Figure 4.

Schematic representation (figure created with biorender.com). Beta-particles (left side) have a longer path and interactions in matter, generating the so-called “cross-fire” effect, mainly producing ss-DNA breaks, that can be repaired through specific mechanisms. Alpha-particles (right side) have a shorter range in matter with localization to cell nucleus, determining ds-DNA breaks, whose mechanisms of repair are reported. DDR defects can inhibit the complex pathway involved in ss-DNA or ds-DNA-breaks’ repair.