INFLUENCE OF INTENSITY OF NUCLEIC ACID AND PROTEIN SYNTHESIS UPON LETHAL AND MUTAGENIC EFFECTS OF GAMMA RADIATION

A study was made of the effects of the rate of synthesis of nucleic acids and proteins on the lethal and mutagenic effects of gamma radiation in Escherichia coli. When protein and nucleic acid syntheses were blocked, the lethal and mutagenic effects of radiation increased. When cultures were irradiated under conditions that inhibited protein synthesis and slightly stimulated the synthesis of DNA and RNA, a slight decrease was observed in the lethal and mutagenic effects of gamma radiation. (C.H.)