Clonal heterogeneity in the progeny of HeLa cells which survive X-irradiation.

Clones of HeLa cells that had survived 9 Gy X-rays were investigated for plating efficiency, radiosensitivity, the proportion of giant cells, and chromosome numbers. A significant decrease in plating efficiency was observed that persisted for > 20 population doublings. The reduced plating efficiency was associated with an increased proportion of giant cells in the colonies. There was pronounced clonal heterogeneity in the progeny of irradiated surviving cells with respect to plating efficiency, proportion of giant cells, and chromosome numbers. The radiosensitivity of progeny from irradiated cells did not change compared with controls.