The reassociation curve of human DNA amended

The reassociation kinetics of human DNA was studied, utilizing S1 nuclease digestion in aqueous dioxane and hydroxyapatite chromatography for isolating renatured DNA. The percentage of DNA reassociated at C0t = 10(-3) was 5--7% and that at C0t = 18 000 was about 85%, C0t being the product of the molar concentration of DNA and the reassociation period in s. The shape of the amended reassociation curve was roughly that of a rectangular hyperbola. It showed pronounced differences from the curves obtained by direct hydroxyapatite chromatography of reassociated DNA. The S1 nuclease-dioxane procedure offered two advantages over the conventional method. It was applicable to the study of reassociation with high molecular weight DNA, and the reassociated DNA so obtained was devoid of low-melting strands. The analysis of the new data took into account the possible effects of the diploid condition on the reassociation rate of DNA, the source of the DNA used in this study being placental tissue. The new reassociation profile was compared to ideal second-order reassociation curves calculated for the human genome (2.5 . 10(9) nucleotide pairs), and for a genome twice this size, containing various proportions of single-copy sequences. The results showed that approximately 85--90% of th total DNA may consist of unique sequences. This estimate is considerably higher than those reported previously.     

Transition phenomena in bacterial growth between logarithmic and stationary phases

Summary A method to calculate the age distribution of the cells in the transition phase starting from that of the cells in logarithmic phase is described. It is clarified that two transition phenomena (decrease in the growth rate of cell number and partial synchronization) in the transition phase come, mathematically, from the fact that da_g/dt > 0 (a_g = generation time).The cell age at which septum becomes observable is estimated from the age distribution of the cells and the ratio of septated cells at each time in the transition phase. The result suggests that the cell age at which septum synthesis starts increases in the transition phase and that the mode of septum synthesis changes during that phase.     

Control of logarithmic growth rates of tobacco callus tissue by cytokinins

The growth rates of tobacco callus tissues on media containing 10⁻⁶ to 10 μm 6-(γ,γ-dimethylallylamino)purine (2iP) were measured. At concentrations of 10⁻⁴ μm and above growth rates were exponential and dependent on cytokinin concentration. At 2iP concentrations of 10⁻⁴ to 0.33 μm, the exponential rate was maintained for 4 to 5 doublings of fresh and dry weight. After this period a linear phase, resulting in approximately 1 doubling of weight, occurred. The growth of tissues on media containing higher than 0.33 μm 2iP was exponential for only about 15 days. At the end of this time, and well before they achieved half their final weight, they exhibited growth which was less rapid than logarithmic but more rapid than linear. Comparisons with zeatin, 6-benzylaminopurine and kinetin indicated that, although the maximum growth rates obtained with relatively high concentrations (0.1-1 μm) were similar, the naturally occurring cytokinins, 2iP and zeatin, promoted faster rates at lower concentrations (10⁻³-10⁻² μm) than did 6-benzylaminopurine and kinetin.     

T-2 toxin decreases logarithmic growth rates of tobacco callus tissues

T-2 toxin, a mycotoxin produced by Fusarium tricinctum, decreases logarithmic growth rates of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) pith callus tissues. Toxin concentrations as low as 0.003 μm will decrease growth rates; a concentration of 0.081 μm will halt growth completely. Additional exogenous cytokinin will reduce the inhibition by toxin only when the initial cytokinin and toxin concentrations are quite low (about 0.01 μm). When inhibited tissues are transferred to media lacking toxin, they assume the faster, control rates almost immediately. Maximal yields of tissue (yields at the point at which no sugar was detected in the medium) are not affected by toxin concentrations of 0.01 to 0.036 μm.     

Changes of sensitivity to heat shock during logarithmic growth of Bacillus subtilis

The effect of heat shock on B. subtilis was found to vary within the logarithmic growth phase. Depending on the age of the culture, all cells, or as little as less than 1% of the population, may survive heating for 6 min at 54 degrees C. These characteristic changes in sensitivity to heat shock were observed with B. subtilis grown on various media, as well as with E. coli. The increased sensitivity of B. subtilis to heat shock was observed within a rather narrow time span in the log phase. Preheating at 45 degrees C had a protective effect on the samples collected at the time of greatest heat sensitivity. It is suggested that besides heat shock proteins other factors are also involved in the processes leading to survival after heat shock.     

Modification of logarithmic growth rates of tobacco callus tissue by gibberellic Acid

Logarithmic growth rates (either fresh or dry weight basis) of tobacco callus tissues grown on 10⁻⁴ to 10⁻¹ μm cytokinin are increased if gibberellic acid (10⁻³-2 μm) is incorporated into the medium. At higher (1-10 μm) cytokinin concentrations gibberellic acid has little effect on growth rate but extends the duration of logarithmic growth. The gibberellic acid effect is noticeable only after one weight doubling, is dependent on concentration, and occurs when either glucose or sucrose is used as carbon source. The gibberellic acid response includes a decrease in percentage of dry weight relative to control tissues. The maximum dry weight yield, although achieved sooner than controls, does not differ appreciably from yields of tissue not treated with gibberellic acid.