Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effects of Histones on Embryonic Development

  • Letter
  • Published:

From Nature

View current issue Submit your manuscript

Abstract

I HAVE recently examined in detail the effects of actinomycin D, an inhibitor of UNA polymerase and of messenger RNA synthesis, on the development of amphibian eggs1,2. It is now known that histones also inhibit UNA polymerase3,4 and it has been suggested that they could act as the natural regulators of genetic activity5,6; by combining with specific segments of DNA molecules, they would block the production of messenger RNAs by these segments. It has been suggested7–9 that such a mechanism could account for the ‘switching on and off’ of gene activity during embryonic development. It was of interest to compare the effects of exogenous, abnormal histones on embryonic development with those of actinomycin D. The latter are quite different from those of another basic protein, ribonuclease, which quickly stops cleavage in amphibian eggs10, while actinomycin D has no effect prior to gastrulation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Brachet, J., and Denis, H., Nature, 198, 205 (1963).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Brachet, J., Denis, H., and de Vitry, F., Developmental Biol., 9, 398 (1964).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Huang, R. C., and Bonner, J., Proc. U.S. Nat. Acad. Sci., 48, 1216 (1962).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Allfrey, V. G., Littau, V. C., and Mirsky, A. E., Proc. U.S. Nat. Acad. Sci., 49, 414 (1963).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Stedman, E., and Stedman, E., Nature, 152, 556 (1943).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Leslie, I., Nature, 186, 260 (1961).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  7. Bloch, D. P., Proc. U.S. Nat. Acad. Sci., 48, 324 (1962).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Horn, E. C., P.N.A.S., 48, 257 (1962).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Moore, B. C., Proc. U.S. Nat. Acad. Sci., 50, 1018 (1963).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Brachet, J., and Ledoux, L., Expt. Cell Res., Suppl. 3, 27 (1955).

  11. Ambellan, E., Proc. U.S. Nat. Acad. Sci., 41, 428 (1955).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Wallace, H., and Elsdale, T. R., Acta Embryol. Morphol. Exp., 6, 275 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire de Morphologie animale, Faculté des Sciences, Université libre de Bruxelles,

    J. BRACHET

Authors
  1. J. BRACHET
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

BRACHET, J. Effects of Histones on Embryonic Development. Nature 204, 1218–1219 (1964). https://doi.org/10.1038/2041218b0

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/2041218b0

  • Springer Nature Limited

This article is cited by

Search

Navigation