Role of cloned carotenoid genes expressed in Escherichia coli in protecting against inactivation by near-UV light and specific phototoxic molecules

Journal Article · Sat Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1988 · J. Bacteriol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6541156

Tuveson, R W; Larson, R A; Kagan, J

Genes controlling carotenoid synthesis were cloned from Erwinia herbicola and expressed in an Escherichia coli strain. Carotenoids protect against high fluences of near-UV (NUV; 320 to 400 nm) but not against far-UV (200-300 nm). Protection of E. coli cells was not observed following treatment with either psoralen or 8-methoxypsoralen plus NUV. However, significant protection of cells producing carotenoids was observed with three photosensitizing molecules activated by NUV (alpha-terthienyl, harmine, and phenylheptatriyne) which are thought to have the membrane as an important lethal target. Protection of carotenoid-producing cells against inactivation was not observed with acridine orange plus visible light but was seen with toluidine blue O plus visible light.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6541156
• Journal Information: J. Bacteriol.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Bacteriol.; (United States) Vol. 170:10; ISSN JOBAA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560130* -- Radiation Effects on Microorganisms
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ACRIDINE ORANGE
ACRIDINES
ALKYNES
AMINES
ANTICOAGULANTS
AROMATICS
AZAARENES
AZINES
BACTERIA
CAROTENOIDS
COUMARINS
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
DRUGS
DYES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ESCHERICHIA COLI
GENE REGULATION
GENES
HEMATOLOGIC AGENTS
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
HYDROCARBONS
MICROORGANISMS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PIGMENTS
PSORALEN
PYRIDINES
RADIATIONS
RADIOSENSITIVITY EFFECTS
TERPENES
ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION