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Nuclear endogenous Ca 2+ ‐dependent endodeoxyribonuclease in differentiating chick embryonic lens fibers
Author(s) -
Muel Anne S.,
Chaudun Elisabeth,
Courtois Yves,
Modak Sohan P.,
Counis Marie F.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
journal of cellular physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.529
H-Index - 174
eISSN - 1097-4652
pISSN - 0021-9541
DOI - 10.1002/jcp.1041270120
Subject(s) - divalent , lens fiber , endogeny , incubation , embryonic stem cell , lens (geology) , dna , calcium , chemistry , magnesium , cell nucleus , nucleus , biophysics , cell , agarose , fiber , cell culture , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry , biology , gene , genetics , paleontology , organic chemistry
During terminal differentiation of lens epithelial cells into fiber cells, nuclei become pycnotic and DNA degradation occurs. We investigated the putative role in this process of an endogenous DNAase. After incubation of isolated nuclei of both cell types at 37°C, DNAase activity was revealed by DNA size analysis on 0.3–1% neutral and alkaline agarose, one‐ and two‐dimensional gels. This DNAase activity is more prominent in lens fiber nuclei than in epithelial nuclei at all the embryonic stages probably because of a preexisting higher concentration of divalent cations in the former. This activity is calcium or magnesium dependent in both types of nuclei.