Studies in the cytology of Mycobacterium
III. The digestion-method of the nucleus
1955 Volume 30 Issue 2 Pages 78-82
Details
1955 Volume 30 Issue 2 Pages 78-82
The cells of Mycobacterium 607, after being cultured for 24 or 48 hours on Oka-Katakura's culture- medium, were treated with the fluid of DNase or RNase or the mixed fluid of DNase and RNase for 10min., 30min., 1h., 2h., 3h., 4h., 5h., 6h., or 7h. The action of the enzyme was stopped by drying or by treating with 1N HCl. The enzyme which was used in this research was mixed with distilled water or Veronal-Buffer (pH=7.4). The temperature at which the enzyme acted was 35-37°C in the case of DNase and 60°C in the case of RNase.
By the action of DNase, the nuclei were digested, did not stain with the aqueous solution of gentian violet and showed negative reaction to Feulgen's nucleal staining.
By the action of RNase, the form of the cell was somewhat deformed.
By the action of DNase, DNA in the nucleus seems to diffuse out into the cytoplasm.
From these results it is supported that the nucleus of Mycobacterium 607 contains DNA and is equevalent to the nucleus of the higher plant. It is also presumed that the cytoplasm of this bacterium contains RNA.
