The Effects of Conditions of Homogenization on the Contents of Nuclei Isolated From Rat Liver

Abstract

The problem. To determine the effects of degree of homogenization, on DNA, RNA, and protein content of nuclei isolated from rat liver. The procedure. Rat liver cells were broken with a Dounce homogenizer using variable numbers of strokes from 05 to 40. Nuclei were isolated, counted, measured and analyzed for nucleic acid and protein contents. Finding. It was found that the amount of homogenization had a very little effect on the contents of the isolated nuclei. Conclusion. Further homogenization has no effect on protein content of isolated nuclei. All of the protein must be leached out of the nuclei immediately. Nucleic acid content does not decrease as nuclear counts decrease thus fragmented nuclei are sedimented during the isolation process. Recommendations. The conditions of rehomogenization could be varied to determine the effects on protein and nucleic acid content. It is also recommended the forces of sedimentation be varied to further study the fragmented of invisible nuclei.