INCREASE IN RIBONUCLEIC ACID IN THE BACTERIAL CHROMATIN BODY DURING CHLORAMPHENICOL TREATMENT

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Abstract
Examination of the chromatin bodies of Bacillus megaterium and their role in ribonucleic acid (RNA) synthesis was undertaken. When cells or protoplasts are allowed to synthesize RNA in presence of chloramphenicol, RNA accumulates markedly in the chromatin body fraction prepared by 2 different techniques. Cytoplasmic RNA increase is grossly inhibited by chloramphenicol. The attachment of the RNA to the chromatin bodies was not severed by removal of the deoxyribonucleic acid with deoxyribonuclease. These studies demonstrate a metabolic difference between the bacterial chromatin body and the rest of the cell, and support the hypothesis that the chromatin body is a discrete organelle with specific functions.