Simplified modeling of E. coli mortality after genome damage induced by UV-C light exposure

Sci Rep. 2020 Jul 9;10(1):11240. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-67838-1.

Abstract

UV light is a group of high-energy waves from the electromagnetic spectrum. There are three types of UV radiations: UV-A, -B and -C. UV-C light are the highest in energy, but most are retained by the ozone layer. UV-A and -B reach the earth's surface and cause damage on living organisms, being considered as mutagenic physical agents. Numerous test models are used to study UV mutagenicity; some include special lamps, cell cultures and mathematical modeling. Mercury lamps are affordable and useful sources of UV-C light due to their emission at near the maximum absorption peak of nucleic acids. E. coli cultures are widely used because they have DNA-damage and -repairing mechanisms fairly similar to humans. In here we present two simple models that describe UV-C light incidence on a genome matrix, using fundamental quantum-mechanical concepts and considering light as a particle with a discontinuous distribution. To test the accuracy of our equations, stationary phase cultures of several E. coli strains were exposed to UV-C light in 30 s-intervals. Surviving CFUs were counted and survival/mortality curves were constructed. These graphs adjusted with high goodness of fit to the regression predictions. Results were also analyzed using three main parameters: quantum yield, specific speed and time of mortality.

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • DNA Damage
  • Escherichia coli / genetics*
  • Escherichia coli / radiation effects*
  • Genome, Bacterial*
  • Incidence
  • Least-Squares Analysis
  • Light
  • Models, Biological
  • Mutagens
  • Regression Analysis
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Stem Cells
  • Ultraviolet Rays / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Mutagens