title: Effects of paraquat on Escherichia coli: sensitivity to small changes in pH of the medium--a cautionary note.
abstract: Uric acid appears to protect Escherichia coli against the growth-inhibiting effect of paraquat, but this is actually due to acidification of the medium and does not occur when the pH of the medium is readjusted to neutrality. Any compound which lowers the pH of the medium will thus diminish the effect of paraquat on E. coli, whether that effect is inhibition of growth or adaptive induction of members of the soxRS regulon.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710.
authors.forename: S I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Liochev
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Fridovich
mesh_terms: D003470:Culture Media; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D005649:Fumarate Hydratase / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005954:Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007700:Kinetics; D010269:Paraquat / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014527:Uric Acid / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D014527:Uric Acid; D005954:Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase; D005649:Fumarate Hydratase; D010269:Paraquat