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The potential germline effects of radiation exposure to military veterans present at British nuclear tests in Australia and the South Pacific is of considerable interest. We analyzed germline mutations in 60 families of UK military personnel comprising 30 control and 30 nuclear test veterans (NTV). Using whole-genome sequencing we studied the frequency and spectra of de novo mutations to investigate the transgenerational effect of veterans' (potential) exposure to radiation at nuclear bomb test sites. We find no elevation in total de novo single nucleotide variants, small insertion-deletions, structural variants or clustered mutations among the offspring of nuclear test veterans compared to those of control personnel. We did observe an elevated occurrence of single base substitution mutations within mutation signature SBS16, due to a subset of NTV offspring. The relevance of this elevation to potential exposure of veteran fathers and, future health risks, require further investigation. Overall, we find no evidence of increased mutations in the germline of a group of British nuclear test veterans. ISRCTN Registry 17461668. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the influence of p53 deficiency on somatic genetic stability is well established, its effect in the germline is poorly understood. Mutation rates at two expanded simple tandem repeat (ESTR) loci were studied in the germline of nonexposed and irradiated p53-deficient mice. Spontaneous mutation rates in the homozygous and heterozygous p53-deficient males did not significantly differ from that in the isogenic wild-type mice. Acute exposure to 1 Gy of X rays resulted in a similar increase in mutation rates across males with different p53 genotypes. ESTR mutation spectra did not significantly differ across males with different p53 genotypes. Taken together, these results suggest that p53-deficiency does not affect spontaneous and radiation-induced mutation in the mouse germline.Oncogene (2005) 24, 4315–4318. doi:10.1038/sj.onc.1208604 Published online 4 April 2005 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To date, the analysis of mutation induction has provided an irrefutable evidence for an elevated germline mutation rate in the parents directly exposed to ionizing radiation and a number of chemical mutagens. However, the results of numerous publications suggest that radiation may also have an indirect effect on genome stability, which is transmitted through the germ line of irradiated parents to their offspring. This review describes the phenomenon of transgenerational instability and focuses on the data showing increased cancer incidence and elevated mutation rates in the germ line and somatic tissues of the offspring of irradiated parents. The possible mechanisms of transgenerational instability are also discussed.Oncogene (2003) 22, 7087-7093. doi:10.1038/sj.onc.1206993 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on germline mutation at human minisatellite loci among children born in heavily polluted areas of the Mogilev district of Belarus after the 1996 Chernobyl nuclear accident in Ukraine. Frequency of mutation; Level of caesium-137 surface contamination; Radiation induction of germline mutation.

Reports on a study of the effect of chronic exposure to radiation on wheat plants. Details of the study which planted wheat in a plot contaminated by the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident and in a controlled plot; Indications that the exposed plants had an increased frequency of heterozygous structural variants; Opinion that further research needs to be conducted to analyse the genetic effects of chronic radiation exposure.

Focuses on the development of arabidopsis thaliana plants that carry a nonfunctional beta-glucuronidase gene which acts as a recombinant substrate for detecting DNA rearrangement due to radiation damage. Health impact of Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident; Role of transgenic plants for the assessment of genetic hazards of radiation; Impact of high level of radiation on recombination rate of arabidosis system.

Focuses on the indirect effect of radiation on somatic genome stability that is transmissible through the germ line of irradiated parents. Parental exposure to ionizing radiation; Increase in the frequency of germline mutations detectable in the next generation; Increased expanded simple-tandem repeat mutation rates.