Radiation-Induced Damage in T4 Bacteriophage: The Effect of Superoxide Radicals and Molecular Oxygen

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Abstract
The sensitivity of T4 bacteriophage toward .gamma. irradiation was studied in phosphate buffer suspensions. The spectrum of the water radicals was controlled by a careful choice of the appropriate saturating gas and the addition of radical scavengers. It was possible to distinguish between the effects of O2 and the superoxide radicals formed through its reactions. About 90% of the damage was caused by the water radicals formed in the bulk suspensions. These probably affected the phage proteins; only the remainder of the damage involved the viral DNA. The O2 enhancement ratio observed was not connected in any way with the formation of the superoxide radicals. The .ovrhdot.OH radicals are the reactive species, while eaq- and the superoxide radical do not contribute to the radiodamage.

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