The Effect of Radiation on Artificial Nucleoproteins

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Abstract
An artificial nucleoprotein complex was prepared, using polyadenylic acid-polyuridylic acid and bovine gamma-globulin. When this compound received 10 to 100 rad of x-rays, alterations in the ultra-violet absorption spectrum, which were proportional to the amount of radiation absorbed, were demonstrated. The characteristic spectral changes appeared only when the complex was irradiated above the Tm when the polynucleotide component was in a randomly-coiled state. Dissociation of the complex with agents known to alter hydrogen bonding resulted in the loss of radio-sensitivity and disappearance of the spectral changes. The possible mechanisms which might produce this change are discussed, as well as the future applications of artificial nucleoproteins.