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Inhibition of γ-Ray-induced Degradation of E. coli Bs–1 DNA by Infection with T1, T2 and T4 Bacteriophage

Nature volume 218, pages 690–693 (1968)Cite this article

Abstract

THE breakdown of DNA in bacteria in response to ionizing radiation has received much attention1–7. This breakdown is mediated by an enzyme or system of enzymes which has not yet been fully characterized. We have investigated the effect of DNA degradation on parental DNA of T1 bacteriophage within the infected cell in radiation conditions which usually break down host DNA. No release of DNA into the acid soluble trichloroacetic acid (TCA) fraction occurred even with previous exposure of the phage to heavy doses of ionizing radiation. This led us to speculate that bacteriophage T1 infection inhibited radiation-induced DNA degradation.

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Author notes

  1. J. D. CHAPMAN

    Present address: Research Unit in Radiobiology, Mt. Vernon Hospital Northwood, Middlesex, England

  2. J. SWEZ

    Present address: Physics Department, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, Indiana

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biophysics, Pennsylvania State University,

    J. D. CHAPMAN, J. SWEZ & E. C. POLLARD

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  1. J. D. CHAPMAN
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  3. E. C. POLLARD
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CHAPMAN, J., SWEZ, J. & POLLARD, E. Inhibition of γ-Ray-induced Degradation of E. coli Bs–1 DNA by Infection with T1, T2 and T4 Bacteriophage. Nature 218, 690–693 (1968). https://doi.org/10.1038/218690a0

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