Role of primary photoacceptors in low-power laser effects: action of He-Ne laser radiation on bacteriophage T4-Escherichia coli interaction.

The effect of He-Ne laser radiation (lambda = 632.8 nm) on bacteriophage T4-Escherichia coli WP2 interactions was studied. Irradiation of bacteria having respiratory chain components as primary photoacceptors accelerated their division in a dose-dependent manner, but irradiation had no effect on the properties of the phage (measured as its ability to infect host cells). At the same time, exposure of bacteria to stimulating doses of He-Ne laser radiation (from 10(3) to 6 x 10(4) J/m2) increased their ability to promote the growth of unexposed phages. These results clearly indicate that low-power laser effects require primary photoacceptors (phage contains no chromophores for red light).