Abstract
SUMMARY: The sensitization of Escherichia coli strain B/r to γ radiation was shown to take place within a few minutes of the addition of N-ethylmaleimide. Sensitization was demonstrated with as little as 0.0001 m-N-ethylmaleimide, but a much higher concentration (> 0.002 m) was necessary for any bactericidal effect. The N-ethyl-maleimide had to be present during irradiation in order to be effective. Staphylococcus aureus and a Pseudomonas sp. but not spores of Bacillus subtilis, were also sensitized by N-ethylmaleimide. The Pseudomonas sp. was only sensitized under anoxic conditions; this may indicate that, with this organism, N-ethylmaleimide and oxygen acted competitively in enhancing radiation damage. Possible mechanisms of sensitization are discussed.
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