Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Nuclei

  • Chapter
Handbook of Neurochemistry

Abstract

The elucidation of the mechanism of gene action has focused interest on the biochemical processes in the cell nucleus with emphasis on the control of protein synthesis. Nuclei have been isolated from liver, thymus, HeLa cells, and ascites tumors, among others, because these tissues consist mainly of homogeneous cells that are easily disrupted and permit isolation of intact nuclei in good yields. These techniques recently have been reviewed.(1) Attempts to isolate nuclei from the central nervous system by these methods have been only partially successful since neurons and glia yield a mixture of the various cell nuclei usually contaminated with fragments of dendrites, axons, and myelin. Only recently have adequate methods been described for the isolation of uncontaminated brain nuclei.(2–8) Consequently, the bulk of the existing information on the biochemistry of cell nuclei is from tissue other than the CNS, and the present summary is based on the thesis that, until specific and reliable biochemical data on brain nuclei become available, nuclei from all tissues are closely similar.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. G. Siebert, in Methods in Cancer Research (H. Busch, ed.), Vol. 11, pp. 287–301, Academic Press, New York (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  2. P. Mandel, T. Borkowki, S. Harth, and R. Mardell, Incorporation of 32P in ribonucleic acid of subcellular fractions of various regions of the rat central nervous system, J. Neurochem. 8: 126–138 (1961).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. G. Siebert, Enzyme und substrate der glykolse in isolierten zellkernen, Biochem. Z. 334: 369–387 (1961).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. M. Sporn, T. Wanko, and W. Dingman, The isolation of cell nuclei from rat brain, J. Cell Biol. 15: 109–120 (1962).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  5. D. A. Rappoport, R. R. Fritz; and A. Moraczewski, Biochemistry of the developing rat brain, I. Soluble enzymes in isolated neonatal brain nuclei, Biochim. Biophys. Acta 74: 42–50 (1963).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. A. A. Hadjiolov, Z. S. Tencheva, and A. G. Bojadjieva-Mikhailova, Isolation and some characteristics of cell nuclei from brain cortex of adult cat, J. Cell Biol. 26: 383–393 (1965).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  7. H. Levtrup-Rein and B. S. McEwen, Isolation and fractionation of rat brain nuclei, J. Cell Biol. 30: 405–416 (1966).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. T. Kato and M. Kurokawa, Isolation of cell nuclei from the mammalian cerebral cortex and their assortment on a morphological basis, J. Cell Biol. 32: 649–662 (1967).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  9. J. D. Schadé and D. H. Ford, Basic Neurology, American Elsevier, New York (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  10. C. Estable, W. Bernhard, J. Gall, R. Perry, J. Sirlin, and H. Swift, in International Symposium on the Nucleolus, Its Structure and Function (W. S. Vincent and O. L. Miller, Eds.), Monograph 23, pp. 573–574, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  11. U. Karlsson, Three-dimensional studies of neurons in the lateral geniculate nucleus of the rat, I. Organelle organization in the perikaryon and its proximal branches, J. Ultrastruct. Res. 16: 429–481 (1966).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. D. W. Fawcett, An Atlas of Fine Structure, The Cell, Its Organelles and Inclusions, W. B. Saunders, Philadelphia (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  13. W. Bernhard, in International Symposium on the Nucleolus, Its Structure and Function (W. S. Vincent and O. L. Miller, Eds.), Monograph 23, pp. 13–38, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  14. H. Ris and B. L. Chandler, in Cold Spring Harbor Symposium on Quantitative Biology (L. Frisch, ed.), Vol. 28, pp 1–9, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory of Quantitative Biology, Cold Spring Harbor (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  15. W. Niklowitz, On the submicroscopic structure of the cell nucleus of the Ehrlich ascites carcinoma of the white mouse, Z. Naturforsch. 136: 454–456 (1958).

    Google Scholar 

  16. E. Heitz, Heterochromatin, chromocentren, chromomercen, Ber. Bent. Bot. Ges. 47: 274–284 (1929).

    Google Scholar 

  17. V. C. Littau, V. G. Allfrey, J. H. Frenster, and A. E. Mirsky, Active and inactive regions of nuclear chromatin as revealed by electron microscope autoradiography, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S. 52: 93–100 (1964).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. K. W. Cooper, Cytogenetic analysis of major heterchromatic elements (especially XL and Y) in Drosophilia melanogaster, and the theory of “Heterochromatin,” Chromosoma (Berlin) 10: 535–588 (1959).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. J. H. Frenster, in The Chromosome: Structural and Functional Aspects (C. J. Dawc, ed.), Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  20. J. H. Frenster, in The Cell Nucleus-Metabolism and Radiosensitivity, pp. 27–46, Taylor and Francis, London (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  21. E. Harbers and M. Vogt, in The Cell Nucleus-Metabolism and Radiosensitivity, pp. 165–172, Taylor and Francis, London (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  22. J. H. Frenster, V. G. Allfrey, and A. E. Mirsky, Repressed and active chromatin isolated from interphase lymphocytes, Proc. Nall. Acad. Sci. U.S. 50: 1026–1032 (1963).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. I. B. Zbarsky and G. P. Georgiev, New data on the fractionation of cell nuclei of rat livers and the chemical composition of nuclear structures, Biokhimiya 24: 192–200 (1959).

    Google Scholar 

  24. G. P. Georgiev, in Progress in Nucleic Acid Research (J. N. Davidson and W. E. Cohn, Eds.), Vol. 6, pp. 259–351, Academic Press, New York (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  25. M. Muramatsu and H. Busch, in Methods of Cancer Research (H. Busch, ed.), Vol. 11, pp. 303–359, Academic Press, New York (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  26. H. Busch, R. Desjardins, D. Grogan, K. Higashi, S. T. Jacob, M. Muramatsu, T. S. Ro, and W. J. Steele, in International Symposium on the Nucleolus, Its Structure and Function (W. S. Vincent and O. L. Miller, Eds.), Monograph 23, pp. 193–212, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  27. R. P. Perry, The cellular sites of synthesis of ribosomal and 4 S RNA, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S. 48: 2179–2186 (1962).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. M. Muramatsu, J. L. Hodnett, and H. Busch, in The Cell Nucleus, Metabolism and Radio-sensitivity, pp. 221–229, Taylor and Francis, London (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  29. R. P. Perry, in Progress in Nucleic Acid Research (J. W. Davidson and W. E. Cohn, Eds.), Vol. 6, pp. 219–257, Academic Press, New York (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  30. M. Yoshikawa-Fukada, T. Fukada, and Y. Kawade, Characterization of rapidly labelled ribonucleic acid of animal cells in culture, Biochim. Biophys. Acta 103: 383–398 (1965).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. O. D. Samarino, A. A. Krichevskaya, and G. P. Georgiev, Nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles containing messenger ribonucleic acid, Nature 210: 1319–1322 (1966).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. J. L. Sirlin, in The Cell Nucleus, Metabolism and Radiosensitivity, pp. 87–95, Taylor and Francis, London (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  33. L. N. Simon, A. J. Glasky, and T. H. Rejal, Enzymes in the central nervous system, I. RNA methylase, Biochim. Biophys. Acta 142: 99–104 (1967).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. P. S. Woods and G. Zubay, Biochemical and autoradiographie studies of different RNAs. Evidence that transfer RNA is chromosomal in origin, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S. 54: 1705–1712 (1965).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. G. Siebert and G. B. Humphrey, in Advances in Enzymology (F. F. Nord, ed.), Vol. 27, pp. 239–288, Interscience, New York (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  36. L. G. Abood, R. W. Gerard, J. Banks, and R. D. Tschirgi, Substrate and enzyme distribution in cells and cell fractions of the nervous system, Am. J. Physiol. 168: 728–738 (1952).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. G. Siebert, K. H. Bässler, R. Hannover, E. Adloff, and R. Beyer, Enzymaktiväten in isolierten zellkernen in abhängigkeit von der mitotischen activität, Biochem. Z. 334: 388–400 (1961).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. T. E. Conover and G. Siebert, On the occurrence of respiratory components in rat liver nuclei, Biochim. Biophys. Acta 99: 1–12 (1965).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. I. Betal and H. M. Klouwen, in The Cell Nucleus, Metabolism and Radiosensitivity, pp. 281–291, Taylor and Francis, London (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  40. S. H. Barondes, Studies with RNA polymerase from brain, J. Neurochem. 11: 663–669 (1964).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. S. C. Bondy and H. Waelsch, Nuclear RNA polymerase in brain and liver, J. Neurochem. 12: 751–756 (1965).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. R. R. Fritz, S. Furusawa, and D. A. Rappoport, in preparation.

    Google Scholar 

  43. M. R._ V. Murthy and A. Bharucha, DNA polymerase of rat brain, Seventh International Congress of Biochemistry (Tokyo) Abstracts, B-183, p. 662 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  44. P. Mandel, A. R. Dravid, and N. Pete, Poly C synthetase activity in the particulate fraction of rat brain nuclei, J. Neurochem. 14: 301–306 (1967).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. T. Y. Wang, in The Cell Nucleus, Metabolism and Radiosensitivity, pp. 243–257, Taylor and Francis, London (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  46. R. Maggio, in International Symposium on the Nucleolus, Its Structure and Function (W. S. Vincent and O. L. Miller, Eds.), Monograph 23, pp. 213–219, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  47. G. Siebert, Enzymes of cancer nuclei, Exptl. Cell Res. Suppl. 9: 389–417 (1963).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. H. Koenig, D. Gaines, T. McDonald, R. Gray, and J. Scott, Studies of brain lysosomes, I. Subcellular distribution of five acid hydrolases, succinic dehydrogenase and gangliosides in rat brain, J. Neurochem. 11: 729–743 (1964).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. J. Mordoh, Subcellular distribution of acid phosphatase and ß-glucuronidase activities in rat brain, J. Neurochem. 12: 505–514 (1966).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. P.L. McGeer, S. P. Bajehi, and E. G. McGeer, Subcellular localization of tyrosine hydroxylase in beef caudate nucleus, Life Sci. 4: 1859–1867 (1965).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. E. DeRobertis, G. R. DeLores Arnaiz, M. Alberici, R. W. Butcher, and E. W. Sutherland, Subcellular distribution of adenyl cyclase and cyclic phosphodiesterase in rat brain cortex, J. Biol. Chem. 242: 3487–3493 (1967).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. N. Waked and S. Kerr, The distribution of phosphomonesterases and pyrophosphatase in the particulate fractions of dog cerebrum, J. Histochem. Cytochem. 3: 75–84 (1955).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. M. Kurokawa, T. Kato, and H. Inamura, Unequal distribution of ATP:NMN adenyltransferase activity among neuronal and glial cell nuclei, Proc. Japan Acad. 42: 1217–1222 (1966).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. R. Maggio, P. Siekevitz, and G. E. Palade, Studies on isolated nuclei, I. Isolation and chemical characterization of a nuclear fraction from guinea pig liver, J. Cell Biol. 18: 267–291 (1963).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  55. G. Blobel and V. R. Potter, Nuclei from rat liver: Isolation method that combines purity with high yield, Science 154: 1662–1665 (1966).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. S. Harth, R. Mardell, T. Borkowski, and P. Mandel, Etude comparee de l’incorporation du 32P et de]’adenine-8–14C dans les fractions subcellulaires des diverse zones du Systeme nerveux central, J. de Physiologie 53: 362–363 (1961).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  57. R. S. Piha, M. Cuenod, and H. Waelsch, in Protides of the Biological Fluids (H. Peeters, ed.), Vol. 13, pp. 145–150, Elsevier, Amsterdam (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  58. T. Borkowski, H. Barbec, and H. Brzuszkiewicz, Changes in chemical composition of isolated rat brain and liver nuclei, Acta Biochim. Polon. 12: 143–149 (1965).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. J. Chauveau, Y. Moule, and C. H. Rouiller, Isolation of pure and unaltered liver nuclei, morphology and biochemical composition, Exptl. Cell Res. 11: 317–321 (1956).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  60. H. Hydén, in Recent Advances in Biological Psychiatry (J. Wortis, ed.), Vol. 6, pp. 31–53, Plenum Press, New York (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  61. H. Hydén, in Recent Progress in Nucleic Acid Research (J. N. Davidson and W. E. Cohn, Eds.), Vol. 6, pp. 187–218, Academic Press, New York (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  62. J.-E. Edström and H. Hydén, Ribonucleotide analysis of individual nerve cells, Nature 174: 128–129 (1954).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  63. J.-E. Edström, in Methods in Cell Physiology (D. M. Prescott, ed.), Vol. 1, pp. 417–447, Academic Press, New York (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  64. H. Hydén and E. Egyhâzi, Changes in RNA content and base composition in cortical neurons of rats in a learning experiment involving transfer of handedness, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S. 52: 1030–1035 (1964).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  65. S. P. R. Rose, Preparation of enriched fractions from cerebral cortex containing isolated, metabolically active neuronal and glial cells, Biochem. J. 102: 33–43 (1967).

    PubMed  CAS  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  66. M. Satake and S. Abe, Preparation and characterization of nerve cell perikaryon from rat cerebral cortex, J. Biochem. (Tokyo) 59: 72–75 (1966).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  67. M. Satake, personal communication.

    Google Scholar 

  68. G. P. Georgiev, L. D. Ermolaeva, and I. B. Zbarski, The quantitative relations between protein and nucleoprotein fractions of various tissues, Biokhimiya 25: 318–322 (1960).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  69. K. Marushige and J. Bonner, Template properties of liver chromatin, J. Mol. Biol. 15: 160–174 (1966).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  70. D. I. Kurtz and F. M. Sinex, Age related differences in the association of brain DNA and nuclear protein, Biochim. Biophys. Acta 145: 840–842 (1967).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  71. C. W. Dingman and M. B. Sporn, Studies on chromatin, I. Isolation and characterization of nuclear complexes of deoxyribonucleic acid, ribonucleic acid, and protein from embryonic and adult tissues of the chicken, J. Biol. Chem. 239: 3483–3492 (1964).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  72. M. Muramatsu and H. Busch, Studies on the nuclear and nucleolar ribonucleic acid of regenerating rat liver, J. Biol. Chem. 240: 3960–3966 (1965).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  73. H. Daginawala, “Changes in brain nuclear RNA with olfactory stimulation,” Ph. D. thesis, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, 1967.

    Google Scholar 

  74. L. Casola and B. W. Agranoff, Studies on RNA in goldfish brain, I. Isolation and labeling, Brain Res. 10: 227–238 (1968).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA

    D. A. Rappoport, P. Maxcy Jr. & H. F. Daginawala

Authors
  1. D. A. Rappoport
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. P. Maxcy Jr.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. H. F. Daginawala
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. New York State Research Institute for Neurochemistry and Drug Addiction, Ward’s Island, New York, New York, USA

    Abel Lajtha

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1969 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Rappoport, D.A., Maxcy, P., Daginawala, H.F. (1969). Nuclei. In: Lajtha, A. (eds) Handbook of Neurochemistry. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-7321-4_11

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-7321-4_11

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4899-7301-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4899-7321-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation