Induction of SOS repair by ionizing radiation. Results from experiments at accelerators.

beta-galactosidase and alkaline phosphatase activities of Escherichia coli strain PQ37 carrying the fusion gene of sulA and lacZ treated with different types of ionizing radiation were examined. The induction factor (ratio of beta-galactosidase to alkaline phosphatase activity), reflecting the SOS-induction potency, increases significantly with radiation dose. Maximum effectiveness to induce SOS-response has been found for deuterium and helium ions in comparison to gamma-rays, carbon or krypton ions. Increased energy of helium ions leads to greater SOS-induction potency of radiation.