DIFFERENTIAL DESTRUCTION OF THE TRANSFORMING ACTIVITY OF DAMAGED DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID BY A BACTERIAL ENZYME

Journal Article · Sat Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1962 · Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.48.9.1670· OSTI ID:4744869

Strauss, B S

Alkylation and ultraviolet irradiation were both shown to sensitize desoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) to further degradation without destroying the biological activity of the DNA. Results are reported from studies on alkylated transforming DNA prepared from wild-type B. subtilis differentially inactivated when incubated with an extract from M. lysodeikticus. No such differential sensitivity was observed when control and alkylated DNA were incubated with pancreatic desoxyribonuclease or with a cobra venoin preparation. DNA alkylated with methyl methanesulfonate lost its bioiogical activity on heating for 5 hr at 50 deg C. Irradiation with ultraviolet iight sensitized transforming DNA to inactivation by extracts of M. lysodeikticus, and this sensitization appeared to be dose-dependent. In contrast to alkylated DNA, the ultraviolet-irradiated DNA was not sensitive to heat treatment. Possible reaction mechanisms responsible for the inactivation of alkylnted DNA are discussed. (C.H.)

• Research Organization: Univ. of Chicago
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-17-007702
• OSTI ID: 4744869
• Journal Information: Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S., Journal Name: Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S. Vol. Vol: 48
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ALKYL RADICALS
BACILLUS SUBTILIS
BACTERIA
BIOCHEMISTRY
BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
ENZYMES
NUCLEIC ACIDS
TEMPERATURE
ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION