Estimation of Genetic Risk of Radiation on Mature Oocytes of Mice by Using Next Generation Sequencer

Summary

The genetic risk estimation of human radiation exposure has relied for the most part on mouse studies focusing on specific loci, although sensitivity varied from one locus to another. To better understand the mean mutation-induction rate per genome, a large number of genes per individual needs to be examined concurrently. For this purpose, we have examined radiation-induced mutation frequency by measuring deletions detected with two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, which scans some 1,000 loci, and high-density microarray comparative genome hybridization, which surveys approximately 70% of the genome. In this research protocol, we propose to conduct a detailed investigation by whole-genome sequencing of mouse parents and their offspring born to 4-Gy irradiated mature oocytes using next generation sequencing. We will clarify the mutation frequency and spectrum for small deletions/insertions, inversions, and translocations that are not detectable by the above-mentioned methods.