Mitotic recombination and inactivation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae induced by UV-radiation (254 nm) and hyperthermia depend on UV fluence rate.

In experiments with wild-type diploid yeast cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the synergistic interaction of ultraviolet (UV) light (wavelength, 254 nm) and heat (45--60 degrees C) was studied both for mutagenic and inactivation effects. Simultaneous hyperthermia and UV light treatments increase the frequency of UV-induced mitotic intergenic recombination (crossing-over) and cell inactivation. The enhancing effect was a function of UV light fluence rate. It is concluded that the effect of hyperthermia on low fluence UV or high fluence UV irradiation results in comparable effects on survival and mitotic recombination suggesting similar modulation by hyperthermia of the effects induced by UV at different fluence rates. The interpretation of the data obtained was carried out within the widely accepted point of view considering the synergistic effects as a result of repair ability damage.