Meiotic prophase I is a long and complex phase. Homologous recombination is an important process that occurs between homologous chromosomes during meiotic prophase I. Formation of chiasmata, which hold homologous chro...Meiotic prophase I is a long and complex phase. Homologous recombination is an important process that occurs between homologous chromosomes during meiotic prophase I. Formation of chiasmata, which hold homologous chromosomes together until the metaphase I to anaphase I transition, is critical for proper chromosome segregation. Recent studies have suggested that the SPO 11 proteins have conserved functions in a number of organisms in generating sites of double-stranded DNA breaks (DSBs) that are thought to be the starting points of homologous recombination. Processing of these sites of DSBs requires the function of RecA homologs, such as RAD5 1, DMC 1, and others, as suggested by mutant studies; thus the failure to repair these meiotic DSBs results in abnormal chromosomal alternations, leading to disrupted meiosis. Recent discoveries on the functions of these RecA homologs have improved the understanding of the mechanisms underlying meiotic homologous recombination.展开更多
Recent studies have suggested an involvement of processing pathways for the initiation of cellular responses induced by topoisomerase-targeting drugs. Here, we showed that cellular exposure to camptothecin (CPT) ind...Recent studies have suggested an involvement of processing pathways for the initiation of cellular responses induced by topoisomerase-targeting drugs. Here, we showed that cellular exposure to camptothecin (CPT) induced formation of topoisomerase I cleavable complex (TOPlcc), degradation of TOP1 and activation of DNA damage responses (DDR). Transcription and proteasome-dependent proteolysis, but not replication, were involved in CPTo indneed TOPl degradation, while none of above three processing activities affected TOPlcc formation. Replication- and transcription-initiated proeessing (RIP and TIP) of TOPlee were identified as two independent pathways, which contribute distinctly to various CPT-activated DDR. Specifically, in cycling cells, RIP-processed TOPlec triggered the CPT-induced RPA pbosphorylation. At higher CPT dosages, the TIP pathway is required for other DDR activation, including ATM, p53 and Chkl/2 phosphorylation. The TIP pathway was further demonstrated to be S-phase independent by using three nonreplicating cell models. Furthermore, the effect of proteasome inhibitors mimicked that of transcription inhibition on the CPT-induced activation of DDR, suggesting the involvement of proteasome in the TIP pathway. Interestingly, the TIP pathway was important for TOPlcc-activated, but not ionization radiationactivated ATM, p53 and Chk2 phosphorylation. We have also found that pharmacological interferences of TIP and RIP pathways distinctively modulated the CPT-induced cell killing with treatments at low and high dosages, respec- tively. Together, our results support that both RIP and TIP pathways of TOPlcc are required for the activation of CPT-induced DDR and cytotoxicity.展开更多
Programmed DNA double-strand break(DSB)formation is a crucial step in meiotic recombination,yet techniques for highefficiency and precise mapping of the 3’ends of DSBs are still in their infancy.Here,we report a nove...Programmed DNA double-strand break(DSB)formation is a crucial step in meiotic recombination,yet techniques for highefficiency and precise mapping of the 3’ends of DSBs are still in their infancy.Here,we report a novel technique,named DNA End tailing and sequencing(DEtail-seq),which can directly and ultra-efficiently characterize the 3’ends of meiotic DSBs with near single-nucleotide resolution in a variety of species,including yeast,mouse,and human.We find that the 3’ends of meiotic DSBs are stable without significant resection in budding yeast.Meiotic DSBs are strongly enriched in de novo H3K4me3 peaks in the mouse genome at leptotene stage.We also profile meiotic DSBs in human and find DSB hotspots are enriched near the common fragile sites during human meiosis,especially at CCCTC-binding factor(CTCF)-associated enhancers.Therefore,DEtail-seq provides a powerful method to detect DSB ends in various species,and our results provide new insights into the distribution and regulation of meiotic DSB hotspots.展开更多
Repair of DNA double-strand breaks(DSBs) via the homologous recombination(HR) pathway is a highly regulated process. A number of proteins that participate in HR are intricately modulated by the cell cycle and chromati...Repair of DNA double-strand breaks(DSBs) via the homologous recombination(HR) pathway is a highly regulated process. A number of proteins that participate in HR are intricately modulated by the cell cycle and chromatin environments of DSBs. Recent studies have revealed a clear impact of transcription on HR in transcribed regions of the genome. Several models have been put forth to explain how the process of transcription and/or its RNA products may influence HR. Here we discuss the results and models from these studies, presenting an emerging view of transcription-coupled DSB repair.展开更多
The genomes of eukaryotic cells are under continuous assault by environmental agents and endogenous metabolic byproducts. Damage induced in DNA usually leads to a cascade of cellular events, the DNA damage response. F...The genomes of eukaryotic cells are under continuous assault by environmental agents and endogenous metabolic byproducts. Damage induced in DNA usually leads to a cascade of cellular events, the DNA damage response. Failure of the DNA damage response can lead to development of malignancy by reducing the efficiency and fidelity of DNA repair. The NBS1 protein is a component of the MRE11/RAD50/NBS 1 complex (MRN) that plays a critical role in the cellular response to DNA damage and the maintenance of chromosomal integrity. Mutations in the NBS1 gene are responsible for Nijmegen breakage syndrome (NBS), a hereditary disorder that imparts an increased predisposition to development of malignancy. The phenotypic characteristics of cells isolated from NBS patients point to a deficiency in the repair of DNA double strand breaks. Here, we review the current knowledge of the role of NBS1 in the DNA damage response. Emphasis is placed on the role of NBS1 in the DNA double strand repair, modulation of the DNA damage sensing and signaling, cell cycle checkpoint control and maintenance oftelomere stability.展开更多
Hepatitis B virus(HBV)-induced hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) is one of the most fre-quently occurring cancers.Hepadnaviral DNA integrations are considered to be essential agents which can promote the process of the he...Hepatitis B virus(HBV)-induced hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) is one of the most fre-quently occurring cancers.Hepadnaviral DNA integrations are considered to be essential agents which can promote the process of the hepatocarcinogenesis.More and more researches were designed to find the relationship of the two.In this study,we investigated whether HBV DNA integration occurred at sites of DNA double-strand breaks(DSBs),one of the most detrimental DNA damage.An 18-bp I-SceI homing endonuclease recognition site was introduced into the DNA of HepG2 cell line by stable DNA transfection,then cells were incubated in patients’ serum with high HBV DNA copies and at the same time,DSBs were induced by transient expression of I-SceI after transfection of an I-SceI expression vector.By using nest PCR,the viral DNA was detected at the sites of the break.It appeared that integra-tion occurred between part of HBV x gene and the I-SceI induced breaks.The results suggested that DSBs,as the DNA damages,may serve as potential targets for hepadnaviral DNA insertion and the integrants would lead to widespread host genome changes necessarily.It provided a new site to investi-gate the integration.展开更多
DNA damage in oocytes can cause infertility and birth defects. DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are highly deleterious and can substantially impair genome integrity. Homologous recombination (HR)-mediated DNA DSB r...DNA damage in oocytes can cause infertility and birth defects. DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are highly deleterious and can substantially impair genome integrity. Homologous recombination (HR)-mediated DNA DSB repair plays dominant roles in safeguarding oocyte quantity and quality. However, little is known regarding the key players of the HR repair pathway in oocytes. Here, we identified oocyte-specific gene Ooep as a novel key component of the HR repair pathway in mouse oocytes. OOEP was required for efficient ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) kinase activation and Rad51 recombinase (RAD51) focal accumulation at DNA DSBs. Ooep null oocytes were defective in DNA DSB repair and prone to apoptosis upon exogenous DNA damage insults. Moreover, Ooep null oocytes exhibited delayed meiotic maturation. Therefore, OOEP played roles in preserving oocyte quantity and quality by maintaining genome stability. Ooep expression decreased with the advance of maternal age, suggesting its involvement in maternal aging.展开更多
Plasmid DNA was irradiated or implanted by mixed particle field(CR) or lithium-ion-beam to detect strand breaks.The primary results showed that mixed particle field could induce single and double strand breaks with po...Plasmid DNA was irradiated or implanted by mixed particle field(CR) or lithium-ion-beam to detect strand breaks.The primary results showed that mixed particle field could induce single and double strand breaks with positive linear-dose-effects;most of sequence changes induced by CR were point mutant.Lithium-ion-beam could induce strand breaks also,but it was only at dose of 20Gy.展开更多
The yield of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) is sure to be influenced by theenvironment around DNA molecule. Inverse pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PIGE) has beenapplied to compare the sensitivity of B16 cells and ...The yield of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) is sure to be influenced by theenvironment around DNA molecule. Inverse pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PIGE) has beenapplied to compare the sensitivity of B16 cells and their DNA in DSBs induced by 75 MeV/u16O8+ beam. Results show that the percentages of DNA released from the plug(PR) in bothkinds of tile samples increase with the dose and approach a similar quasi-threshold of about81%. A simple new equation was presented to calculate the break level of DNA molecules.Within a certain dose, the relationship between the break level and the dose is linear. Theyield of DSBs in deproteinized DNA was 1.11 DSBs/100 Mbp/Gy, while that in intact cells was0.60DSBs/100Mbp/Gy. It is testified that deproteinized DNA is more sensitive to oxygen ionsirradiation than intact cells.展开更多
Objective To explore if strand breaks of DNA in human early chorionic villus cells in uterus were induced by diagnostic ultrasound and to evaluate the method used for detection of single-stranded breaks and double-str...Objective To explore if strand breaks of DNA in human early chorionic villus cells in uterus were induced by diagnostic ultrasound and to evaluate the method used for detection of single-stranded breaks and double-stranded breaks in human DNA. Methods 60 normal pregnant women aged 20-30, who underwent artificial abortion during 6-8 weeks of gestation, were randomly divided into 2 experimental groups: All 30 cases were exposed to diagnostic ultrasound in uterus for 10 minutes, and 24 hours later chorionic villi were extracted; the other 30 cases were taken as the control group. Single-stranded DNA and double-stranded DNA in villus cells in all cases were isolated by the alkaline unwinding combined with hydroxylapatite chromatography, and were quantitatively detected using 32 P-labeled Alu probe for dot-blotting hybridization. Results There was no significant difference in quantity and percentage in single-stranded DNA and double-stranded DNA between 2 groups (P>0.05). 32 P-Alu probe could only hybridize with human DNA, and could detect DNA isolated from as few as 2.5×10 3 chorionic villus cells and 0.45ng DNA in human leukocytes. Conclusion The results suggested that there were no DNA strand damages in human chorionic villus cells when the uterus was exposed to diagnostic ultrasound for 10 minutes. The method,^(32)P-Alu probe for dot-blotting hybridization, was even more specific, sensitive and accurate than conventional approaches.展开更多
The purpose of the study was to investigate if the high gradient strength and slew rate used for long MRI-thermometry monitoring could cause DNA double-stranded breaks (DSBs). To this end, an enzyme-linked immunosorbe...The purpose of the study was to investigate if the high gradient strength and slew rate used for long MRI-thermometry monitoring could cause DNA double-stranded breaks (DSBs). To this end, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to quantify γH2AX, a molecular marker for DSBs, in the blood of mice after a 6-hour exposure to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Fourteen CF-1 female mice were separated into 4 experimental groups: Untreated negative control, MRI-treated, MRI-Control, and exposed to ionizing radiation positive control. Untreated negative control was used as a baseline for ELISA to quantify γH2AX. MRI-treated consisted of a 6-hour continuous magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) echo planar imaging (EPI) sequence with a slew rate of 192 mT/m/s constituting a significantly longer imaging time than routine clinical imaging. MRI-control mice were maintained under the same conditions outside the MRI scanner for 6-hours. Mice in the irradiation group served as a positive control of DSBs and were exposed to either 2 Gy, 5 Gy or 10 Gy of ionizing radiation. DSBs in the blood lymphocytes from the treatment groups were analyzed using the γH2AX ELISA and compared. Total protein concentration in lysates was determined for each blood sample and averaged 1 ± 0.35 mg/mL. Irradiated positive controls were used to test radiation dose-dependency of the γH2AX ELISA assay where a linear dependency on radiation exposure was observed (r<sup>2</sup> = 0.93) between untreated and irradiated samples. Mean and standard error mean of γH2AX formation were calculated and compared between each treatment group. Repeated measures 1-way ANOVA showed statistically significant differences between the means of irradiated controls and both the MRI-control and MRI-treated groups. There was no statistically significant difference between the MRI-treated samples and the MRI-control groups. Our results show that long MRI exposure at a high slew rate did not cause increased levels of γH2AX when compared to control mice, suggesting that no increase in DSBs was caused by the long MR thermometry imaging session. The novelty of this work contradicts other studies that have suggested MRI may cause DSBs;this work suggests an alternative cause of DNA damage.展开更多
基金The authors thank Alexandra Surcel and Carey L Hendrix Lord for helpful comments on this manuscript.The work in our laboratory is supported by grants from the National Science Foundation(IBN-0077832,MCB-9896340,MCB-0092075)the National Institutes of Health(R0 1 GM63871)+3 种基金the US Department of Agriculture(2001-35301-10570 and 2003-35301-13313)Wuxing L was partially supported by the Intercollege Graduate Degree Program in Plant PhysiologyHong M gratefully acknowledges the support of the John Simon Guggenheim Foundationthe National Institutes of Health(F33 GM72245-1).
文摘Meiotic prophase I is a long and complex phase. Homologous recombination is an important process that occurs between homologous chromosomes during meiotic prophase I. Formation of chiasmata, which hold homologous chromosomes together until the metaphase I to anaphase I transition, is critical for proper chromosome segregation. Recent studies have suggested that the SPO 11 proteins have conserved functions in a number of organisms in generating sites of double-stranded DNA breaks (DSBs) that are thought to be the starting points of homologous recombination. Processing of these sites of DSBs requires the function of RecA homologs, such as RAD5 1, DMC 1, and others, as suggested by mutant studies; thus the failure to repair these meiotic DSBs results in abnormal chromosomal alternations, leading to disrupted meiosis. Recent discoveries on the functions of these RecA homologs have improved the understanding of the mechanisms underlying meiotic homologous recombination.
文摘Recent studies have suggested an involvement of processing pathways for the initiation of cellular responses induced by topoisomerase-targeting drugs. Here, we showed that cellular exposure to camptothecin (CPT) induced formation of topoisomerase I cleavable complex (TOPlcc), degradation of TOP1 and activation of DNA damage responses (DDR). Transcription and proteasome-dependent proteolysis, but not replication, were involved in CPTo indneed TOPl degradation, while none of above three processing activities affected TOPlcc formation. Replication- and transcription-initiated proeessing (RIP and TIP) of TOPlee were identified as two independent pathways, which contribute distinctly to various CPT-activated DDR. Specifically, in cycling cells, RIP-processed TOPlec triggered the CPT-induced RPA pbosphorylation. At higher CPT dosages, the TIP pathway is required for other DDR activation, including ATM, p53 and Chkl/2 phosphorylation. The TIP pathway was further demonstrated to be S-phase independent by using three nonreplicating cell models. Furthermore, the effect of proteasome inhibitors mimicked that of transcription inhibition on the CPT-induced activation of DDR, suggesting the involvement of proteasome in the TIP pathway. Interestingly, the TIP pathway was important for TOPlcc-activated, but not ionization radiationactivated ATM, p53 and Chk2 phosphorylation. We have also found that pharmacological interferences of TIP and RIP pathways distinctively modulated the CPT-induced cell killing with treatments at low and high dosages, respec- tively. Together, our results support that both RIP and TIP pathways of TOPlcc are required for the activation of CPT-induced DDR and cytotoxicity.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (91740105,31822028,32071437,31900302)Central Public-interest Scientific Institution Basal Research Fund (Y2022QC33)。
文摘Programmed DNA double-strand break(DSB)formation is a crucial step in meiotic recombination,yet techniques for highefficiency and precise mapping of the 3’ends of DSBs are still in their infancy.Here,we report a novel technique,named DNA End tailing and sequencing(DEtail-seq),which can directly and ultra-efficiently characterize the 3’ends of meiotic DSBs with near single-nucleotide resolution in a variety of species,including yeast,mouse,and human.We find that the 3’ends of meiotic DSBs are stable without significant resection in budding yeast.Meiotic DSBs are strongly enriched in de novo H3K4me3 peaks in the mouse genome at leptotene stage.We also profile meiotic DSBs in human and find DSB hotspots are enriched near the common fragile sites during human meiosis,especially at CCCTC-binding factor(CTCF)-associated enhancers.Therefore,DEtail-seq provides a powerful method to detect DSB ends in various species,and our results provide new insights into the distribution and regulation of meiotic DSB hotspots.
基金supported by NIH grants (GM076388 and CA197779 to Lee Zou, GM118833 to Li Lan)
文摘Repair of DNA double-strand breaks(DSBs) via the homologous recombination(HR) pathway is a highly regulated process. A number of proteins that participate in HR are intricately modulated by the cell cycle and chromatin environments of DSBs. Recent studies have revealed a clear impact of transcription on HR in transcribed regions of the genome. Several models have been put forth to explain how the process of transcription and/or its RNA products may influence HR. Here we discuss the results and models from these studies, presenting an emerging view of transcription-coupled DSB repair.
文摘The genomes of eukaryotic cells are under continuous assault by environmental agents and endogenous metabolic byproducts. Damage induced in DNA usually leads to a cascade of cellular events, the DNA damage response. Failure of the DNA damage response can lead to development of malignancy by reducing the efficiency and fidelity of DNA repair. The NBS1 protein is a component of the MRE11/RAD50/NBS 1 complex (MRN) that plays a critical role in the cellular response to DNA damage and the maintenance of chromosomal integrity. Mutations in the NBS1 gene are responsible for Nijmegen breakage syndrome (NBS), a hereditary disorder that imparts an increased predisposition to development of malignancy. The phenotypic characteristics of cells isolated from NBS patients point to a deficiency in the repair of DNA double strand breaks. Here, we review the current knowledge of the role of NBS1 in the DNA damage response. Emphasis is placed on the role of NBS1 in the DNA double strand repair, modulation of the DNA damage sensing and signaling, cell cycle checkpoint control and maintenance oftelomere stability.
基金supported by grants from National Natural Sciences Foundation of China (No.30872237)the National Basic Research Program of China(No.2007CB512900)
文摘Hepatitis B virus(HBV)-induced hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) is one of the most fre-quently occurring cancers.Hepadnaviral DNA integrations are considered to be essential agents which can promote the process of the hepatocarcinogenesis.More and more researches were designed to find the relationship of the two.In this study,we investigated whether HBV DNA integration occurred at sites of DNA double-strand breaks(DSBs),one of the most detrimental DNA damage.An 18-bp I-SceI homing endonuclease recognition site was introduced into the DNA of HepG2 cell line by stable DNA transfection,then cells were incubated in patients’ serum with high HBV DNA copies and at the same time,DSBs were induced by transient expression of I-SceI after transfection of an I-SceI expression vector.By using nest PCR,the viral DNA was detected at the sites of the break.It appeared that integra-tion occurred between part of HBV x gene and the I-SceI induced breaks.The results suggested that DSBs,as the DNA damages,may serve as potential targets for hepadnaviral DNA insertion and the integrants would lead to widespread host genome changes necessarily.It provided a new site to investi-gate the integration.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2017YFC1001102)National Natural Science Foundation of China(81760507)
文摘DNA damage in oocytes can cause infertility and birth defects. DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are highly deleterious and can substantially impair genome integrity. Homologous recombination (HR)-mediated DNA DSB repair plays dominant roles in safeguarding oocyte quantity and quality. However, little is known regarding the key players of the HR repair pathway in oocytes. Here, we identified oocyte-specific gene Ooep as a novel key component of the HR repair pathway in mouse oocytes. OOEP was required for efficient ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) kinase activation and Rad51 recombinase (RAD51) focal accumulation at DNA DSBs. Ooep null oocytes were defective in DNA DSB repair and prone to apoptosis upon exogenous DNA damage insults. Moreover, Ooep null oocytes exhibited delayed meiotic maturation. Therefore, OOEP played roles in preserving oocyte quantity and quality by maintaining genome stability. Ooep expression decreased with the advance of maternal age, suggesting its involvement in maternal aging.
文摘Plasmid DNA was irradiated or implanted by mixed particle field(CR) or lithium-ion-beam to detect strand breaks.The primary results showed that mixed particle field could induce single and double strand breaks with positive linear-dose-effects;most of sequence changes induced by CR were point mutant.Lithium-ion-beam could induce strand breaks also,but it was only at dose of 20Gy.
文摘The yield of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) is sure to be influenced by theenvironment around DNA molecule. Inverse pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PIGE) has beenapplied to compare the sensitivity of B16 cells and their DNA in DSBs induced by 75 MeV/u16O8+ beam. Results show that the percentages of DNA released from the plug(PR) in bothkinds of tile samples increase with the dose and approach a similar quasi-threshold of about81%. A simple new equation was presented to calculate the break level of DNA molecules.Within a certain dose, the relationship between the break level and the dose is linear. Theyield of DSBs in deproteinized DNA was 1.11 DSBs/100 Mbp/Gy, while that in intact cells was0.60DSBs/100Mbp/Gy. It is testified that deproteinized DNA is more sensitive to oxygen ionsirradiation than intact cells.
文摘Objective To explore if strand breaks of DNA in human early chorionic villus cells in uterus were induced by diagnostic ultrasound and to evaluate the method used for detection of single-stranded breaks and double-stranded breaks in human DNA. Methods 60 normal pregnant women aged 20-30, who underwent artificial abortion during 6-8 weeks of gestation, were randomly divided into 2 experimental groups: All 30 cases were exposed to diagnostic ultrasound in uterus for 10 minutes, and 24 hours later chorionic villi were extracted; the other 30 cases were taken as the control group. Single-stranded DNA and double-stranded DNA in villus cells in all cases were isolated by the alkaline unwinding combined with hydroxylapatite chromatography, and were quantitatively detected using 32 P-labeled Alu probe for dot-blotting hybridization. Results There was no significant difference in quantity and percentage in single-stranded DNA and double-stranded DNA between 2 groups (P>0.05). 32 P-Alu probe could only hybridize with human DNA, and could detect DNA isolated from as few as 2.5×10 3 chorionic villus cells and 0.45ng DNA in human leukocytes. Conclusion The results suggested that there were no DNA strand damages in human chorionic villus cells when the uterus was exposed to diagnostic ultrasound for 10 minutes. The method,^(32)P-Alu probe for dot-blotting hybridization, was even more specific, sensitive and accurate than conventional approaches.
文摘The purpose of the study was to investigate if the high gradient strength and slew rate used for long MRI-thermometry monitoring could cause DNA double-stranded breaks (DSBs). To this end, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to quantify γH2AX, a molecular marker for DSBs, in the blood of mice after a 6-hour exposure to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Fourteen CF-1 female mice were separated into 4 experimental groups: Untreated negative control, MRI-treated, MRI-Control, and exposed to ionizing radiation positive control. Untreated negative control was used as a baseline for ELISA to quantify γH2AX. MRI-treated consisted of a 6-hour continuous magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) echo planar imaging (EPI) sequence with a slew rate of 192 mT/m/s constituting a significantly longer imaging time than routine clinical imaging. MRI-control mice were maintained under the same conditions outside the MRI scanner for 6-hours. Mice in the irradiation group served as a positive control of DSBs and were exposed to either 2 Gy, 5 Gy or 10 Gy of ionizing radiation. DSBs in the blood lymphocytes from the treatment groups were analyzed using the γH2AX ELISA and compared. Total protein concentration in lysates was determined for each blood sample and averaged 1 ± 0.35 mg/mL. Irradiated positive controls were used to test radiation dose-dependency of the γH2AX ELISA assay where a linear dependency on radiation exposure was observed (r<sup>2</sup> = 0.93) between untreated and irradiated samples. Mean and standard error mean of γH2AX formation were calculated and compared between each treatment group. Repeated measures 1-way ANOVA showed statistically significant differences between the means of irradiated controls and both the MRI-control and MRI-treated groups. There was no statistically significant difference between the MRI-treated samples and the MRI-control groups. Our results show that long MRI exposure at a high slew rate did not cause increased levels of γH2AX when compared to control mice, suggesting that no increase in DSBs was caused by the long MR thermometry imaging session. The novelty of this work contradicts other studies that have suggested MRI may cause DSBs;this work suggests an alternative cause of DNA damage.