Effect of Vitamin B12 on Nucleic Acid Metabolism of the Rat

Abstract

The amts. of desoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA) in the livers of rats fed a vit. B12-deficient diet were significantly lower per g. of fresh or of dry liver or of liver N than those for the supplemented rats. No difference was observed, however, in the amts. of RNA and DNA per cell for the deficient or supplemented rats. The amt. of nucleic acids per g. of spleen or kidney was the same for the deficient and supplemented group. Other studies indicated that the rates of incorporation of N15 glycine into the purines of RNA were lower for the deficient animals. These studies suggest that in a vit. B12 deficiency the reduced rate of nucleic acid synthesis in the liver reduced the rate of cell divisions.