Isolation and Properties of Chicken Erythrocyte Nuclei

Abstract

(1) A method has been described for the isolation of chicken erythrocyte nuclei using saponin to lake the cells. Nuclei prepared by this method have been compared with nuclei prepared by the method of Laskowskie and with nuclei prepared by a citric acid method, particularly in regard to respiration. (2) The total lipid content of the nuclei is about 14 per cent. and the desoxyribonucleic acid content is about 45 per cent. (3) A yellow pigment contained in the nuclei appears to be xanthophyll. (4) A gel formed by the nuclei at pH 8.5 in the presence of ammonia and the absence of other cations is described.