NEAR-ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION AND HYDROGEN-PEROXIDE MODULATE INTRACELLULAR LEVELS OF POTASSIUM AND THIOLS IN ESCHERICHIA-COLI

Treatment of aerobic Escherichia coli K 12 with nonlethal doses of nea r-ultraviolet (NUV) and H2O2 resulted in the same physiological respon se. In response to stress caused by these agents, an inhibition of gro wth, a decrease in intracellular K+ pool, and an increase in intracell ular levels of protein and nonprotein thiols were observed. A possible role for glutathione in the process of adaptation of E. coli culture to growth under the conditions of oxidative stress is discussed.