Abstract
Action of various wavelengths of visible light on ultraviolet-radiation damage to haploid yeast cells, Saccharomyces cerevisiae 23971, was studied. The results were obtained on the basis of the survival and respiration rates by pre- and post-illuminations of various wavelengths before and after U.V.-irradiations on the yeast cells. Among the wavelengths tested, 635 $m{\mu}$, 429 $m{\mu}$ and white light which caused increase of respiration in pre-treatment alone, induced less resistance to the U. V.-damage than in the control, in both pre- and U.V.-treatment. On the contrary, such wavelengths as 574 $m{\mu}$and 530 $m{\mu}$, showing a weak effect on respiration in pre-treatment increased the susceptability to U.V.-radiation. Photoinactivation was generally obtained by both pre- and post- illuminations along with U.V.-treatment. At 635 $m{\mu}$ the PI rate was the lowest and also a low PI rate was shown at 429 $m{\mu}$. But 429 $m{\mu}$, in the post-treatment of the yeast cells pre-treated by the white light and the darkness respectively, showed the highest PI rate. In both pre- and post- treatment of 574, 530 and 473 $m{\mu}$,the PI rates were high to the same degree. Post-treatments of the wavelengths on U.V.-treated yeasts incubated rather under the white light than the darkness induced lower PI rate. It is assumed that there are great differences in action even of the same wavelength, depending upon the various combination of pre- and post-treatments, and that, moreover, the action of various wavelengths of visible light on U.V.-damage on the cells are concerned with the doses and dose rates of U.V. and visible lights. These observations led to an interpretation that each wavelength of visible light might exert distinctively different effects oil U. V.-damage, mainly causing the inhibition or stimulation of enzymes in the yeast cells.