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Some Biochemical Characteristics of Rat Liver and Morris Hepatoma Nuclei and Nuclear Membranes¹

Departments of Anatomy and Cell Biology [M. S., M. L. C., P. O], and Pathology,[S. L. K.], University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, and Howard University Medical Center, Washington, D. C. 20001 [H. P. M.]

Nuclei prepared from host liver and from Morris hepatomas 7777 and 7800 have been compared with respect to some of their biochemical characteristics. Several criteria were used to ensure that liver and hepatoma nuclei were of equal purity. These criteria include equal specific activity ratios (homogenate:nuclei) for several marker enzymes.

Phospholipids, proteins, and sialic acid content were compared in liver and hepatoma sucrose nuclei and in membrane and chromatin fractions obtained from liver or hepatoma nuclei.

As determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide electrophoresis, the only qualitative difference in protein that could be detected was in 2 of the 4 nuclear fractions. There was an extra band in each of the 2 hepatoma fractions. Sialic acid was increased in hepatoma nuclei. In addition, a fraction containing most of the inner nuclear membrane from liver nuclei had no sialic acid, whereas the equivalent hepatoma fraction did have sialic acid.

Total phospholipids were increased in hepatoma nuclei. This increased phospholipid concentration in hepatoma nuclei as compared to liver nuclei was apparent with sucrose nuclei, citric acid nuclei, membrane-denuded nuclei, chromatin, and nuclear fractions. Determination of the percentages of individual phospholipids making up the total phospholipids extracted revealed that the only significant change in the phospholipid composition of hepatoma nuclei was an increase in sphingomyelin. A large amount of this sphingomyelin was found to be associated with chromatin. The possible significance of chromatin-associated phospholipids is discussed.

¹ Supported by NIH Grant RO1 CA11637.

Received 2/21/75. Accepted 8/ 7/75.

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