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Effect of environmental toxicants on enzyme biosynthesis: A comparison of β-galaclosidase, α-glucosidase and tryptophanase

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Abstract

Except for β-galactosidase, little is known about the effect of environmental toxicants on enzyme induction. The information could be potentially useful for the development of low-cost and rapid ecotoxicity assays. The effect of toxicants on thede novo biosynthesis of three inducible enzymes, β-galactosidase and tryptophanase inE. coli and α-glucosidase inB. subtilis was investigated. Biosynthesis of α-glucosidase was the most sensitive to environmental toxicants, particularly pentachlorophenol and sodium dodecyl sulfate. The sensitivity ofB. subtilis to toxicants was further increased when Tween® 80 was incorporated in the growth medium.

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Button, R.J., Bitton, G., Koopman, B. et al. Effect of environmental toxicants on enzyme biosynthesis: A comparison of β-galaclosidase, α-glucosidase and tryptophanase. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 19, 395–398 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01054984

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01054984

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