Effect of Oxygen on the Radiosensitivity of Bacteriophage in the Presence of Sulphydryl Compounds

Journal Article · Sat May 07 04:00:00 EDT 1960 · Nature (London)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/186485a0· OSTI ID:4142993

HOWARD-FLANDERS, P. ^[1]

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1. Hammersmith Hospital, London (England). Medical Research Council Experimental Radiopathology Research Unit

Results of a study on the effect of oxygen on the radiosensitivity of becteriophage in the presence of sulphydryl compounds indicate that the reason why oxygen is without effect on the x-ray inactivation of bacteriophage in protective suspensions lies in the absence of a suitable hydrogen donor such as a sulphydryl compound. A second factor is that some compounds may experience difficulty in penetrating into the compact structure of the phage head. The oxygen effect on the x-ray inactivation of the complex is presumably a reflection of the competition between molecular oxygen and intra-cellular hydrogen donors, such as sulphydryl compounds, for the radicals induced by radiation in the phage nucleic acid.

• Research Organization: Hammersmith Hospital, London (England)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-14-013623
• OSTI ID: 4142993
• Journal Information: Nature (London), Journal Name: Nature (London) Journal Issue: 4723 Vol. 186; ISSN 0028-0836
• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

BACTERIOPHAGES
BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
HYDROGEN
NUCLEIC ACIDS
ORGANIC SULFUR COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN
RADIATION PROTECTION
RADIOSENSITIVITY
SUSPENSIONS
X RADIATION