Different photodynamic action of proflavine and methylene blue on bacteriophage. I. Host cell reactivation of Serratiaphage kappa.

Abstract

Photodynamically induced DNA damage in Serratiaphase ϰ may be repaired by the host cell. The extent of this host cell reactivation (HCR) depends on the photosensitizing dye used: HCR of proflavine+visible light induced DNA damage appears to be more efficient than the one of DNA damage induced by methylene blue+visible light. This significant difference in HCR is not due to a preferential inhibition of the enzymes of DNA dark repair by either one of the dyes injected into the host cell along with the phage's genome.