation or cell death.

DNA damage by soft X-ray exposure at oxygen K-edge

In order to obtain detailed insights into the physicochemical mechanism of DNA damage induction in terms of photoabsorption modes, we have prepared thin DNA films of closed circular plasmid (pUC18) on a cover slip without any additives. Using this film, we have performed preliminary experiments by exposing to soft X-rays with energies around oxygen K-shell ionization threshold. The DNA damage yields of strand breaks and base lesions or AP sites were quantified by biochemical treatments. We confirmed that the DNA film can work as a specimen irradiation. The DNA damage yields induced by π* excitation of a K-shell electron of oxygen atoms in DNA were significantly larger those for oxygen K-ionization.