Cell response to genotoxic agents is complex and involves the participation of different classes of genes including cell cycle control, DNA repair and apoptosis. In this report, we presented a approach to characterize the cellular functions associated with the altered transcript profiles of MCF-7 exposed to low-dose in vitro gamma-irradiation. We used the method of human 2.4 k cDNA microarrays containing apoptosis, cell cycle, chromatin, repair, stress and chromosome genes to analyze the differential gene expression characterization that were displayed by radiation-exposed cell, human breast carcinoma MCF-7 cell line, such as 4 Gy 4 hr, 8 Gy 4 hr, and 8 Gy 12 hr. Among these genes, 66 were up-regulated and 49 were down-regulated. Specific genes were concomitantly induced in the results. Cyclin dependent kinase 4 (Cdk4) is induced for starting the cell cycle. This regulation is required for a DNA damage-induced G1 arrest. In addition to, an apoptotic pathways gene Bcl- w was concomitantly induced. Mismatch repair protein homologue-1 (hMLH1), a necessary component of DNA mismatch protein repair (MMR), in G2-M cell cycle checkpoint arrest. The present study provides new information on the molecular mechanism underlying the cell response to genotoxic stress, with relevance to basic and clinical research.