Abstract
THE mechanism by which N-ethylmaleimide (NEM)1,2 sensitizes bacteria to the lethal effects of radiation has not yet been elucidated. (For a recent review see ref. 3.) It has often been suggested that removal of naturally occurring radioprotective SH groups may explain this effect of NEM and related sulphydryl-reacting agents. This hypothesis could be eliminated if it were possible to demonstrate the sensitization when the interval of time between addition of NEM and irradiation of the mixture is too short for the thermal reaction between SH and the sensitizer to take place. Here we describe experiments using a rapid-mixing apparatus in which this condition is fulfilled.
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