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Origin of yolk-DNA in Xenopus laevis

Journal Article · · J. Exp. Zool.; (United States)

Xenopus laevis serum and plasma was found to contain an average of 25 ..mu..g DNA/ml. Isolated X. laevis oocytes incubated in medium containing 25 ..mu..g DNA/ml labeled with either /sup 125/I, /sup 32/P, or /sup 14/C and from three different sources (bovine, E. coli and X. laevis), incorporated the label at an average rate of 0.11 ng mm/sup -2/ h/sup -1/. Sucrose gradient fractionation of oocytes revealed that 40 to 75% of the acid-precipitable label incorporated was associated with the yolk platelets. Additional incubations of oocytes in unlabeled medium demonstrated that the DNA incorporated into the yolk platelets was undergoing turnover; only 20% of the yolk-associated DNA was still present after a one-week incubation. Our data suggest that yolk-DNA arises by the adventitious uptake of DNA present in the maternal serum by vitellogenic oocytes.

Research Organization:
Univ. of Tennessee, Oak Ridge
OSTI ID:
7099626
Journal Information:
J. Exp. Zool.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Exp. Zool.; (United States) Vol. 209:3; ISSN JEZOA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English