Study the dependence of Ciprofloxacin-induced mutagenesis on UmuC in Escherichia coli

The widespread use and misuse of antibiotics in recent years, has led to selection and spread of resistant strains to antibiotics. Ciprofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone effective against Gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli. In Escherichia coli exposure to ciprofloxacin resulted in mutagenesis and antibiotic resistance. In addition, exposure to UV radiation induces the transcription of umuC by ciprofloxacin. UmuC is required for mutagenesis caused by UV rays. The aim of this study was to study the dependence of ciprofloxacin-induced mutagenesis on UmuC in Escherichia coli.

In this research, Escherichia coli UmuC- strain was used and resistance to ciprofloxacin was generated stepwise. To determine the MIC of ciprofloxacin serial dilution method in broth medium was used. The mutation frequency was determined in the presence of ciprofloxacin and UV ray.

The results showed that clones with low and medium resistance can be produced from umuC- mutant and the mutation frequency was low. Discussion and

In conclusion, UmuC is required to generate mutants with high resistance to ciprofloxacin and plays an important role in the mutagenesis. The low frequency of mutation accounts for creation of mutants with low and medium resistance to ciprofloxacin and at the same time suggests that in the absence of UmuC, other factors might be effective that needs to be investigated.