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. 1981 Jun;78(6):3338–3342. doi: 10.1073/pnas.78.6.3338

Acridine dyes and other DNA-intercalating agents induce the luminescence system of luminous bacteria and their dark variants.

S Ulitzur, I Weiser
PMCID: PMC319563  PMID: 6943543

Abstract

Acridine dyes and other DNA-intercalating agents such as ethidium bromide, theophylline, and caffeine induce luminescence in dark variants (K variants) different luminous species of bacteria, as well as in their wild-type luminous cells, prior to induction. The increase in luminescence appears 10-20 min after addition of these agents and is inhibited by chloramphenicol or rifampicin. Addition of these agents affects the synthesis of both luciferase and aldehyde-synthesizing enzymes. It is hypothesized that these agents, through their intercalation into DNA, cause configurational changes resulting in derepressed transcription of the luminescence operon.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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