Cellular responses to ionizing radiation change quickly over time during early development in zebrafish

Animal cells constantly receive information about and respond to environmental factors, including ionizing radiation. Although it is crucial for a cell to repair radiation-induced DNA damage to ensure survival, cellular responses to radiation exposure during early embryonic development remain unclear. In this study, we analyzed the effects of ionizing radiation in zebrafish embryos and found that radiation-induced gamma H2AX foci formation and cell cycle arrest did not occur until the gastrula stage, despite the presence of major DNA repair-related gene transcripts, passed on as maternal factors. Interestingly, P21/WAF1 accumulation began similar to 6 h post-fertilization, although p21 mRNA was upregulated by irradiation at 2 or 4 h post-fertilization. These results suggest that the cellular responses of zebrafish embryos at 2 or 4 h post-fertilization to radiation failed to overcome P21 protein accumulation and further signaling. Regulation of P21/WAF1 protein stabilization appears to be a key factor in the response to genotoxins during early embryogenesis.