水稻低温发芽力QTL定位和遗传分析

以Kinmaze(粳稻)／DV85(籼稻)的重组自交系F10世代群体检测了影响水稻低温发芽力性状的数量性状基因座(QTL)。通过测定不同时期的低温发芽率,确定了15℃低温、第10d为检测低温发芽率的最适处理温度和时间,该条件下能够充分检测到品种的差异和分离群体的变异。通过设置对照,证明所检测的低温发芽率不受休眠及二次休眠的影响。15℃低温、第10d时,Kinmaze的发芽率达35％,DV85的发芽率只有7％,两亲本之间存在明显差异,该群体81个家系的低温发芽率变幅在0％～99％之间。QTL分析结果检测到5个与低温发芽力相关的基因座,分别位于第2、6、7、11和12染色体上。位于第2、6和11染色体上的qLTG-2、qLTG-6和qLTG-11贡献率分别为27．1％、17．1％和15．0％,对低温发芽力性状的增效基因来自DV85;位于第7、12染色体上qLTG-7和qLTG-12的贡献率分别为22．9％和8．8％,增效基因来自Kinmaze。其中,qLTG-6和qLTG-11在染色体上的位置与已报道的有关低温发芽力QTL位置相似,而qLTG-2、qLTG-7和qLTG-12为新检测的低温发芽力基因座。上位性分析结果显示,第3与第5染色体上存在影响低温发芽力的互作位点,其互作可以提高低温发芽力,而第7染色体上的两位点之间的互作降低了低温发芽力。     

水稻幼苗活力性状的低温反应数量性状基因座检测

以籼粳交“密阳23/吉冷1号”的F2：3代200个家系作为作图群体,在12℃冷水胁迫下,进行苗高、苗鲜重和苗干重等水稻幼苗活力性状的低温反应鉴定,并利用由SSR标记构建的分子连锁图谱为基础,对冷水胁迫下苗高、苗鲜重和苗干重以及它们的低温反应指数进行了数量性状基因座（QTLs）检测。研究结果表明,低温胁迫下上述幼苗活力性状在F3家系群中均表现为接近正态的连续分布,表现为由多基因控制的数量性状;在第1、2、7、8和12染色体上,检测到与幼苗活力性状的低温反应相关的QTL共12个,对表型变异的贡献率范围为5．2％-17．9％,其中位于第2染色体RM262-RM263区间和第12染色体RM270-RM17区间的与低温下苗高相关的qCSH2和qCSH12,以及位于第12染色体RM19-RM270区间和第1染色体RM129-RM9区间的分别控制低温下苗干重及其低温反应指数的qSDW12和qCSDW1对表型变异的贡献率较大,分别为16．6％、17．9％、15．9％和16．2％。其增效等位基因均来自吉冷1号,前两者均表现为加性效应,后两者分别表现为显性和超显性。     

水稻RIL群体苗期耐冷性QTL分析

水稻苗期冷害是影响早春季节和高纬度地区水稻成苗和秧苗生长的重要限制因素之一。为了鉴定控制水稻苗期耐冷性的QTL,研究采用了1个水稻“粳籼交”重组自交系(RIL)群体,结合1张高密度分子遗传图谱,对3叶期幼苗经过10℃冷处理3d、恢复培养2d和4d时的秧苗存活率进行复合区间作图。亲本Lemont和特青的苗期耐冷性具有极显著差异,Lemont的苗期耐冷性很强,而特青对低温敏感。在重组自交系群体中,苗期耐冷性表现为连续变异,在两个方向上均出现大量超亲分离。共检测到5个水稻苗期耐冷性QTL,分别位于水稻1、3、8和11号染色体上,单个QTL对性状的贡献率为7％～21％。其中,4个QTL的增效基因来源于亲本Lemont,另1个QTL的增效基因来源于亲本特青。2个主效QTL(qSCT-3和qSCT-8)分别位于3号染色体标记区间RM282-RM156和8号染色体标记区间RM230—RM264,对性状的贡献率达到或接近20％,被检测到的LOD值显著较高,其增效基因均来自于耐冷性亲本Lemont。研究结果进一步揭示了水稻苗期耐冷性QTL具有丰富的位点多样性,表明耐冷性普遍较强的粳稻是发掘苗期耐冷性优异基因的主要稻种资源。     

利用籼粳回交群体分析水稻粒形性状相关QTLs

水稻谷粒的外观性状对稻米外观品质存在重要的影响。该研究利用SSR标记,以回交群体Balilla／NTH∥Balilla为作图群体,构建了水稻12条染色体的连锁图,该遗传图谱包括：108个分子标记,平均图距为11．9cM。以构建的遗传图谱为基础,采用区间作图法对谷粒外观性状,包括粒长、粒宽和粒形进行了数量性状基因(QTL)定位。结果表明,粒长、粒宽和粒形在回交群体中均呈近似的正态分布,表现出典型的数量性状特征。QTL定位结果表明,第12染色体上RM101-RM270区间内存在一个与粒长性状相关的QTL,(qGL-12),加性效应约为0．26mm,贡献率为16．7％。在第2和第3染色体上RM154-RM211和RM257-RM175区问内,分别检测到qGW-2和qGW-3两个位点与粒宽性状有关,加性效应为分别为-0．10mm和-0．12mm,贡献率分别为11．5％和16．6％。对于粒形性状,共检测到3个QTLs,qLW-2、qLW-6和qLW-7,分别位于第2、6和7染色体上。其中qLW-2和qLW-7的加性效应分别约为0．09和0．10,两个QTLs分别可解释表型变异的12．7％和18．3％;而qLW-6的加性效应约为-0．13,可解释粒形变异的11．5％。文中还讨论了粒形和稻米外观品质同时改良的可能性。     

两种肥力水平下水稻苗高QTL的比较分析

利用一个来源于粳／籼交组合的水稻重组自交系群体进行盆栽试验,设正常肥力(对照CK)和低肥力(不施肥)2个处理,分别在播种后25d(时期Ⅰ)和50d(时期Ⅱ)取样测定秧苗的苗高。结合一张含有198个标记的高密度分子遗传图谱,对性状进行复合区间作图。共检测到8个水稻苗高QTL,分别位于第1、3、5、6、8和10号染色体上,各QTL对性状的贡献率为4％～12％。通过对2种肥力水平下水稻苗高QTL的比较分析,发现大多数QTL只在1种肥力水平下表达,QTL与不同肥力水平之间存在着显著的互作。唯一一个在2种肥力水平下均能稳定起作用、而且加性效应的方向一致的QTL是qSH-3-2,该QTL位于3号染色体标记区间RM156-RM16,其加性效应值为正,增效基因来自于亲本Lemont。此外,有3个QTL(qSH-1、qSH-3-3和qSH-5)在2个抽样时期均起作用,且加性效应的方向一致。对利用分子标记辅助选择改良水稻品种的耐低肥特性的育种策略进行了讨论。     

水稻低温发芽势的遗传及数量性状基因座分析

利用籼粳交“密阳23／吉冷1号”的F2：3代200个家系作为作图群体,在14℃条件下鉴定萌发7d、11d、14d和17d时低温发芽势,并利用由SSR标记构建的分子连锁图谱为基础,对不同萌发阶段的低温发芽势进行了数量性状基因座（QTLs）检测,同时进行了低温发芽势与其他耐冷性状间的相关分析。结果表明,萌发7d时低温发芽势及其低温反应指数呈现向低发芽势和低的低温反应指数的偏态分布,而萌发11d、14d和17d时低温发芽势及其低温反应指数均呈现接近正态的单峰连续分布。萌发14d时低温发芽势与其他耐冷性的相关性较萌发7d、11d和17d时低温发芽势更为密切,与芽期耐冷性、幼苗期耐冷性、低温下幼苗生长能力和孕穗期耐冷性表现为显著或极显著的正相关。位于第2染色体RM29-RM262区间的qLVG2和第7染色体RM336-RM118区间的qLVG7-2、qCIVG7-2在萌发11d、14d和17d时均检测到;位于RM29-RM262区间的qCIVG2在萌发11d和14d时均检测到,并对表型变异的贡献率随着萌发进程而逐渐增加。与低温发芽势相关的qLVG2贡献率从6．9％增加到14.2％,qLVG7-2贡献率从9．9％增加到11．2％,而与发芽势的低温反应指数相关的qCIVG2贡献率从6.3％增加到9．0％,qCIVG7-2贡献率从8．3％增加12．9％。这些QTL的增效等位基因均来自强耐冷亲本吉冷1号,基因作用方式主要为部分显性。     

水稻RIL群体芽期耐冷性基因的分子标记定位

水稻芽期冷害是我国长江中下游的早稻种植区和东北、西北稻区及云贵高原的一季稻区水稻生产中的重要限制因子之一。研究中利用纸卷法测定1个水稻重组自交系群体对10℃低温的芽期耐冷性,结合1张高密度分子遗传图谱,进行QTL定位分析。检测到控制水稻芽期耐冷性的4个QTL,分别位于1、3、7和11号染色体上。其中,位于11号染色体上的QTL qSCT-11的效应最大,在10℃低温处理13d时,对性状的贡献率达26％～30％,被检测到的LOD值也高达16～19,其加性效应值为正,增效等位基因存在于亲本Lemont中,RM202为与QTL qSCT-11紧密连锁的SSR标记。该主效QTL的增效基因,可作为分子标记辅助选择的操作对象用于水稻芽期耐冷性的遗传改良。     

东乡野生稻低温发芽力QTL定位及超级稻耐冷改良

低温发芽力是限制直播稻种子成苗的主要因素之一。研究低温发芽力遗传及分子机制对选育适宜直播的优良水稻新品种意义重大。本研究利用东乡野生稻和超级稻沈农265通过多代回交和自交的方法构建的回交重组自交系群体,根据农艺性状和低温发芽力的综合表现,筛选了10份综合农艺性状良好且低温发芽力较强的株系,为超级稻沈农265低温发芽力的改良提供了基础材料。采用集团分离分析法(BSA),共检测到4个标记与低温发芽力连锁,分别是2号染色体RM324和RM166、5号染色体RM534和9号染色体RM257。进一步通过连锁分析,鉴定出15个低温发芽力相关QTL,分别位于第1、2、4、5、6、7和11号染色体,这些QTL的LOD值介于2.57~5.00之间,QTL贡献率介于11.48%~17.72%之间。其中位于2号染色体的qGP-2-1和qGP-2-4与BSA法检测到的连锁标记RM324和RM166一致,这两个位点可用于低温发芽力分子标记辅助选择。     

水稻耐亚铁毒QTLs的定位

亚铁毒是潜育性水稻土中限制水稻产量的主要因子。利用龙杂8503／IR64的F2和等价的F3群体,在营养液中培养来定位耐亚铁毒的QTLs。通过构建101SSR标记的遗传连锁图谱来确定耐亚铁毒QTLs的位置和特性。借助叶片棕色斑点指数、株高和最大根长3个性状,利用营养液在水稻苗期来评价F2单株、F3群体和亲本龙杂8503、IR64,共检测到叶片棕色斑点指数、株高和最大根长的QTLs20个,分布在水稻的10条染色体上,表明这些性状受多基因控制。控制叶片棕色斑点指数的QTLs分别定位在第1染色体的RM315-RM212、第2染色体的RM6-RM240和第4染色体的RM252-RM451之间。与前人的研究结果比较发现：1）位于第4染色体RM252-RM451之间的控制叶片棕色斑点指数的QTL与水稻功能图谱上控制叶绿素含量减少的QTL的位置一致。另一个位于第1染色体的RM315-RM212之间的控制叶片棕色斑点指数的QTL与水稻功能图谱上位于C178-R2635之间控制叶绿素含量的QTL连锁。2）位于第2染色体RM6-RM240之间的第3个控制叶片棕色斑点指数的QTL与位于RZ58-CD0686的控制钾吸收的QTL连锁。     

直播条件下水稻6个穗部性状的QTL分析

在大田直播条件下,利用来源于＂Lemont/特青＂的重组自交系群体,对水稻6个穗部性状及其相互间遗传相关的分子基础进行了QTL分析,共检测到19个QTL,各性状QTL数为2～4个,单个QTL贡献率为4%～22%。共检测到3个染色体区段能同时影响多个穗部性状,其中第1染色体RM212-RM104和第2染色体RM263-RM221区段的QTL能同时影响单株产量、每穗颖花数、着粒密度和二次枝梗数中的3个或4个性状,且这2个区段的QTL对各性状的效应方向相同,增效等位基因均来自‘特青’,为各性状间表型正相关提供了重要的遗传解释。第11染色体RG1022附近的QTL对着粒密度的效应值为负,来自‘特青’的等位基因增加性状值,而对穗长的效应值为正,来自‘特青’的等位基因降低性状值,为这2个性状间表型负相关也提供了一定的遗传解释。此外,对水稻穗部性状QTL在多种环境和遗传背景下的稳定表达及其在分子标记辅助育种中的应用进行了讨论。     

Land,livestock, and livelihoods: Changing dynamics of gender,caste, and ethnicity in a Nepalese Village

Over the past 10 years, Ghusel VDC, Lalitpur District has moved from primarily subsistence agriculture into the wider cash economy aided by the Small Farmers' Development Program (SFDP), which provides credit to farmers mainly for the purchase of buffalo for milk production, and by the National Dairy Corporation, which supports local dairy cooperatives. Analysis reveals that buffalo-keeping and milk sales are increasing the well-being of many households, while at the same time creating new inequalities in gender roles and responsibilities, greater inequities between Brahmin and Tamang residents in Ghusel, and placing pressures on the ecosystem for increased supplies of fodder and fuelwood. Evidence suggests that there is critical, need for attention to the social, and particularly gender-based, implications of maintaining livestock for milk sales and to the ecological underpinnings of this livelihood system.     

Reorientation of Microfibrils and Microtubules at the Outer Epidermal Wall of Maize Coleoptiles During Auxin-Mediated Growth

Auxin-mediated elongation growth of isolated subapical coleoptile segments of maize (Zea mays L.) is controlled by the extensibility of the outer cell wall of the outer epidermis (Kutschera et al., 1987). Here we investigate the hypothesis that auxin controls the extensibility of this wall by changing the orientation of newly deposited microfibrils through a corresponding change in the orientation of cortical microtubules. On the basis of electron micrographs it is shown that cessation of growth after removal of the endogenous source of auxin is correlated with a relative increase of longitudinally orientated microfibrils and microtubules at the inner wall surface. Conversely, reinduction of growth by exogenous auxin is correlated with a relative increase of transversely orientated microfibrils and microtubules at the inner wall surface. These changes can be detected 30–60 min after the removal and addition of auxin, respectively. The functional significance of directional changes of newly desposited wall microfibrils for the control of elongation growth is discussed.     

Influence of Fluoride on Rat Kidney Antioxidant System: Effects of Methionine and Vitamin E

The aim of the study has been to determine and compare the influence upon the kidney antioxidative system, exercised by administration of vitamin E, and vitamin E in combination with methionine, under conditions of oxidative stress induced by sodium fluoride. The experiment was carried out on Wistar FL rats (adult males) that, for 35 days, were administered water, NaF, NaF with vitamin E, or vitamin E with methionine (doses: 10 mg NaF/kg of body mass/24 h, 3 mg vitamin E per 10 μl per rat for 24 h, 2 mg methionine per rat for 24 h). The influence of administered sodium fluoride and antioxidants upon the antioxidative system in kidney was examined by analyzing the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activity of the most important antioxidative enzymes (SOD, total and both its isoenzymes, GPX, GST, GR, and CAT). The studies carried out confirmed the disadvantageous effect of the administered dose of NaF upon the antixodiative system in rats (increase in the concentration MDA, decrease activity of all antioxidative enzymes). The administration of vitamin E increased the activity of studied enzymes with the exception of glutathione reductase GR; it also reduced the procesess of lipid peroxidation. It has been found that combined doses of vitamin E and methionine were most effective in inhibiting lipid peroxidation processes. The results confirmed the antioxidative properties of methionine.     

多马胺能药物对鲇鱼促性腺激素（GtH）分泌活动的影响

以珠江流域鲇鱼（silurus asotus)为实验材料,研究了多巴胺（DA）能药物（DA及其D－2型受体拮抗物 ,DOM）对鲇鱼促性腺激素（GtH)释放的影响,结果表明,在性腺发育的各个时期,单独注射DOM（5ug/g)均不能显著提高鲇鱼血液基础GtH水平,当DOM与LHRH－A联合注射时能显著增强LHRH－A刺激GtH释放的作用;DA只能抑制GnRH诱导的GtH释放,对基础GtH释放无抑制作用,这种生殖内分泌调节方式与鲇形目的革胡子鲇（Clarias gariepinus)和大鳍Hu（Mystus macropterus)相似,而与鲤形目的鲁科（Cyrpindiae)鱼类不同。     

Gamma-glutamylcysteine protects ergothioneine-deficient Mycobacterium tuberculosis mutants against oxidative and nitrosative stress

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb.), the causative agent of tuberculosis (TB), cannot synthesize GSH, but synthesizes two major low molecular weight thiols namely mycothiol (MSH) and ergothioneine (ERG). Gamma-glutamylcysteine (GGC), an intermediate in GSH synthesis, has been implicated in the protection of lactic acid bacteria from oxidative stress in the absence of GSH. In mycobacteria, GGC is an intermediate in ERG biosynthesis, and its formation is catalysed by EgtA (GshA). GGC is subsequently used by EgtB in the formation of hercynine-sulphoxide-GGC. In this study, M.tb. mutants harbouring unmarked, in-frame deletions in each of the fives genes involved in ERG biosynthesis (egtA, egtB, egtC, egtD and egtE) or a marked deletion of the mshA gene (required for MSH biosynthesis) were generated. Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry analyses (LC-MS) revealed that the production of GGC was elevated in the MSH-deficient and the ERG-deficient mutants. The ERG-deficient ΔegtB mutant which accumulated GGC was more resistant to oxidative and nitrosative stress than the ERG-deficient, GGC-deficient ΔegtA mutant. This implicates GGC in the detoxification of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in M.tb.     

Identification of specific binding sites for leukotriene C4 in human fetal lung

Specific leukotriene C₄ (LTC₄) binding sites were identified in membrane preparations from human fetal lung. Specific binding of [³H]-LTC₄ represented 95 percent of total binding, reached steadystate within 10 minutes and was rapidly reversible upon addition of excess unlabeled LTC₄. Binding assays were performed at 4°C under conditions which prevented metabolism of [³H]-LTC₄ (80 mM serineborate, 10 mM cysteine, 10 mM glycine). Under these conditions, greater than 95 percent of the membrane bound radioactivity, as analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography, co-eluted with the LTC₄ standard. Computer-assisted analyses of saturation binding data showed a single class of binding sites with a dissociation constant (K_d) of 26 + 6 nM and a density (B_max) of 84 ± 18 pmol/mg protein. Pharmacological specificity was demonstrated by competition studies in which specific binding of [³H]-LTC₄ was displaced by LTC₄ and its structural analogs with inhibition constants (K_j) of 10 to 30 nM, whereas LTD₄, diastereoisomers of LTD₁, LTE₄ and the end organ antagonist FPL 55712 were 150 to 700 fold less potent competitors than LTC₄. These results provide evidence for specific, reversible, saturable, high affinity binding sites for [³H]-LTC₄ in human fetal lung membranes.     

Tuning of electronic properties of one-dimensional cyano-bridged Cu-Ni, Cu-Pd, and Cu-Pt bimetallic assemblies by stereochemistry of ligands

Preparations, XPS and electronic spectroscopy, and magnetism of seven new one-dimensional cyano-bridged coordination polymers, chiral [Cu(RR-chxn)₂][Pd(CN)₄] · 2H₂O (1), [Cu(trans-chxn)₂][M(CN)₄] · 2H₂O (2, 4, and 6 for M = Pd, Ni, and Pt), and [Cu(cis-chxn)₂][M(CN)₄] · 2H₂O (3, 5, and 7 for M = Pd, Ni, and Pt) (RR-chxn = cyclohexane-(1R,2R)-diamine, trans-chxn = racemic trans-cyclohexane-(1,2)-diamine, and cis-chxn = racemic cis-cyclohexane-(1,2)-diamine) have been reported in view of tuning of their electronic properties by stereochemistry of chxn ligands and metal-substitution. Comparison of Cu 2p_1/2 and 2p_3/2 peaks of XPS and broad d-d bands around 18 000 cm⁻¹ of electronic spectra are described systematically for 1-7. Variable-temperature magnetic measurement shows that complexes 1-7 indicate weak antiferromagnetic interactions via cyano-bridges. Because of semi-coordination coupled with pseudo Jahn-Teller elongation and electrostatic interaction for 1, the axial Cu-N coordination bond distances of 2.330(7) and 3.092(8) Å are considerably longer than those of equatorial ones in the range from 2.016(6) to 2.030(6) Å. The former bond distances of 1 are intermediate values among the related Ni (2.324(6) and 3.120(8) Å) and Pt (2.34(1) and 3.09(1) Å) complexes.     

Structure and function of S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase

In mammals, S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase (AdoHcyase) is the only known enzyme to catalyze the breakdown of S-adenosylhomocysteine (AdoHcy) to homocysteine and adenosine. AdoHcy is the product of all adenosylmethionine (AdoMet)-dependent biological transmethylations. These reactions have a wide range of products, and are common in all facets of biometabolism. As a product inhibitor, elevated levels of AdoHcy suppress AdoMet-dependent transmethylations. Thus, AdoHcyase is a regulator of biological transmethylation in general. The three-dimensional structure of AdoHcyase complexed with reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADH) and the inhibitor (1′R, 2′S, 3′R)-9-(2′,3′-dihyroxycyclopenten-1-yl)adenine (DHCeA) was solved by a combination of the crystallographic direct methods program, SnB, to determine the selenium atom substructure and by treating the multiwavelength anomalous diffraction data as a special case of multiple isomorphous replacement. The enzyme architecture resembles that observed for NAD-dependent dehydrogenases, with the catalytic domain and the cofactor binding domain each containing a modified Rossmann fold. The two domains form a deep active site cleft containing the cofactor and bound inhibitor molecule. A comparison of the inhibitor complex of the human enzyme and the structure of the rat enzyme, solved without inhibitor, suggests that a 17° rigid body movement of the catalytic domain occurs upon inhibitor/substrate binding.     

Cellulose-microfibril-orienting mechanisms in plant cells walls

A brief review is given of the changing views over the years, as knowledge of wall structure has developed, concerning the mechanism whereby cellulose chains may be oriented. This leads to an examination of current concepts, particularly those concerning microtubules. It is shown that none of the mechanisms suggested whereby microtubules might cause orientation of cellulose microfibrils is consistent with the known range of molecular architectures found in plant cell walls. It is further concluded that any mechanism which necessitates an indissoluble link between the plasmalemma and the cellulose-synthesising complex at the tip of a microfibril is unacceptable. A new proposal is presented in which it is speculated that both microtubules and microfibrils are oriented by a mechanism separate from both. It is shown that if two vectors are contemplated, one parallel to cell length and one at right angles, and a sensor exists on the plasmalemma surface which responds to changes in the vectors, then all known wall structures may be explained. The possible nature of the vectors and the sensor are considered.     

Interactions of an antitumor platinum compound with deoxyribonucleic acid, histones, L-amino acids, poly-L-amino acids, nucleosides and nucleotides

Interaction of cis-dichloro(dipyridine)platinum(II) (cis-PPC) with calf thymus DNA, calf thymus histone, l-amino acids, poly-l-amino acids, nucleosides, and nucleotides has been evaluated by equilibrium dialysis technics. At least a 28 % decrease in the association of cis-PPC with DNA occurs when the platinum compound is pre-incubated with l-amino acids. The greatest decrease in association is seen upon pre-incubation of the platinum compound with the free amino acids. Glut, Asp, Lys, Arg, and CySH, before the addition of a sack containing a solution of DNA. The low level of association between DNA and the amino acids tends to rule out competition between cis-PPC and amino acids for DNA association sites. cis-PPC was repelled from sacks containing positively charged poly-l-Lys, poly-l-Arg, and calf thymus histone; however, in the presence of poly-l-Glut and poly-l-Asp, cis-PPC associated with these negatively charged polymers to a considerable degree. Enhanced chloride dissociation from cis-PPC was observed in the presence of all of the amino acids and the nucleotides GMP, CMP, UMP, and TMP, but not in the presence of AMP or the nucleosides rG and dG. In the presence of calf thymus histone, the association of cis-PPC with calf thymus DNA was reduced by more than 50% at histone/DNA ratios of 0.8–1.0.These data suggest that cis-PPC or cis-Pt(II) may associate with electron-rich areas of not only nucleic acids and proteins but also with body pools of free nucleotides and amino acids. The presence of positively charged histones shielding DNA strands in vivo suggests that the most probable point of platinum-DNA association would be at de-repressed areas of DNA which are undergoing RNA synthesis. The aquated form of the platinum complex may also associate with acidic proteins which appear to be involved in the positive control of RNA synthesis and, as a result, this interaction may be of pharmacological significance.