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DOE OSTI · 1651107

Deuterium Concentration Effects on Cell Cycle Progression

Kuhne, Wendy W.·Langan, Candace J.·Angelette, Lucas M.·Hawthorne, Lesleyann
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Abstract

Deuterium (D), which is found in natural water at ~ 150 ppm, seems to play an important role in biology. For example, D concentrations above 150 ppm are known to produce toxic effects in many organisms. There is also evidence to suggest D levels significantly less than 150 ppm can cause delays in progression through the normal mitotic cell cycle. Some have even theorized that the D:H ratio in cells may impact an organism’s radiation resistance. Therefore, evaluating the role of D and the D:H ratio in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells should lead to a better understanding of cell cycle progression and radiation resistance in these organisms. Research in this field has likely been stalled by the limited availability of D 2 O with varying D concentrations needed to accurately study the deuterium effects. However, SRNL can currently manufacture D 2 O in varying concentrations, and we have assembled a unique team of radiation biologists, microbiologists, radiochemists, and health physics to form an interdisciplinary research group to study the cell cycle as a function of D concentration in order to address several fundamental science questions. Proposed work in FY20 was a collaborative effort with Augusta University to utilized BSL-2 mammalian cell lines. Lab work was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. An intensive literature review was performed and identified pertinent knowledge gaps that could be filled in future research efforts.

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Kuhne, Wendy W., Langan, Candace J., Angelette, Lucas M., Hawthorne, Lesleyann. 2020-08-21. Deuterium Concentration Effects on Cell Cycle Progression. https://doi.org/10.2172/1651107

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