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DNA stability in the anabiotic fourth‐stage juveniles of Ditylenchus dipsaci (Nematoda)
Author(s) -
BARRETT J.,
WORTH PENELOPE E. BUTTER.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
annals of applied biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.677
H-Index - 80
eISSN - 1744-7348
pISSN - 0003-4746
DOI - 10.1111/j.1744-7348.1985.tb03101.x
Subject(s) - biology , desiccation , nematode , dna , botany , zoology , ecology , biochemistry
SUMMARY Water plays an important role in DNA structure and desiccation of microorganisms has been correlated with breaks in their DNA. The fourth‐stage juveniles of the anabiotic nematode Ditylenchus dipsaci can lose up to 90% of their body water and survive in a dehydrated state for long periods of time; however, there was no increase in the frequency of breaks in DNA isolated from anabiotic as opposed to hydrated juveniles. Desiccation of the non‐anabiotic nematode Panagrellus redivivus similarly did not lead to an increased frequency of DNA breaks, nor did the polyol glycerol significantly effect DNA stability. The stability of DNA during tissue desiccation, like the stability of proteins, seems to be a general feature of biological material and not a unique property of anabiotic organisms.