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Gene expression in E. coli after treatment with streptozotocin
R J Fram1, M G Marinus, M R Volkert
1Departments of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester 01605.
Mutation Research
|March 1, 1988
Summary
Streptozotocin (STZ), N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU), and N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) induce gene expression differently in E. coli. Aeration affects aidC gene induction by MNU and MNNG.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Alkylating agents are DNA-damaging chemicals.
- Gene induction responses to DNA damage can vary.
- E. coli fusion mutants provide a tool to study gene regulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the differential gene induction patterns of three methylating agents: STZ, MNU, and MNNG.
- To understand the role of aeration in gene induction by these agents.
- To identify E. coli genes involved in alkylating agent resistance.
Main Methods:
- Utilized E. coli lac operon fusion mutants.
- Screened for beta-galactosidase activity induction in response to methyl methanesulfonate or MNNG.
- Evaluated gene induction (aidC, aidD, alkA, aidB, sfiA) by STZ, MNU, and MNNG under different aeration conditions.
Main Results:
- STZ failed to induce aidC expression, unlike MNNG and MNU.
- aidC expression induced by MNU and MNNG was blocked by aeration.
- STZ, MNU, and MNNG induced aidD, alkA, aidB, and sfiA, with varying effective concentrations.
- alkA and aidD mutants showed increased sensitivity to these agents.
Conclusions:
- STZ, MNU, and MNNG exhibit distinct gene induction profiles in E. coli.
- Aeration is a critical factor regulating aidC induction by MNU and MNNG.
- The alkA and aidD genes play roles in E. coli resistance to these methylating agents.