title: Modification of radiation damage of bacteria by folic acid antagonists.
abstract: Pittillo, Robert F. (Southern Research Institute, Birmingham, Ala.), Mary Lucas, Robert T. Blackwell, and Carolyn Woolley. Modification of radiation damage of bacteria by folic acid antagonists. J. Bacteriol. 90:1548-1551. 1965.-The folic acid analogues, 2,4-diamino-6-methylpteridine, amethopterin, and aminopterin, have been found to sensitize certain bacteria, especially Escherichia coli, to the lethal action of ionizing irradiation. Data are presented which indicate that (i) the compounds must be present during the irradiation period for maximal sensitization to be observed, (ii) the sensitizing effect can be nullified by cysteine or cysteamine, (iii) the sensitizing effect occurs in a number of diverse bacterial genera, and (iv) folic acid neither sensitizes bacteria to irradiation nor prevents the sensitization caused by these antifolic agents.
mesh_terms: D000630:Aminopterin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013293:Enterococcus faecalis / Q000528:radiation effects; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000528:radiation effects*; D005493:Folic Acid Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000528:radiation effects; D011830:Radiation Effects; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents; D012486:Salmonella typhimurium / Q000528:radiation effects; D012505:Sarcina / Q000528:radiation effects; D012706:Serratia marcescens / Q000528:radiation effects
chemical_list: D005493:Folic Acid Antagonists; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents; D000630:Aminopterin