CHEMICAL STRUCTURE OF STREPTOMYCIN AND THE CHANGE IN FREQUENCY OF NUCLEAR DAMAGE OF IRRADIATED MAMMALIAN CELLS

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 UTC 1960 · Biophysics (U.S.S.R.) (English Translation)

OSTI ID:4801185

Shapiro, N I; Belitsina, N V

The chemical structure of streptomycin is reviewed. Results are reported from studies on the effects of streptidine on the frequency of radiation- induced chromosome aberrations in mouse Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. From resuits of this study it is concluded that the anti-radiation effect of streptomycin is wholly determined by the presence of its molecule of streptidine. Further investigations concerning the nature of the effect of streptidine showed that this substance contains reactive guanidino groups which are responsible for its beneficial influence in radiation injuries. The efficacy of substances of similar structure in reversing nuclear damage caused by irradiation was investigated. It was found that arginine is just as effective in combating radiation effects as streptomycin and streptidine. Guanidine, norvaline, and ornithine also exerted a favorable effect. It was concluded that the reversibility of radioinduced nuclear damage is due to substances containing a guanidino group, but not to guanidine itself. To be effective, the guanidino group must be linked with 4-hydroxycyclohexane in streptine or with the amino acid residue of arginine. Guanidine alone or the amino acid without guanidine did not have a protective effect. A possible relationship between the reduction of chromosome aberrations and desoxyribonucleic acid content is suggested. (C.H.)

• Research Organization: Inst. of Biological Physics, Academy of Sciences, Moscow
• NSA Number: NSA-16-008568
• OSTI ID: 4801185
• Journal Information: Biophysics (U.S.S.R.) (English Translation), Journal Name: Biophysics (U.S.S.R.) (English Translation) Vol. Vol: 5: No. 6
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

AMINO ACIDS
ANIMAL CELLS
ANTIBIOTICS
ARGININE
BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
CELL NUCLEI
CHROMOSOMES
GUANIDINE
MICE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORNITHINE
RADIATION INJURIES
RADIATION PROTECTION
STREPTOMYCIN
TUMORS
VALINE