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Studies on hypomethylation of liver DNA during early stages of chemical carcinogenesis in rat liver.

Our finding that the inhibitors of DNA methylation, 5-azacytidine, 5-azadeoxycytidine or adenosine dialdehyde, given after a carcinogen all potentiated initiation suggested that hypomethylation of DNA during repair synthesis of DNA might play a role in the initiation of the carcinogenic process. To examine this aspect further, we have asked the question, do the nodules which develop from initiated cells after promotion with 1% orotic acid exhibit an altered methylation pattern in their DNA? The methylation status of the DNA from nodules has been examined using the restriction endonucleases HpaII/MspI and HhaI which distinguish between methylated and unmethylated cytosines in their nucleotide recognition DNA 5'-CCGG and 5'-GCGC respectively. The proto-oncogenes, c-myc, c-fos and c-Ha-ras, in the DNA were primarily studied in this investigation because of their possible involvement in cell proliferation and/or in cell transformation and tumorigenesis. The results indicate that in the nodule DNA, c-myc and c-fos are hypomethylated in the sequence of CCGG while the c-Ha-ras shows hypomethylation in the alternating GCGC sequence. This methylation pattern seen in the nodule DNA is not found in the DNA of the non-nodular surrounding liver or liver tissue after exposure to promoter or carcinogen alone. It is also not found in the DNA of regenerating liver. It is particularly significant that the methylation patterns in the c-myc and c-Ha-ras regions are similar to those found in several cancer tissues. The results suggest that this methylation pattern is acquired early in the carcinogenic process and raises the question whether it has any bearing on the process.

1,2-Dimethylhydrazine↗

Diploid growth pattern of hepatocellular tumours induced by various carcinogenic treatments.

Hepatocellular carcinomas from rats of different strains, subjected to a variety of carcinogenic treatment regimens in different laboratories (initiation by diethylnitrosamine or dimethylhydrazine, promotion by phenobarbital, 2-acetylaminofluorene, nafenopin, orotic acid or deoxycholic acid, growth stimulation by partial hepatectomy or necrogenic CCl4 treatment), were all found to be predominantly diploid by flow cytometric analysis, in contrast to normal liver tissue in which polyploid nuclei were predominant. A switch from polyploidization to diploid growth would thus seem to be a common property of malignant liver tumours. Benign neoplastic liver nodules were likewise predominantly diploid, with the exception of nodules induced by long-term deoxycholic acid treatment in Fischer rats. In addition to containing a majority of polyploid cells, the latter nodules failed to progress to the carcinoma stage.

Animals↗

Hypomethylation of beta-hydroxy-beta-methyl-glutaryl coenzyme A reductase gene and its expression during hepatocarcinogenesis in the rat.

Our earlier studies had demonstrated that inhibition of DNA methylation following carcinogen treatment potentiated initiation of the carcinogenic process in the rat liver system. The hepatic nodules developed by initiation-promotion protocols showed a characteristic hypomethylation in the cell-cycle-related genes c-fos, c-myc and c-Ha-ras. In the present study we have found that the gene for beta-hydroxy-beta-methyl glutaryl coenzyme A reductase, a major rate-limiting enzyme in the biogenesis of mevalonate, is also hypomethylated at both CCGG and GCGC sites and expressed in hepatic nodules. This gene, however, did not exhibit hypomethylation in CCGG sequences in non-nodular surrounding liver, livers from rats subjected to two-thirds partial hepatectomy, or exposed to initiator alone (1,2-dimethylhydrazine given 18 h after partial hepatectomy) or to diets containing 1% orotic acid alone (promoting regimen). The activity of the enzyme and mevalonate formation are positively correlated with DNA synthesis and cell proliferation--two key components of the carcinogenic process. Taken together, the results suggest that hypomethylation of specific genes occurs in the carcinogenic process and this altered pattern of DNA methylation may play a role in the growth of the nodules.

1,2-Dimethylhydrazine↗

High yields of K-ras mutations in intraductal papillary mucinous tumors and invasive adenocarcinomas induced by N-nitroso(2-hydroxypropyl)(2-oxopropyl)amine in the pancreas of female Syrian hamsters.

Ductal adenocarcinoma, the most common form of pancreatic cancer in humans, is associated with activation of the K-ras oncogene in approximately 90% of cases. In contrast, K-ras mutations are found in < 50% of the relatively rare intraductal papillary mucinous tumor (IPMT), which arises in the main pancreatic ducts. Since both adenocarcinomas and IPMTs are believed to arise from ductal cells and progress through similar sequences of morphological changes (i.e. flat hyperplasia, papillary hyperplasia, atypia and carcinoma in situ), it is clear that such progression may not always necessitate activation of the ras oncogene. Experimentally ductal adenocarcinomas of the pancreas can be induced in the hamster model by a brief treatment with N-nitroso(2-hydroxypropyl)(2-oxopropyl)amine (HPOP), while IPMTs can be induced by a combined treatment with HPOP and orotic acid (OA) in an initiation/promotion schedule. Since animals are exposed to the carcinogen only once, initiated normal epithelium is expected to give rise to a wide spectrum of neoplastic and preneoplastic lesions, progression of which will depend on the extent of mutagenesis induced at initiation in the targeted cells. In order to investigate the role of K-ras in progression of IPMTs as compared with adenocarcinomas we have examined the presence of K-ras mutations in the above two types of experimentally induced pancreatic cancers, as well as in associated and preneoplastic lesions. K-ras mutations at codons 12, 13 and 61 were determined by a designed restriction fragment length polymorphism method using mismatched nested primers in 77 neoplastic and preneoplastic foci microdissected from 20 pancreases. Mutations were found in all foci of atypical hyperplasia, in carcinomas in situ and invasive cancer, whether such lesions originated in lobular tissue or in the main pancreatic duct. Mutations were also found in papillary hyperplasia and flat hyperplasia in small ducts and also in the main duct at high frequency. With one exception, all ras mutations were G-->A transitions at the second base of codon 12. Mutations were occasionally accompanied by excessive presence of the mutant ras allele or loss of the wild-type ras allele, events that were more frequent in atypical hyperplasia (5/17), carcinomas in situ (5/14), IPMTs (2/5) and invasive adenocarcinomas (2/5) than in flat hyperplasia (0/6) or papillary hyperplasia (2/18). Our results demonstrate that: (i) K-ras mutations, predominantly G-->A transitions, are present in all experimentally induced hamster tumors; (ii) the incidence of K-ras mutations in IPMTs is lower in humans than in the hamster model; (iii) advanced lesions in both adenocarcinomas and IPMTs were frequently associated with an excess of the mutant over the wild-type K-ras allele. It is likely that both adenocarcinomas and IPMTs induced chemically in the hamster model arise by mechanisms which involve early activation of K-ras. Such a mechanism seems to be applicable only in a fraction of human IPMTs.

Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous↗

Mutagenic specificity of the food mutagen 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline in Escherichia coli using the yeast URA3 gene as a target.

2-Amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ), a strong mutagen/carcinogen, belongs to a group of heterocyclic amines that are formed (ng/g amounts) during the cooking of protein containing food. The mutational specificity of IQ in Escherichia coli was determined in a forward mutation assay using the yeast URA3 gene as a target. The plasmid pTU-AC, containing the target URA3, was randomly modified in vitro using N-hydroxy-IQ, and subsequently transformed into an E. coli pyrF strain (DB6656). Mutant clones were directly selected by their ability to grow on medium containing 5-fluoro-orotic acid which is toxic to URA3+ clones and thereby selects for URA3- mutants. Single Strand Conformation Polymorphism (SSCP) was used to map the mutation-containing regions of URA3, so that it was necessary to sequence only the relevant, mutation-containing fragment and not the entire gene. At a modification level of 7 IQ-lesions/URA3 gene, the predominant mutations were base substitutions (approximately 70%), followed by complex gene rearrangements (approximately 20%) and frameshifts (approximately 10%). More than 96% of the base substitutions occurred at G:C base pairs and were predominantly G:C-->A:T transitions, followed by G:C-->T:A and G:C-->C:G transversions. Next neighbour analysis revealed that deoxyguanosines situated within the sequence 5'-TGC were more susceptible to mutations induced by IQ. With one exception, all frameshift mutations were -1 deletions at runs of three consecutive dGs. At higher IQ-modification levels, predominantly complex sequence rearrangements were observed.

Base Sequence↗

Modulation of hepatic transcription and translation during early stages of aflatoxin B1 carcinogenesis.

Isolated rat hepatocytes have been used to study the transcription and translation processes at varied time intervals after administration of a single dose (6 mg/kg) of hepatocarcinogen aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). The effects of AFB1 during the first 24 h of drug treatment show a characteristic inhibition followed by periods of rapid recovery and also a hyperactive state when both heterogeneous nuclear RNA (HnRNA) transcription and cytoplasmic translation processes reach about 200% of control. Analysis of [3H]orotic acid pulse-labeled HnRNA and cytoplasmic polyadenylic acid(poly (A)) containing mRNA on sucrose gradients under conditions which prevent aggregation show a stepwise reduction in the total isotopic incorporation as well as in the size distribution during the first 9 h of AFB1 treatment. Between 9 and 24 h after AFB1 treatment, there is a recovery in the total incorporation as well as in the size of HnRNA and poly (A) containing mRNA. Analysis of translation products by a two-dimensional procedure shows loss of some high molecular weight products in AFB1-treated cells. At 24 h after AFB1 treatment (hyperactive stage) there is a total recovery of activity. Also, several new translation products not detected in the control hepatocytes are synthesized at this stage. The hyperactive stage might represent gene-derepression or reprogramming of gene expression.

Aflatoxin B1↗

Inhibition of hepatocarcinogenic responses to 1,2-dimethylhydrazine by diallyl sulfide, a component of garlic oil.

The mechanisms by which diallyl sulfide (DAS), a component of garlic oil, inhibits hepatocarcinogenicity of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) were examined in male Fischer 344 rats. Rats were subjected to partial hepatectomy to stimulate hepatocellular proliferation required for initiation by DMH (50-200 mg/kg i.p.) given 12 h later. Initiation was assessed by the numbers of foci and nodules of hepatocytes that were positive for gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GT) or glutathione-S-transferase-P (GST-P) after 6 weeks promotion by orotic acid (1% in semi-purified diet). DAS at doses above 50 mg/kg (by gavage) administered 1 h before DMH (50 mg/kg) partially reduced the numbers of gamma-GT and GST-P-positive foci. By comparison, all doses of DAS (25-100 mg/kg) completely prevented liver necrosis by DMH (200 mg/kg). DAS substantially reduced macromolecular binding of [14C]DMH in cultured liver cells, but had no effect on their levels of glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione reductase or glutathione peroxidase at 18 h. These findings suggest that low dosages of DAS which reduce DMH binding appear more likely to inhibit hepatocarcinogenicity by reducing the promoting influences of post-necrotic regeneration than by preventing initiation.

Allyl Compounds↗

Isolation and characterization of mutants constitutive for expression of the fbp1 gene of Schizosaccharomyces pombe.

Transcription of the fbp1 gene of Schizosaccharomyces pombe, encoding fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, is glucose repressible. We have constructed two hybrid genes, containing the fbp1 promoter, that allow selection for mutations that alter transcriptional regulation of fbp1. Strains carrying fbp1-ura4 and fbp1-lacZ fusions are phenotypically Ura-, resistant to 5-fluoro-orotic acid, and express a low level of beta-galactosidase activity when grown under repressing conditions (8% glucose). By selecting for Ura+ strains grown under repressing conditions, we have isolated 187 independent mutants that constitutively express the fbp1-ura4 fusion. These mutants identify ten complementation groups that represent ten unlinked git (glucose insensitive transcription) genes. The git gene products are required in trans for glucose repression of expression from the fbp1 promoter since these mutations also alter expression of the fbp1-lacZ fusion. We have shown that transcription of the wild type fbp1 gene in most git mutants is elevated to a level consistent with the increased expression of the fbp1-lacZ hybrid gene. Mutations in some git genes confer additional phenotypes such as slow growth, temperature-sensitive lethality and reduced spore viability. Therefore, some of these genes are likely to encode factors that are of general importance for S. pombe transcription.

Alleles↗

Studies dealing with hepatic RNA metabolism in rats force-fed a threonine-devoid diet.

Young rats were force-fed for 3 days a purified diet devoid of threonine and a number of aspects relating to RNA metabolism in the livers were studied. The findings in the livers of rats force-fed the threonine-devoid diet in comparison with those force-fed the complete diet were as follows: a) poly(A)-mRNA was increased in nuclei and in polyribosomes; b) DNA-dependent RNA polymerases I and II activities were increased; c) in vitro release of 14C-orotic acid labeled RNA from nuclei revealed that transport was unchanged and nucleoside triphosphatase activity of nuclear envelopes was unchanged; d) polyribosomes (total, free and membrane-bound) shifted toward heavier aggregation and in vitro 14C-leucine incorporation into protein was increased; e) RNase activities (at pH 5.4, 7.6, 9.5) were essentially unaltered; and f) in vivo 14C-choline incorporation into microsomal membranes was increased. By administering selected inhibitors of RNA and protein synthesis, such as actinomycin D, alpha-amanitin or cycloheximide, prior to killing the rats force-fed the threonine-devoid or complete diet for 3 days, it was demonstrated that the stimulatory effect on hepatic polyribosomes and protein synthesis in the experimental group was dependent upon new synthesis of poly(A)mRNA and of protein.

Animals↗

Arginine deficiency during gestation and lactation in the rat.

The effects of dietary arginine deprivation during gestation and lactation were studied in the rat. Placental development, as indicated by the total protein and RNA content, of rats fed a diet devoid of arginine was inferior to that of pair-fed controls. Fetal cerebral protein plus body weights were reduced by maternal arginine deprivation. Urinary excretion of orotic acid and citric acid was significantly increased in arginine-deficient rats throughout the gestational period. Pups nursed by arginine-deficient dams during lactational periods had smaller body and organ weights than those nursed by pair-fed control dams regardless of their prenatal nutritional states. Nursing performance of the dam was most affected by feeding arginine-free diet throughout gestation and lactation. Consumption of an arginine-free diet by the dam during gestation resulted in lower birth weight and higher perinatal mortality of the pups nursed. Deletion of arginine from the diet after parturition significantly reduced nursing performance after 18 days of lactation. The reduction in nursing performance caused by arginine deficiency during gestation could be corrected by replenishing arginine after parturition. Mammary gland development, as indicated by nucleic acid content, was reduced by either reducing dietary arginine or food intake during lactation. All these results provided evidence that dietary arginine is required during gestation and lactation for optimal reproductive response and nursing performance in rats.

Animals↗

Protein malnutrition in aged rats: an experimental model.

Although protein requirements have been shown to decrease in rats with age, very few studies have dealth with old animals. In addition, a model of protein deficiency in aged rats has not been established. Nineteen-month-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a 25 (control), 5, or 3.5% casein diet for 1 week ad libitum. Liver protein and RNA content were reduced in the 3.5% casein group when compared to controls. No differences were observed between the control and the 5% casein group. Also, no differences were observed in incorporation of [14C]orotic acid into liver nuclear RNA between these two groups. However, this variable was significantly higher in the 3.5% casein group when compared to control. When comparing the results of this study with our previous studies in young adult rats, the 3.5% casein diet produced biochemical changes in liver that are qualitatively and quantitatively similar to the ones observed in young adult rats fed a 6% casein diet ad libitum, which allows a more direct comparison of the effect of protein deficiency on the aged rat.

Aging↗

Protein and RNA synthesis in pituitary tumors from F344 rats given implants of estrogen.

The synthesis of total proteins, growth hormone, and prolactin and the incorporation of radioactive precursors into RNA was studied in Pituitaries from normal F344 rats and rats given implants of 15 mg diethylstilbestrol (DES). Prolonged DES treatment (greater than 50 days) induced pituitary tumors in male and female rats. The tumor tissue had a high rate of cell protein synthesis and an unusual capacity to synthesize a single-protein hormone (prolactin). After 17 days of DES treatment, the increase in prolactin synthesis in the hyperplastic pituitaries was not as marked as that in the tumors. At the time of tumor induction and high prolactin synthesis, incorporation of uridine or cytidine into RNA was not stimulated, and orotic acid incorporation in tumors from male rats was decreased. During early estrogen treatment (5 and 17 days), significantly less uridine was incorporated into RNA. These data suggested that the increment in protein and hormone synthesis promoted by DES may be related to a decrease in RNA turnover.

Animals↗

Phase I trial of fluorouracil modulation by N-phosphonacetyl-L-aspartate and 6-methylmercaptopurine riboside: optimization of 6-methylmercaptopurine riboside dose and schedule through biochemical analysis of sequential tumor biopsy specimens.

Preclinical and clinical studies demonstrate that the selective antitumor activity of fluorouracil (5-FU) is enhanced by agents which perturb certain intracellular nucleotide pools. We previously demonstrated that the combination of N-phosphonacetyl-L-aspartate (PALA), which depletes pyrimidine nucleotide pools, and 5-FU yielded a 43% response rate among 37 assessable patients with colorectal carcinoma. In preclinical tumor models, 6-methylmercaptopurine riboside (MMPR), an inhibitor of purine synthesis, elevates phosphoribosylpyrophosphate (PRPP) pools and promotes the anabolism of 5-FU to fluorinated nucleotides. In vivo, the addition of MMPR enhances the therapeutic efficacy of PALA-5-FU. In a phase I trial, we sought to determine the optimal dose and schedule of MMPR in combination with PALA (250 mg/m2 on day 1) and 5-FU (1300 mg/m2 by 24-hour infusion on day 2). MMPR (75-225 mg/m2) was given intravenously on day 1 to 27 patients with solid tumors (15 colorectal, seven breast, five other). Toxic effects were mild to moderate and included leukopenia, mucositis, nausea, or rash. Two of seven patients given MMPR at 225 mg/m2 had grade 3 diarrhea. PRPP was measured using a [14C]orotic acid 14CO2 release assay in tumor biopsy specimens obtained before and 12 hours and 24 hours after MMPR doses were given to 20 patients. The addition of MMPR elevated PRPP pools in human solid tumors. At 12 hours after treatment, two (50%) of four patients showed a twofold or greater elevation of PRPP at the MMPR dose level of 75 mg/m2; a similar elevation was observed in five (71%) of seven patients given 150 mg/m2 MMPR and in three (43%) of seven patients given 225 mg/m2 MMPR. At 24 hours after treatment, results for the respective dose levels of MMPR were two (33%) of six patients, one (20%) of five patients, and four (57%) of seven patients. Administration of the two highest MMPR dose levels appeared to result in a greater increase in tumor PRPP levels. However, toxicity was greater at the 225 mg/m2 dose level; therefore, the 150 mg/m2 dose level was favored. Tumor levels of PRPP decreased between 12 hours and 24 hours in nine (56%) of 16 patients. This time course indicates that MMPR should be administered at the beginning of the 24-hour infusion of 5-FU.

Adult↗

Correction of mouse ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency by gene transfer into the germ line.

The sparse fur with abnormal skin and hair (Spf-ash) mouse is a model for the human X-linked hereditary disorder, ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) deficiency. In Spf-ash mice, both OTC mRNA and enzyme activity are 5% of control values resulting in hyperammonemia, pronounced orotic aciduria and an abnormal phenotype characterized by growth retardation and sparse fur. Using microinjection, we introduced a construction containing rat OTC cDNA linked to the SV40 early promoter into fertilized eggs of Spf-ash mice. The expression of the transgene resulted in the development of a transgenic mouse whose phenotype and orotic acid excretion are fully normalized. Thus, the possibility of correcting hereditary enzymatic defect by gene transfer of heterologous cDNA coding for the normal enzyme has been demonstrated.

Amino Acid Metabolism, Inborn Errors↗

Genetic selection of meiotic and mitotic recombinant yeast artificial chromosomes.

We have developed a genetic screen for the isolation of larger or smaller recombinant yeast artificial chromosomes derived from overlapping YACs. Integration plasmids were used to modify the TRP1 and URA3 auxotrophic markers present respectively on the left and right vector arms of one of the parental YACs. Diploids containing the two parental YACs were studied through meiosis and mitosis. Tetrad analysis revealed the presence of meiotic recombinant YACs at a frequency comparable with what is expected for yeast DNA (about 3 kb/cM). More direct genetic selection of diploids on -TRP-LYS synthetic media in the presence of 5-fluoro-orotic acid (5-FOA), led to the isolation of mitotic recombinant YACs at a high frequency. Analysis of these yeast cells by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, confirmed the loss of both parental artificial chromosomes, and the specific retention of a larger or smaller recombinant YAC.

Animals↗

Studies on the protein components of 110S and total ribonucleoprotein particles of rat liver nucleoli.

Proteins of rat liver nucleolar RNP, especially 110S RNP containing 45S RNA, were investigated and the following results were obtained. 1. Nucleolar extract was prepared from thioacetamide-treated rat liver nucleoli in the presence of 1 mg PVS per ml. Sucrose-density gradient centrifugation of the nucleolar extract showed RNP distributed between 60S and 110S. The 110S particles (110S RNP) contain 45S RNA as judged from the radioactivity profiles of nucleolar extract labelled in vivo with [3H]orotic acid for 10 min and 2 h. The protein components of 110S RNP and total RNP heavier than 60S (total RNP) were analyzed and compared. 2. Since the effects of PVS treatment on the extraction and the electrophoretic pattern of ribosomal proteins were removed by increasing the Mg2+ concentration during acetic acid extraction, as described in our preceding paper (1), proteins of 110S RNP as well as total RNP from PVS-pretreated nucleoli were extracted with 67% acetic acid containing 334 mM Mg2+ and analyzed by two-dimensional acrylamide gel electrophoresis. Ribosomal proteins masked by contaminating histone spots on the gel were identified by SDS-acrylamide gel electrophoresis. 3. 110S RNP contained a large portion of ribosomal proteins from large subunits; 24 protein spots were distinct, 6 protein spots were faint and 5 proteins (L3, L8, L30, L35, and L36) were missing completely. On the other hand, 110S RNP contained a small number of small subunit proteins; only 6 proteins showed distinct spots, 7 proteins showed faint spots and 12 protein spots were missing. 110S particles contained 11 non-ribosomal proteins, although it is difficult to rule out the possibility that some of them were contaminating chromatin proteins. 4. Total RNP showed electrophoretic patterns of 60S ribosomal proteins similar to those of 110S RNP, although L3 protein was present as a faint spot and 26 proteins showed distinct spots. Total RNP contained more small subunit proteins than 110S RNP; 7 proteins spots were distinct, 10 protein spots were faint and 8 protein spots were missing. The results suggest that some kinds of 40S proteins and L3 protein are attached to 110S RNP during the processing of 110S RNP.

Animals↗

The diagnostic utility of a genetics evaluation in children with pervasive developmental disorders.

PURPOSE: A genetics evaluation of children with pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs) identifies a diagnosis in 6% to 15% of cases. However, previous studies have not measured the incidence of genetic disorders among children with autistic-like features who do not necessarily meet the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition criteria for PDD. METHODS: We identified 101 patients at our institution referred for PDD, autism, Asperger syndrome, or autistic features. Seventy-eight were males and 23 were females, giving a male-to-female ratio of 3.4:1. No diagnosis was identified on examination alone, although Rett syndrome was suspected in six females. Seventeen patients did not undergo any type of testing because of noncompliance. RESULTS: Of the remaining 84 patients analyzed, seven (8.3%) were found to have abnormalities on testing. Three chromosomal anomalies were found: one with 5p duplication, one with low-level mosaicism for trisomy 21, and one with an unbalanced 10;22 translocation. Three females were diagnosed with Rett syndrome after MECP2 analysis identified a disease-causing mutation. The remaining patient was found to have an elevated urine orotic acid, with a normal ammonia level, of unknown significance. CONCLUSION: On the basis of our series, the yield of a genetics evaluation in patients with features of PDD who do not necessarily meet the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition criteria is 8.3%. Approximately half of these were the result of a chromosomal abnormality. Three cases of Rett syndrome were identified for which autistic behaviors are a well-described feature. These findings suggest that a high-resolution karyotype provides the greatest diagnostic yield for patients with autistic-like features. MECP2 analysis should be considered for females who present with autistic behaviors.

Adolescent↗

Microbiology of saturated salt solutions and other harsh environments. IV. New observations on ribonucleotide-induced recovery of KCl-habituated Penicillium notatum.

Salt-tolerant mutant Penicillium notatum sub-cultured in a glucose-peptone broth saturated with KCl shows continued attenuated growth when transferred to salt-free broth. Additional tests have shown E. coli S-RNA to be inferior to yeast RNA preparations, that base-free phosphate sources are inactive, but that nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and flavine adenine dinucleotide are moderately active. All phosphate derivatives of adenine, cytosine and guanosine and inosine were active including 5'-polyphosphates, 3'(2')-monophosphates 5'-monophosphates, and adenine 3', 5'-cyclic monophosphate. Uracil derivatives were of low activity at best. Among base precursors, orotic acid was moderately active whereas imidazoles were not. The high activity of inosine 5'-phosphate a precursor of other purine nucleotides suggested that one mode of KCl action might involve a block in conversion of 4-amino-5-imidazole carboxamide ribonucleoside to the hypoxanthine nucleotide.

Nucleotides↗