Chromatin-associated deoxyribonuclease activity in liver nuclei isolated from Rana catesbeiana froglets and premetamorphic and T3-induced tadpoles

Abstract

Nuclei and chromatin isolated in the presence of calcium or magnesium from Rana catesbeiana liver tissue exhibit considerable endogenous deoxyribonuclease activity. This activity is present in liver nuclei isolated from froglets as well as in liver nuclei isolated from untreated and thyroid hormone treated premetamorphic tadpoles. Nuclei and chromatin isolated in the absence of divalent cations and in the presence of spermine exhibit no detectable expression of the endogenous deoxyribonuclease activity. The endogenous deoxyribonuclease present, but not expressed, in spermine-isolated tadpole liver nuclei or chromatin is salt extractable. Once dialyzed, the salt-extracted deoxyribonuclease is activated by calcium or magnesium. This deoxyribonuclease shows maximal enzymic activity in 15 mM calcium at pH 8.0 or in 15 mM magnesium at pH 7.4. After Ca2+ activation, deoxyribonuclease activity is maximally inhibited by amounts of spermine similar to that required to completely inhibit DNase I. Destruction of the salt-extracted deoxyribonuclease activity by treatment with proteinase K or heat suggests that it is of a proteinaceous nature. The localization and nature of this enzymic activity established that it is associated with the salt-soluble proteins affiliated with tadpole and froglet liver chromatin.