Liver Nucleoproteins in Vitamin B 12 Deficiency. ∗

Abstract

Summary

Cytochemical studies on liver tissue from rats fed vit. B₁₂-dencient or supplemented diets for 6 weeks have indicated the following: (1) Total protein showed no change in concentration, but a marked increase in amount per cell, correlated with significant increases in mean cytoplasmic volume for livers of deficient animals. (2) RNA, determined with Azure B binding at pH 4.0, showed a decrease in concentration, but an increase in amount per cell. (3) DNA, determined photometrically on Feulgen-stained nuclei was unchanged in amounts per single tetraploid nucleus when compared with B₁₂-supplemented controls. (4) The average amount of DNA per nucleus, when calculated from data on polyploid class frequencies, averaged 6% less than controls, associated with a higher frequency of diploid nuclei.