Nucleotides and coenzymes in nuclei isolated from rat liver

In rat-liver nuclei, isolated by the non-aqueous technique, the concentrations and labelling rates of the purine moiety of acid-soluble nucleotides were determined and compared with corresponding data for non-fractionated tissue and nuclei-free cytoplasm. Livers were used from untreated rats, from rats with a highly stimulated synthesis of NAD and from rats following a heavy metabolic load with adenosine. Under all circumstances, the nuclear and cytoplasmic concentrations of nucleotides (e.g. ATP and its dephosphorylated forms, pyridine nucleotides) and of free glucose were practically identical. Specific radioactivities after a pulse with formate also indicated a nucleo-cytoplasmic equilibrium for purine-containing nucleotides. It is concluded that precursor pools for nuclear biosyntheses as well as energy supply for other nuclear activities may be determined by an analysis of the non-fractionated tissue.