Induction of DnaK upon <i>γ</i>-Irradiation at High and Low Rates in <i>Escherichia coli</i>

Abstract

DnaK is implicated in protein folding, repair and degradation. Its protective role during heat shock is well documented and many other stresses can also induce its production. Using a competitive ELISA, intracellular DnaK concentrations were determined in Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 exposed to a γ-irradiation dose of 0.3 KGy applied either at high (8 × 10 -2 KGy/min) or low rates (3 × 10 -3 KGy/min) and with or without a recuperation period of 22 h at 37℃ post-treatment. All four irradiation treatments reduced cell counts similarly and significantly compared to the control (P < 0.0001). However, the highest DnaK concentration was observed in cells irradiated at low rate without recuperation (105,416 molecules/cell; P = 0.0001). Furthermore, DnaK levels remained higher than the control (38,500 molecules/ cell) after the recuperation period (P < 0.05). Variation in the intracellular DnaK concentration indicates that the bacterial stress response was modulated differently according to the irradiation treatment (P = 0.0001).