A comparison of UV induced DNA photoproducts from isolated and non-isolated developing bacterial forespores

UV-induced photoproduct formation has been compared in non-isolated and isolated developing forespores. We have found that levels of spore type photoproducts are greatly affected by mother cell DNA. We have also observed the presence of the photoproduct 6-4'-(pyrimidin-2'-one)-thymine in developing forespores. We conclude from these and other data in the literature that the degree of hydration around the forespore DNA is reduced by the presence of dipicolinic acid which influences photoproduct formation without causing a change in conformational state.