The influence of cell water content on the inactivation of RNA by partial desiccation and ultraviolet light

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The influence of the water content of cells of Escherichia coli K38 and Escherichia coli B on the inactivation of F2 phage RNA and β-galactosidase mRNA by partial desiccation and 2537 Å ultraviolet light (uv.) has been studied. Both types of RNA were found to resist desiccation and their inactivation by ultraviolet to require much larger doses than the destruction of the colony-forming ability of cells. The ability of non-induced cells to produce β-galactosidase was destroyed by desiccation and irradiation more easily in non-induced cells than in preinduced cells. The inactivation of RNA was found to occur more readily when the cells contained from 10 to 15 g H2O/100 g of cell solids than when the cells contained less water. Damage by desiccation and irradiation, however, was partially prevented by i-inositol.It is concluded that damage to existing cell RNA either by ultraviolet or desiccation is not involved in the loss of cell viability and that cell death occurs as a result of damage to the mechanism by which mRNA is manufactured.