Chain Reactions and Radiosensitization: Model Enzyme Studies

SummaryThe influence of persulphate ions on the radiosensitivity of dilute aqueous solutions of ribonuclease and lysozyme has been studied under a vatiety of conditions. Rate-constants for reactions of the sulphate radical, SO4, with a variety of solutes and transient product spectra of some of these reactions are reported.The presence of persulphate ions in general enhances the radiation sensitivity; in nitrous-oxide-saturated persulphate solution, a chain reaction has been demonstrated.