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Uptake and incorporation of pyrimidines in Euglena gracilis

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Abstract

In photoorganotrophically grown cells of Euglena gracilis the uptake and incorporation degree of 12 different pyrimidines were tested. The rate of uptake of pyrimidines has distinct maxima in the late log phase and in the stationary phase of cell multiplication. The kinetics of uptake are linear in the first 2 h, do not show saturation at various concentrations and increase with the concentrations. No accumulation of the pyrimidines at various concentrations could be observed in the first 2 h of incubation. Membrane inhibitors as uranyl acetate inhibit the uptake of the reference substance α-AIB, which is wellknown transported by an active transport mechanism, but have no effect on uptake rate of uracil and cytosine. It could not be observed an energy requirement tested in temperature dependence and with electron transport inhibitors. Uptake of uridine, uracil, barbituric acid and α-AIB is inhibited by cycloheximide in a different manner after 5–10 min.

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Abbreviations

Barb:

barbituric acid

5-BrU:

5-bromouracil

Cyd:

cytidine

Cyt:

cytosine

DHU:

dihydrouracil

dUrd:

deoxyuridine

dThd:

thymidine

5-FU:

5-fluorouracil

Ora:

orotic acid

Thy:

thymidine

Ura:

uracil

Urd:

uridine

CHI:

cycloheximide

α-AIB:

α-aminoisobutyric acid

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry, Section of Biological Sciences, University of Halle, Neuwerk 1, DDR-402, Halle/Saale, German Democratic Republic

    Claus H. Wasternack

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  1. Claus H. Wasternack
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Dedicated to Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. K. Mothes on the occasion of his 75th birthday

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Wasternack, C.H. Uptake and incorporation of pyrimidines in Euglena gracilis . Arch. Microbiol. 109, 167–174 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00425131

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