[Detection of SOS response inhibitor with E. coli GW1104 and GW1107 and its mechanism].

E. coli GW1104 and GW1107 are temperature-sensitive strains carrying a fusion gene umu:: Mud(Ap,lac) with genotypes recA441 (tif-1) and recA441 (tif-1),lexA (Def) (spr), respectively. SOS response can be produced spontaneously at 32 degrees C in E. coli GW1107, and induced at 42 degrees C in both E. coli GW1107 and GW1104. To detect SOS response inhibitor and to study its mechanism, a quick-test-system was established based on their genetic characteristics of the two strains. It was found some kinds of Chinese herbal medicine, vegetables, and chemicals could inhibit SOS response in the strains to different extent with varied mechanisms. Shell of water chestnut could inhibit temperature-induced SOS response at 42 degrees C in E. coli GW1104, and spontaneously-produced one at 32 degrees C in E.coli GW1107. Chinese chives can only inhibit temperature-induced SOS response in E. coli GW1104. It suggested the former's inhibition effect on SOS response occurred at lexA gene or on the pathway of SOS response before lexA gene, and so did the latter's on the pathway after lexA gene.