Transcription of nucleoplasmatic and nucleolar sites of DNA sensitive to the protease inhibitor antipain
Age-related changes in the transcriptional activities of Purkinje cells chromatin and sympathetic cranial cervical ganglion under the influence of morphine and some natural and synthetic peptide compounds were found. It was shown that at different stages of the ontogenesis, morphine was capable of increasing the template activity of nucleolar and/or extranucleolar chromatin, and that this process was inhibited by antipain. The findings suggest the presence of DNA sites in the eucaryotic genome, that are induced by the protease mechanism and are likely to be similar to the SOS-genes of procaryotes. The SOS-genes of procaryotes are activated under unfavourable conditions and promote the survival of the microbial population, while in eucaryotes these genes are believed to provide the formation of definite cell populations whose composition is the most adequate for the living conditions of an adult organism.