An Aftereffect of Ionizing Radiation on a Mutant of Escherichia coli

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Abstract
A mutant bacterium lacks catalase and other prophyrin-containing enzymes if grown in the absence of hemin. Cells grown this way undergo a postirradiation inactivation due to radiation-produced H2O2 in the medium surrounding the cells. This inactivation can be prevented by adding catalase to the medium. Non-irradiated, catalase negative cells are not sensitive to the low levels of H2O2 used in these experiments. Cells which have survived a dose of irradiation are "sensitized" to H2O2.

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