Physical and biological properties of U. S. standard endotoxin EC after exposure to ionizing radiation

Journal Article · Fri Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1983 · Infect. Immun.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5097022

Csako, G; Elin, R J; Hochstein, H D; Tsai, C M

Techniques that reduce the toxicity of bacterial endotoxins are useful for studying the relationship between structure and biological activity. We used ionizing radiation to detoxify a highly refined endotoxin preparation. U.S. standard endotoxin EC. Dose-dependent changes occurred by exposure to /sup 60/Co-radiation in the physical properties and biological activities of the endotoxin. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide slab gel electrophoresis showed gradual loss of the polysaccharide components (O-side chain and R-core) from the endotoxin molecules. In contrast, although endotoxin revealed a complex absorption pattern in the UV range, radiation treatment failed to modify that pattern. Dose-related destruction of the primary toxic component, lipid A, was suggested by the results of activity tests: both the pyrogenicity and limulus reactivity of the endotoxin were destroyed by increasing doses of radiation. The results indicate that the detoxification is probably due to multiple effects of the ionizing radiation on bacterial lipopolysaccharides, and the action involves (i) the destruction of polysaccharide moieties and possibly (ii) the alteration of lipid A component of the endotoxin molecule.

• Research Organization: National Inst. of Health, Bethesda, MD
• OSTI ID: 5097022
• Journal Information: Infect. Immun.; (United States), Journal Name: Infect. Immun.; (United States) Vol. 41:1; ISSN INFIB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560112* -- Radiation Effects on Biochemicals-- In Microorganisms-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANTIGENS
BACTERIA
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
CARBOHYDRATES
CHEMICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
CHEMISTRY
COBALT 60
COBALT ISOTOPES
DETOXIFICATION
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ENDOTOXINS
ESCHERICHIA COLI
GAMMA RADIATION
INTERMEDIATE MASS NUCLEI
INTERNAL CONVERSION RADIOISOTOPES
IONIZING RADIATIONS
ISOMERIC TRANSITION ISOTOPES
ISOTOPES
MATERIALS
MICROORGANISMS
MINUTES LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
NUCLEI
ODD-ODD NUCLEI
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
POLYSACCHARIDES
RADIATION CHEMISTRY
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATIONS
RADIOINDUCTION
RADIOISOTOPES
SACCHARIDES
STANDARDS
TOXIC MATERIALS
TOXICITY
TOXINS
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES