Preparations and properties of deamino-deoxyribonucleic acid

Deoxyribonuclease I generates single-stranded gaps in chromatin deoxyribonucleic acid

Production of 10-base multiple DNA ladder fragments during DNase I digestion of chromatin is explained by a model which does not involve site-specific nicking by the DNase I. This model was tested because it explains why 10-base (actually 10.4 base) multiple-related fragments are paradoxically generated by both endonucleolytic (DNase I) and exonucleolytic (exonuclease III) mechanisms. This new model also explains the phenomenon of substantial single-stranded DNA production during DNase I digestion of chromatin. The latter phenomenon has been widely observed but is not explained by previous models. The single-stranded gap model to be presented makes testable predictions. Primarily, these are that DNase I produces single-stranded gaps in chromatin DNA and that the termini of 10-base multiple ladder fragments are separated by single-stranded gaps. Single-stranded gap production by DNase I was confirmed by a number of methods. Sensitivity of ladder band components (from DNase I but not staphylococcal nuclease digests) to S1 nuclease suggested that the ladder fragments themselves may compose a significant portion of these gaps. Separation of ladder fragment termini by single-stranded gaps was verified by demonstrating both resistance to the nick-specific NAD+-dependent ligase and sensitivity to T4 ligase which can ligate across gaps. Many single-stranded gaps, occurring both individually and clusters, were observed by electron microscopy using either cytochrome c labeling (where the gaps) are thinner than duplex) or gene 32 protein labeling (gaps thicker than duplex). Gap sizes were estimated by protecting them with gene 32 protein and digesting away unprotected duplexes. By this method, gap sizes fall into a ladder distribution (from 10 or 20 bases up to 120 bases), which, at least in the region of the shorter sizes, clearly indicates the sizes of single-stranded gaps formed in chromatin by DNase I.

A genetic and developmental analysis of an acid deoxyribonuclease in Drosophila melanogaster

A deoxyribonuclease, called D Nase-1, that is active at acid pH in the presence of EDTA has been studied in Drosophila melanogaster. The locus for the Enzyme maps genetically to 61.8 on the right arm of the third chromosome. Cytogenetically, DNase-1 has been localized to within five to ten bands between 90C-2 and 90E. This analysis utilizes both electrophoretic variants and the Y-autosome translocations of Lindsley et al. (1972). DNase-1 is present in all stages of the life cycle, and the paternal genome actively contributes DNase-1 to the ambryo between 0 and 1 hr after fertilization.

Enzymes from Micrococcus luteus involved in the initial steps of excision repair of spontaneous DNA lesions: uracil-DNA-glycosidase and apurinic-endonucleases

Uracil-DNA-glycosidase that releases free uracil from single-stranded or double-stranded deaminated DNA and poly d(A-U) has been partially purified from Micrococcus luteus. The enzyme has a molecular weight of about 16,000 and can be separated from uracil-endonuclease and endonucleases (AP-endonucleases) specific for apurinic and apyrimidinic sites. Uracil-DNA-glycosidase does not act on guanine residues opposite uracil in double-stranded DNA and on xanthine in deaminated DNA. The glycosidase generates apyrimidinic sites which can serve as substrate sites for different AP-endonucleases from M. luteus.