| Abstract: | Chromatin degradation and cell death were observed after 6-7 h incubation of mouse thymus lymphocytes with 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine and hydroxyurea. The time dynamics of both processes was similar. In this case, just as after gamma-irradiation, nucleosomes and their oligomeres were the products of degradation. Puromycin and cycloheximide prevented the toxic action of DNA synthesis inhibitors on thymocytes. It is suggested that the accretion of unrepaired DNA damages to some critical level triggers the process of the internucleosome degradation of chromatin, i.e. implements the program of lymphocyte death. |
