Repair of ultraviolet light-induced damage in Micrococcus radiophilus, and extremely resistant microorganism

Journal Article · Sat May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1976 · J. Bacteriol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:7354905

Lavin, M F; Jenkins, A; Kidson, C

Repair of ultraviolet radiation damage was examined in an extremely radioresistant organism, Micrococcus radiophilus. Measurement of the number of thymine-containing dimers formed as a function of ultraviolet dose suggests that the ability of this organism to withstand high doses of ultraviolet radiation (20,000 ergs/mm/sup 2/) is not related to protective screening by pigments. M. radiophilus carries out a rapid excision of thymine dimers at doses of ultraviolet light up to 10,000 ergs/mm/sup 2/. Synthesis of deoxyribonucleic acid is reduced after irradiation, but after removal of photodamage the rate approaches that in unirradiated cells. A comparison is drawn with Micrococcus luteus and M. radiodurans. We conclude that the extremely high resistance to ultraviolet irradiation in M. radiophilus is at least partly due to the presence of an efficient excision repair system. (auth)

• Research Organization: Univ. of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
• OSTI ID: 7354905
• Journal Information: J. Bacteriol.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Bacteriol.; (United States) Vol. 126:2; ISSN JOBAA
• 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.
BACTERIA
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RECOVERY
BIOLOGICAL REPAIR
DIMERS
DOSES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
IRRADIATION
MICROCOCCUS
MICROORGANISMS
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATIONS
RADIOINDUCTION
RADIOSENSITIVITY
RECOVERY
REPAIR
ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION