A model to study the effects of a viral inactivator (beta-propiolactone) on DNA ligation and gene expression in E. coli and Cos cells.

Dahmani M. Fathallah (1) , K. Zerria (1) , M Barbouche (1) , K. Dellagi (1)

1 Laboratoire d'Immunologie, Institut Pasteur de Tunis

An experimental model to study the effects of viral inactivators on the biological properties of DNA was developed. Beta-propiolactone (betaPL) was used in this model and its effects on ligation, transfer and gene expression of naked DNA were assessed. Evidence that betaPL impairs these two major DNA functions are presented. The amounts of betaPL that alter or abolish gene expression and prevent DNA cohesive ends ligation were determined. Based on these observations, it was concluded that this experimental approach could be used to study the effects on the biological properties of DNA of other inactivators used in vaccine preparations.

Keywords: β-propiolactone; DNA; gene expression; ligation

Domains: Life Sciences [q-bio]; Immunology; Vaccinology; Life Sciences [q-bio]; Biochemistry, Molecular Biology

Dahmani M. Fathallah, K. Zerria, M Barbouche, K. Dellagi. A model to study the effects of a viral inactivator (beta-propiolactone) on DNA ligation and gene expression in E. coli and Cos cells.. Vaccine, 1999, 17 (1), pp.95-98. ⟨10.1016/S0264-410X(98)00087-5⟩. ⟨pasteur-01985535⟩