The tumour suppressor gene p53 codes for a transcription factor which is thought to play a critical role in the induction of G1 cell cycle arrest and programmed cell death (apoptosis) following DNA damage by ionizing radiation. The aim of this investigation was to determine whether a p53 independent radiation-induced apoptosis pathway exists in human colon epithelial cell lines. This report describes the induction, by gamma-radiation, of apoptosis in the colorectal adenoma cell line S/RG/C2, and in the colorectal carcinoma cell line PC/JW, both of which lack wild type p53. In addition, flow cytometry revealed that both cell lines failed to arrest in G1 after radiation. Thus, although loss of wild type p53 may abrogate G1 arrest, radiation-induced apoptosis can still occur in human colonic tumour cell lines through a p53 independent mechanism.