Threshold effect for teratogenic risk of radiation depends on dose-rate and p53 -dependent apoptosis

Abstract

Foetal irradiation with 2 Gy at 1.2 mGy/min was not teratogenic for p53(+/+) mice but teratogenic for p53(-/-) mice. This indicates that the p53 gene is indispensable for a threshold effect in the risk of radiation at low doses or dose-rates.