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Mutants ofEscherichia coli sensitive to hydrogen peroxide

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Abstract

Mutants sensitive to moderate H2O2 concentrations were selected in a HfrphoA (S33)Escherichia coli strain after mutagenesis withN-methyl,N′-nitro,N-nitrosoguanidine (NG). Of the sensitive strains, 31% were catalase-deficient and retained glutathione reductase levels similar to those of the parental strain, whereas 69% still had normal catalase and glutathione reductase activities. Mutants supersensitive to low H2O2 concentrations were selected in a catalase-deficient strain (CGR201) after mutagenesis with NG. Of these, 20% were glutathione reductase-deficient, and the remaining 80% were unaffected in this enzymatic activity. Compared with the parental strain S33, H2O2 was 5 to 12 times more toxic for the sensitive mutants, and 19 to 21 times for the supersensitive ones.

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Barbado, C., Ramírez, M., Blanco, M.A. et al. Mutants ofEscherichia coli sensitive to hydrogen peroxide. Current Microbiology 8, 251–253 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01577723

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