REC A +-DEPENDENT SYNERGISM BETWEEN 365 NM AND IONIZING RADIATION IN LOG-PHASE ESCHERICHIA COLI: A MODEL FOR OXYGEN-DEPENDENT NEAR-UV INACTIVATION BY DISRUPTION OF DNA REPAIR |
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Authors: | Rex M Tyrrell |
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Institution: | M.R.C. Cyclotron Unit, Hammersmith Hospital, Ducane Road, London, W.12 OHS, England |
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Abstract: | Abstract —The oxygen dependence of 365 nm inactivation of colony-forming ability of Escherichia coli has been investigated in two series of DNA repair-deficient K12 mutants grown to mid-exponential phase. All strains except a uvr A rec A double mutant are more sensitive to inactivation under O2 and show a lower threshold dose. The inactivation of photoreactivating enzyme in a crude cell extract and DNA repair disruption are both reduced when irradiation is carried out under nitrogen. The rec A gene-dependent synergism between 365 nm and ionising radiation is reversible if cells are incubated in full growth medium before ionising radiation treatment. In a wildtype strain, incubation for 2.5 h in full growth medium after 106 J m-2 365 nm radiation changes a sensitised response to a protection from ionising radiation. Protection is not seen at 1.5 times 106 J m-2. A tentative model for near UV lethality in logarithmic phase cells is suggested which proposes two classes of lesions. One requires oxygen for it's induction, is rapidly fixed as a lethal event as a result of repair disruption, and is primarily responsible for cell death after aerobic 365 nm irradiation. The other lesion, possibly pyrimidine dimers, may lead to cell death under anaerobic conditions. |
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