Investigation of function of the lactose operon of escherichia coli K-12 under the influence of nonspecific regulators

The possible role of cyclic AMP in the stimulating action of ACTH and hydrocortisone on the lactose operon ofEscherichia coli K-12 was investigated. It was shown that ACTH had no effect on strainsE. coli WZ-78/F'lac (cya₈₅₅) andE. coli CA 8001 (L₁), in which the system of regulation of the function of the lactose operon by cyclic AMP is disturbed. Meanwhile this hormone stimulates the lactose operon in wild-type strains:E. coli 200 PS/F'lac andE. coli 3000. Hydrocortisone stimulates the function of the lactose operon both in the wild-type strainE. coli 3000 and in the mutantE. coli CA 8001 (L₁). It is considered that the stimulating action of ACTH on the lactose operon is mediated through cyclic AMP and that hydrocortisone stimulates the function of the lactose operon independently of cyclic AMP.Research Laboratory of Experimental Immunobiology, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR N. N. Zhukov-Verezhnikov.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 33, No. 6, pp. 744–746, June, 1977.