EFFECT OF GAMMA-RAYS ON THYMUS NUCLEOPROTEIN IN SOLUTION

Journal Article · Sat Oct 21 04:00:00 EDT 1961 · Nature

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/192228a0· OSTI ID:4831122

Peacocke, A R; Preston, B N

Experiments were made on the effects of gamma radiation on the molecular weight and shape of soluble desoxyribonucleohistone froi calf thvmus glands. The molecular weights of nucleoprotein were determined by the method of light- scattering and had an average value of 22 x 10/sup 6/, with a maximum variation of 10% from one independent extraction to another. lrradiation also caused a decrease in viscosity, with no after effect, and no increase in UV absorption at 259 m mu . This suggests that a decrease in molecular size occurred wlthout denaturation of the nucleic acid of the complex. The first major effect of irradiation on the nucleoprotein complex appears to be dlssociation of the small protein molecules from the nucleic acid, which remains relatively intact until most of the protein is dissociated. The effect of changes in concentiation indicate that the dissociation process does not have the usual characteristics of an indirect effect. There was no evidence for denaturation of the nucleic acid in the irradiated nucleoprotein even up to 40 ev/phosphorus atom. (P.C.H.)

• Research Organization: Originating Research Org. not identified
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-16-001543
• OSTI ID: 4831122
• Journal Information: Nature, Journal Name: Nature Vol. Vol: 192
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ANIMALS
BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
GAMMA RADIATION
MOLECULAR WEIGHT
MOLECULES
NUCLEIC ACIDS
NUCLEOPROTEINS
PHOSPHORUS
PROTEINS
QUANTITY RATIO
RADIATION EFFECTS
SOLUTIONS
THYMUS
VISCOSITY
WEIGHT