L. Polo et al., Role of ground and excited singlet state oxygen in the red light-induced stimulation of Escherichia coli cell growth, BIOC BIOP R, 257(3), 1999, pp. 753-758
Citations number
26
Categorie Soggetti
Biochemistry & Biophysics
Journal title
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
Irradiation of selected Escherichia coli defective strains with red-light i
nduces a stimulation of the cell growth rate. Such effect is wavelength-dep
endent and is accompanied by a transient increase of the cell volume and so
me enzymic activities. The presence of oxygen appears to be essential for t
he occurrence of a significant photostimulatory effect. The results obtaine
d upon irradiation in the presence of quenchers (tryptophan, histidine, azi
de) or enhancers (deuterium oxide) of singlet oxygen (O-1(2)) strongly sugg
est that this activated oxygen derivative is generated by excitation of end
ocellular chromophores (possibly cytochromes), The reaction of O-1(2) with
nearby cellular targets could induce a sublethal cell damage which in turn
promotes an accelerated cell metabolism. (C) 1999 Academic Press.