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The Effects Of Ionizing Radiation And Oxidizing Species On Strains Of Deinococcus Radiodurans Lacking Endogenous Oxidative Protection Methods, Dylan L. Klawuhn

Theses and Dissertations

Multiple strains of Deinococcus radiodurans were transformed, creating knockout mutations in genes responsible for manganese ion transport, manganese and copper/zinc super-oxide dismutase, and bacillithiol synthesis. These mutated strains were then irradiated with ~20,000 Gys. The results showed that the mutated strains had a higher sensitivity to ionizing radiation, those responsible for bacillithiol synthesis having an increase in sensitivity 3000 times more than wild type Deinococcus radiodurans. In addition to radiation the mutated strains were also exposed to paraquat, an oxidizing herbicide. Strains missing manganese super-oxide dismutase showed increased sensitivity.