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Biomedical subjects

Y Becker

Publications and source records attributed to Y Becker.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources

Nucleic acid biosynthesis in nuclei of cell infected with herpesviruses (HSV and EBV).

Analysis of nuclei isolated from herpes simplex virus (HSV)-infected cells by electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels showed that only virion-associated DNA molecules migrated into the gels. The viral DNA molecules, which do not migrate in the gels, are the precursors for the mature viral DNA. Centrifugation of deoxycholate-treated infected nuclei in sucrose gradients revealed that most of the viral DNA co-sedimented with the cellular DNA. The DNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity also co-sedimented with the viral and cellular DNA. Incubation of nuclei isolated from HSV-infected cells, under in vitro conditions that support DNA synthesis, resulted in the synthesis of viral molecules of low molecular weight. Under the same conditions, nuclei from Burkitt lymphoblasts did not synthesize DNA. The nature of the association between cellular DNA and EBV DNA was studied by hybridization with EBV cRNA. EBV-specific sequences were found in the lymphoblast DNA; they banded at a density of 1.707 g/cm3. Some of the viral mRNA transcribed in HSV-infected nuclei is symmetrically transcribed from HSV DNA. The symmetrical portions of the RNA are removed, since poly (A)-containing mRNA molecules lack homologous sequences. Most of the RNA synthesized in HSV-infected nuclei can be released after incubation of the nuclei in vitro in the presence of ATP. The released RNA consists of poly(A)plus and poly (A)-minus molecules. The mechanism of RNA transport from the nuclei still remains to be studied.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Reversible inhibition of herpes simplex virus replication by hydroxyurea.

Hydroxyurea, at a concentration of 5 x 10(-2) M, inhibits the replication of herpes simplex deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in the nuclei of infected cells. As a result, the synthesis of infectious virus progeny was prevented. The presence of parental viral DNA genomes in inhibited cells led to the synthesis of the viral structural peptides. The inhibitory effect of hydroxyurea was reversible; after washing the cells free from hydroxyurea, virus progeny appeared after a lag of 3 h. Upon resumption of viral DNA replication, the content of radioactive viral structural peptides gradually increased in parallel with the increase in mature virions. It is concluded that the information for the synthesis of viral structural peptides is transcribed from the parental DNA genomes.

DNA, Viral↗

Studies on the developmental cycle of Chlamydia trachomatis: selective inhibition by hydroxyurea.

Hydroxyurea, a potent inhibitor of deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis, inhibits the development of trachoma agent when applied at a concentration of 5 x 10(-2) M. At a lower concentration, 5 x 10(-4) M, hydroxyurea permits the development of the trachoma inclusion bodies and initial bodies, but arrests the formation of elementary bodies, the infectious entity of the agent. The inhibitory effect of 5 x 10(-4) M hydroxyurea is reversible and can be used to synchronize the development of the agent. The synthesis of deoxyribonucleic acid, ribonucleic acid, and proteins takes place in the initial bodies after the removal of the inhibitor.

Amino Acids↗

Studies on the developmental cycle of Chlamydia trachomatis: isolation and characterization of the initial bodies.

The initial bodies which develop in the inclusion bodies of trachoma agent (Chlamydia trachomatis) were separated from the infected cells nuclei and cytoplasmic components by zone centrifugation in sucrose gradients. The initial bodies are the site of the agent's ribonucleic acid synthesis and serve as precursors to the elementary bodies. The conversion of the initial bodies to elementary bodies is through a process which resembles binary fission. The effects of antibiotics on the development of the trachoma agent initial bodies revealed that rifampin prevented and hydroxyurea affected the formation of the initial bodies. Penicillin led to the formation of structures larger than the initial bodies.

Amino Acids↗