Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Letter
  • Published:

Physiological and Genetic Implications of Selective Mutation by Light at 320–400 nm

Abstract

WAVELENGTHS of light between 320 and 400 nm are lethal to many microorganisms1, especially to airborne cells held in a semi-dehydrated state2–4. In addition, this waveband of light produces a few drug5 and phage6 resistant cells when growing cultures are continuously irradiated, and its mutagenic action is enhanced by cell semi-dehydration in aerosols3,4. We report here results which suggest that the irradiation of semi-dehydrated airborne cells with 320–400 nm light produces specific mutations.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

USD 39.95

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Zelle, M. R., and Hollaender, A., in Radiation Biology, 2, 365 (McGraw-Hill, New York, 1955).

    Google Scholar 

  2. Webb, S. J., J. Appl. Bact., 26, 307 (1963).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Webb, S. J., and Tai, C. C., Canad. J. Microbiol., 14, 727 (1968).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Webb, S. J., Bound Water in Biological Integrity (C. Thomas, Springfield, Illinois, 1965).

    Google Scholar 

  5. McAulay, A. L., Plomley, N. J. B., and Ford, J. M., Austral. J. Exp. Biol., 23, 53 (1945).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Webb, R. B., Science, 156, 1104 (1967).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Gorini, L., and Kaufman, H., Science, 131, 604 (1960).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Kaskket, E. R., and Brodie, A. F., J. Bact., 83, 1094 (1962).

    Google Scholar 

  9. Webb, S. J., and Bhorjee, J. S., Canad. J. Microbiol., 13, 69 (1967).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Snyder, R. W., and Young, F. E., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun., 35, 354 (1969).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Taylor, A. L., and Trotter, C. D., Bact. Rev., 31, 332 (1967).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Masters, M., and Donachie, W. D., The Physiology of Gene and Mutation Expression, 285 (Pub. Czechoslovak Acad. Sci., 1967).

    Google Scholar 

  13. Hayes, W., The Genetics of Bacteria and Viruses, 666 (Blackwell, Oxford, 1968).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

WEBB, S., TAI, C. Physiological and Genetic Implications of Selective Mutation by Light at 320–400 nm. Nature 224, 1123–1125 (1969). https://doi.org/10.1038/2241123a0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Issue date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/2241123a0

This article is cited by

Search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing