title: Acridine dyes and other DNA-intercalating agents induce the luminescence system of luminous bacteria and their dark variants.
abstract: Acridine dyes and other DNA-intercalating agents such as ethidium bromide, theophylline, and caffeine induce luminescence in dark variants (K variants) different luminous species of bacteria, as well as in their wild-type luminous cells, prior to induction. The increase in luminescence appears 10-20 min after addition of these agents and is inhibited by chloramphenicol or rifampicin. Addition of these agents affects the synthesis of both luciferase and aldehyde-synthesizing enzymes. It is hypothesized that these agents, through their intercalation into DNA, cause configurational changes resulting in derepressed transcription of the luminescence operon.
mesh_terms: D000166:Acridines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004790:Enzyme Induction / Q000187:drug effects; D007364:Intercalating Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008156:Luciferases / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D010776:Photobacterium / Q000187:drug effects*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000166:Acridines; D007364:Intercalating Agents; D008156:Luciferases