Bacterial radiosensitization by 8-methoxypsoralen.

8-Methoxypsoralen has been shown to act as a radiosensitizer of hypoxic bacterial cells with uvrA, recA and uvrB and/or lexA mutations. No effect of the drug on the radiosensitivity of oxic bacteria with these mutations was observed. This drug differs from O2 and electron-affinic radiosensitizers in that its effect is not purely dose-modifying and can exceed the oxygen effect in certain mutants.