[The effect of genotype on the induction of prophage lambda in E. coli cells by ionizing radiation of various LET]

A study was made of the influence of the repair genotype on lambda prophage induction by ionizing radiation of different LET in lysogenic E. coli cells. Bacterial strains W3110, P3478, GC244, and 30SO were exposed to gamma-rays and helium ions of 22 keV/microns. Induction of the prophage in GC244 and 30SO strains deficient by lexA and recA genes was either inhibited (GC244) or lacking (30SO). Inducibility of P3478 carrying polA mutation was 12 and 5 times as high as that of the wild type strain after exposure to gamma-radiation and helium ions, respectively.