Sensitization of bacteriophage T4 to /sup 60/Co-. gamma. radiation and to low-energy x radiation by bromouracil

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1977 · Radiat. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/3574525· OSTI ID:7327855

Myers, D K; Childs, J D; Jones, A R

Bacteriophage T4 with essentially complete substitution of 5-bromouracil (BU) for thymine in its DNA was exposed together with control phage to /sup 60/Co-..gamma.. radiation or 16-keV x radiation. As judged by plaque-forming ability, the BU-enhancement ratio for phage lethality was 1.2-1.4 when irradiated in buffered saline, while the enhancement ratio for induction of double-strand breaks in the DNA was about 2.2. In buffered saline, the indirect effects of radiation on phage proteins may account for a portion of the lethality and for the lack of correlation of lethality with double-strand breaks. Moreover, DNA was released into the buffered saline during irradiation; this factor would further confuse any possible correlation between double-strand breaks and lethality under these conditions. The BU-enhancement ratio for phage lethality increased to 1.8 in oxic broth and to 2.3 in anoxic broth plus cysteamine. Under these latter conditions, where indirect effects of radiation should be minimal, most of the lethality in both the control and BU phage could be accounted for by double-strand breaks in the DNA. There was no evidence for any specific interaction of the 16-keV x radiation with BU phage under the experimental conditions used.

• Research Organization: Chalk River Nuclear Labs., Ont.
• OSTI ID: 7327855
• Journal Information: Radiat. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: Radiat. Res.; (United States) Vol. 69:1; ISSN RAREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560131* -- Radiation Effects on Microorganisms-- Basic Studies-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANTIMETABOLITES
ANTIMITOTIC DRUGS
AZINES
BACTERIOPHAGES
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BROMOURACILS
DNA
DRUGS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
GAMMA RADIATION
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
IONIZING RADIATIONS
MICROORGANISMS
NUCLEIC ACIDS
ORGANIC BROMINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
PARASITES
PROTEINS
PYRIMIDINES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATIONS
RADIOSENSITIVITY EFFECTS
STRAND BREAKS
URACILS
VIRUSES
X RADIATION