Induction of L-arabinose isomerase in gamma-irradiated Escherichia coli.

Gamma irradiation of Escherichia coli B/r caused a dose-dependent inhibition of the capacity of the cells to synthesize L-arabinose isomerase in response to the inducer. At higher doses (18 krad and above), postirradiation incubation led to further inhibition of the capacity to synthesize L-arabinose isomerase, whereas cells receiving lower doses recovered from the damage to the enzyme synthesizing system following incubation. Cyclic AMP partially reversed the inhibitory effect on L-arabinose isomerase induction produced immediately after irradiation by all gamma-ray doses (up to 30 krad), but the enhanced inhibitory effect caused by induction in cells irradiated at higher doses could not be reversed by the nucleotide. It is suggested that although catabolite repression is partly responsible for causing the inhibition of the enzyme synthesizing capacity of the cells observed immediately after gamma irradiation, the enhanced inhibition caused by incubating cells irradiated at higher doses is not due to interference with the control mechanism regulated by catabolite repression.