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Effects of Histones on Embryonic Development

Nature volume 204, pages 1218–1219 (1964)Cite this article

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.

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

    J. BRACHET

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

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