Electron Affinic Sensitization

Abstract

SummaryThe radiosensitizing properties of the highly electron-affinic nitroketone, para-nitroacetophenone (PNAP) have been investigated in resistant and sensitive bacteria, fern spores, mammalian cells in tissue culture and in suspensions of bacteriophage. Radiosensitization occurs in anoxic suspensions of Serratia marcescens Micrococcus radiodurans and in anoxic preparations of Chinese hamster cells line V79–379A. The sensitization of the mammalian cells (enhancement ratio 1·7 for 0·4 mM PNAP) is not inhibited in the presence of serum protein. No sensitization was observed for the spore of the fern Osmunda regalis.PNAP resembles oxygen in conferring some radioprotection on suspensions of bacteriophage T7 irradiated in broth.