Enzyme biosynthesis in bacteria as a basis for toxicity testing
An assay based on the inhibition of {beta}-galactosidase biosynthesis was compared to a similar assay based on the inhibition of {beta}-galactosidase activity. In both test, Escherichia coli were induced to synthesize {beta}-galactosidase by exposure to isopropyl-{beta}-thiogalactoside (IPTG). The induction step preceded contact of the cells with toxic chemicals in the enzyme activity assay, whereas in the enzyme biosynthesis test, IPTG was added following contact of cells with the toxicant. Relative sensitivity was judged on the basis of responses to heavy metals and organic toxicants of environmental importance. Comparison of these results to median inhibitory concentration data (IC50s) achieved with other microbial systems, Daphnia bioassay, and fish bioassay indicate that the enzyme activity test was sensitive to heavy metals, but was insensitive to organic toxicants. The test based on inhibition of {beta}-galactosidase biosynthesis was sensitive to both heavy metals and organics.
- Research Organization:
- Florida Univ., Gainesville, FL (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 6518156
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Thesis (Ph. D.)
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
DAPHNIA
SENSITIVITY
ESCHERICHIA COLI
FISHES
GALACTOSIDASE
BIOSYNTHESIS
METALS
BIOASSAY
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ENZYME ACTIVITY
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
INHIBITION
TOXIC MATERIALS
WASTE WATER
WATER POLLUTION
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
ARTHROPODS
BACTERIA
BRANCHIOPODS
CRUSTACEANS
ELEMENTS
ENZYMES
GLYCOSYL HYDROLASES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROLASES
INVERTEBRATES
LIQUID WASTES
MATERIALS
MICROORGANISMS
O-GLYCOSYL HYDROLASES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
SYNTHESIS
VERTEBRATES
WASTES
WATER
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology