This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Reprints and Permissions Copyright Information Books from ASM Press MicrobeWorld Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Mitra, R S Articles by Bernstein, I A Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Mitra, R S Articles by Bernstein, I A

Single-strand breakage in DNA of Escherichia coli exposed to Cd2+.

ABSTRACT

When a growing culture of Escherichia coli was exposed to 3 X 10(-6) M Cd2+, 85 to 95% of the cells lost their ability to form colonies on agar plates. Loss of viability was accompanied by considerable single-strand breakage in the DNA, with no detectable increase in double-strand breaks. A direct correlation appeared to exist between the number of single-strand breaks and the concentrations of Cd2+ to which the cells were exposed. Exposure of DNA in vitro to a Cd2+ concentration of 3 X 10(-6) M or higher, followed by sedimentation in alkaline sucrose gradients, demonstrated no single-strand breaks. Cadmium-exposed cells recovered viability when incubated in Cd2+-free liquid medium containing 10 mM hydroxyurea. During the early period of recovery, there was a lag in the incorporation of labeled thymidine, but cellular DNA, at least in part, appeared to be repaired.

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Wang, A., Crowley, D. E. (2005). Global Gene Expression Responses to Cadmium Toxicity in Escherichia coli. J. Bacteriol. 187: 3259-3266 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• O' Sullivan, D., Ross, R. P., Twomey, D. P., Fitzgerald, G. F., Hill, C., Coffey, A. (2001). Naturally Occurring Lactococcal Plasmid pAH90 Links Bacteriophage Resistance and Mobility Functions to a Food-Grade Selectable Marker. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 67: 929-937 [Abstract] [Full Text]