Effects of low iron conditions on the repair of DNA lesions induced by Cumene hydroperoxide in Escherichia coli cells

In the present study, we evaluated the sensitivity of different Escherichia coli strains to Cumene hydroperoxide (CHP) treatment under distinct condit ions of Fe2+ availability. Our results showed that the pretreatment with an iron chelator (dipyridyl) protects all the tested strains against CHP toxi c effects, but it was not sufficient to abolish the CHP induced mutagenesis . On the other hand, simultaneous pretreatment with both dipyridyl and neoc uproine (copper chelator) leads to a complete protection against CHB mutage nic effects. Our data suggest the participation of copper ion in the CHP mu tagenesis induced in E. coli. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.