Ionizing Radiation-Initiated Degradation of DNA in Germinating Spores

Three different patterns of postirradiation DNA degradation were found in germinating spores. First, when Bacillus subtilis is irradiated as spores, there is little or no degradation. Second, when B. subtilis is allowed to germinate for a period of time less than 40-50 min prior to irradiation, ther...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Radiation research 1972-11, Vol.52 (2), p.409-418
Main Authors: Cyr, W. Howard, Pollard, Ernest C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bacillus subtilis
Bacillus subtilis - growth & development
Bacillus subtilis - metabolism
Bacillus subtilis - radiation effects
Bacteria
Bacterial spores
Carbon Isotopes
Cobalt Isotopes
DNA
DNA, Bacterial - analysis
DNA, Bacterial - radiation effects
Germination
Irradiation
Plant spores
Proline - metabolism
Radiation Effects
Somatic cells
Spore germination
Spores
Spores, Bacterial - analysis
Spores, Bacterial - growth & development
Spores, Bacterial - metabolism
Spores, Bacterial - radiation effects
Thymine - metabolism
Time Factors
Uracil - metabolism
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Summary:Three different patterns of postirradiation DNA degradation were found in germinating spores. First, when Bacillus subtilis is irradiated as spores, there is little or no degradation. Second, when B. subtilis is allowed to germinate for a period of time less than 40-50 min prior to irradiation, there is degradation, but with a lag. Third, when B. subtilis is allowed to germinate for a period of time greater than 40-50 min prior to irradiation, there is immediate breakdown of DNA similar to the type found in vegetative cells. The modified pattern of DNA degradation seen in germinating spores is another argument for the hypothesis that the DNA in bacterial spores is in a different physical state from that found in vegetative cells.
ISSN:0033-7587
1938-5404
DOI:10.2307/3573577