On reliability analysis of DNA repair systems (Q1090640)

Some theoretical models of the DNA repair system are developed. The first step in the modelling is a subdivision of a chromosome into N segments of approximately equal length. All these segments are assumed to be independent of each other, as far as the mutational effects are concerned. Both for the failure time distribution of the ith unit (segment) and for its repair time distribution a negative exponential distribution is assumed with failure rates and repair rates as parameters. Three cases are considered: constant failure and repair rates for all units, varying rates depending on the units' distance from the left or right extremity of the chromosome, and varying failure rates which may be calculated from experimentally measured rates of damage causing effects. On the basis of these models the expected proportion of damaged cells at time t is derived and the estimated theoretical values will be compared with experimental findings of irradiated or by chemical mutagens affected cell populations. Theoretical aspects of the DNA repair mechanism are studied concerning especially the error proneness of post-replication repair, sufficient conditions for error-free repair, necessary and sufficient conditions for incomplete removal of carcinogenic effects, and a necessary condition for no post-replication repair.