INOSITOL AND THE PROTECTION OF CELLS: I. THE RELEASE OF NUCLEIC ACIDS AND VIRUSES FROM BACTERIAL AND MAMMALIAN CELLS

Abstract

The effect has been studied of inositol on the release of nucleic acids from bacterial cells dried at different relative humidities (R.H.) and from animal cells suspended in inositol solutions. Drying at 60% R.H. or above, or treatment with inositol brings about the release of RNA and active virus, but otherwise does not affect the cell. The release of this nucleic acid appears to enable the cell to withstand adverse drying conditions and it is suggested that cell death results from a malfunction in the activity of specific enzymes concerned in RNA synthesis. Some applications of the findings with respect to the problems of virus spread and tumor formation are discussed.