It was found that modified pulse induction could produce SOS responses of the sfi gene in 15 minutes. The responses peaked at 30-60 minutes and were twice as strong as those by persistent induction. The modified pulse induction could therefore more truly reflect the inducing effect. However, the SOS-inducing kinetics of MMC and 4NQO was not identical suggesting distinct kinetic patterns of induction by different mutagens. A suppressive effect on 4NQO-induced SOS response by cinnamic aldehyde and diallyl trisulfate was also observed. The effect might be due to an interference with the metabolic activation of 4NQO or breakdown of 4NQO by the bacteria.