Effect of Some Metabolites and Antimetabolites on the Breakdown of Deoxyribonucleic Acid and on the Colony-Forming Ability of Escherichia coli B after Gamma Irradiation: II. Effect of Phosphorylated Derivatives of Adenosine and Pyrophosphate

Abstract

A complete inhibition of the biosynthesis of DNA in unirradiated E. coli B as well as a total inhibition of its breakdown in gamma-irradiated bacteria was observed if the cells were incubated in acetate buffer in the presence of ATP. In the presence of ADP or of AMP-3'' and AMP-5'', the breakdown of DNA in the irradiated cells is only partially inhibited. If inorganic pyrophosphate is added to the acetate buffer, both the biosynthesis of DNA in the controls and its breakdown in the irradiated suspension are somewhat accelerated. The effects of the above compounds on the colony-forming ability of E. coli B were also studied.