Effect of α-amanitin on liver non-histone chromatin proteins of starved hens

Abstract

1. 1. A diminution of RNA content in hen liver nuclei was observed after either prolonged starvation or short-term exposure to α-amanitin. 2. 2. Using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, it has been revealed a limited number of altered polypeptide bands in the gel patterns of 0.35 M NaCl- and 5 M urea-soluble non-histone proteins from liver chromatin of starved of α-amanitin-treated birds. 3. 3. The low-molecular-weight polypeptides were found to increase in the protein fractions from liver chromatin of α-amanitin-injected hens. 4. 4. Only two protein bands (48 and 79 kDa) in the gel patterns of 5 M urea-soluble chromatin fraction altered in similar manner both in starved and α-amanitin-treated animals. The amount of the 48-kDa protein decreased and that of the 79-kDa protein increased under these conditions. 5. 5. α-Amanitin seems to affect differently the non-histone chromatin proteins from starved and fed animals. The level of the 48-kDa urea-soluble protein was lower and that of the 64-kDa protein was higher in liver chromatin of starved animals receiving α-amanitin in comparison with the corresponding proteins from fed animals treated with this drug.