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Carcinogen and microsomal membrane interactions: changes in membrane density and ability to bind nucleic acids.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|January 15, 1971
Summary
DNA and synthetic nucleic acids bind to cellular membranes. Carcinogenic chemicals alter this binding, affecting the nucleic acid-membrane complex detected via density gradient centrifugation.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Microsomal membranes are crucial cellular components involved in various biological processes.
- Nucleic acids, including DNA and synthetic copolymers, can interact with cellular membranes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the binding of DNA and a synthetic nucleic acid copolymer (polyribocytidylic-polyriboguanylic acid) to microsomal membranes.
- To determine if carcinogenic chemicals affect this nucleic acid-membrane interaction.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing cesium chloride density gradients to detect and analyze the nucleic acid-membrane complex.
- Comparing the density and nucleic acid association of the complex in the presence and absence of carcinogenic chemicals.
Main Results:
- DNA and polyribocytidylic-polyriboguanylic acid were shown to bind to microsomal membranes.
- The density of the nucleic acid-membrane complex was altered by carcinogenic chemicals.
- In some instances, the amount of nucleic acid bound to the membrane was also affected by these chemicals.
Conclusions:
- A specific complex forms between nucleic acids and microsomal membranes.
- Carcinogenic chemicals can modulate the properties of this nucleic acid-membrane complex, suggesting a potential mechanism of action.