Video time-lapse microscopy of human laryngeal carcinomas in vitro

Twelve human laryngeal carcinomas and 14 normal vocal cord epithelia were studied in vitro by the method of tissue culture incorporating video time-lapse microscopy. Different events were photographed by taking 'stills' from the television monitor during play-back. Outgrowths from both tumour and normal explants formed only as monolayers. Mitoses were mainly found to be localized approximately mid-way between explant and the edge of the outgrowth. Some cells were seen to become suddenly active producing oscillating blebs and sometimes they detached themselves from the monolayer culture and changed appearance. This was more prevalent in the tumour cultures. In both tumour and normal cell cultures lymphocytes were observed and their normal chemokinetic movement was changed into a rapid chemotactic attraction by the presence of a mitotic epithelial cell. These lymphocytes appear to represent T-suppressor cells. The present study has shown that primary tissue culture can be a valuable tool in the study of laryngeal carcinoma. The interaction between mitotic tumour cells and lymphocytes may represent a transformation of T-lymphocytes into LAK cells.

2-Cyanocinnamic acid sensitization of L929 cells to killing by hyperthermia

Exposure of L929 cells to hyperthermia in the presence of 2-cyanocinnamic acid, an inhibitor of mitochondrial pyruvate transport, markedly enhanced killing at temperatures as low as 41 degrees C. The inhibitor also reduced the oxidation of both glucose and exogenous pyruvate while increasing lactate production from glucose but not from pyruvate. These results are consistent with previous observations that glucose and pyruvate enhance survival after hyperthermia and point to a role for pyruvate in protecting against hyperthermic cytotoxicity. Heat shock protein synthesis was also inhibited by 2-cyanocinnamic acid under some conditions, suggesting that a function of pyruvate may also be involved in heat shock protein induction.

Spectroelectrochemical study of cytochrome c oxidase: pH and temperature dependences of the cytochrome potentials. Characterization of site-site interactions

The cytochrome a and a3 sites in uninhibited, detergent-solubilized cytochrome c oxidase have been studied under a wide range of conditions using thin-layer spectroelectrochemistry. The observed absorbance changes at the alpha and Soret absorbance maxima have been used together to estimate the extents of reduction of cytochromes a and a3, using the absorbance properties of these cytochromes deduced from previous measurements employing ligand inhibition of cytochrome a3. The resulting Nernst plots, combined with the results of parallel studies on the carbon monoxide-inhibited enzyme (Ellis, W. R., Jr., Wang, H., Blair, D. F., Gray, H. B., and Chan, S. I. (1986) Biochemistry 25, 161-167; Wang, H., Blair, D. F., Ellis, W. R., Jr., Gray, H. B., and Chan, S. I. (1986) Biochemistry 25, 167-171), indicate that the cytochrome a site participates in anticooperative thermodynamic interactions which involve all three of the other metal sites in the protein. Using an analysis which resolves the intrinsic thermodynamic properties of the cytochromes from the effects of the intersite interactions, the pH, temperature, and ionic strength dependences of the cytochrome reduction potentials have been measured. The standard entropy of reduction of cytochrome a in the native enzyme is large and negative, in agreement with measurements on the carbon monoxide-inhibited enzyme. The reduction potential of cytochrome a is only moderately (less than -30 mV/pH unit) dependent upon pH, which implies that its reduction is linked to the uptake, on the average, of only about 0.5 protons at pH 7.0, and significantly less at the higher pH values relevant to the mitochondrial matrix. The thermodynamic properties of cytochrome a3 were found to be different in the two enzyme batches studied: in one batch, the cytochrome a3 reduction potential decreased steeply (about -56 mV/pH unit) with increasing pH, indicating stoichiometric (1 H+/e-) coupling of protonation to reduction. In the other batch, the cytochrome a3 potential was insensitive to pH below pH 7.5 and decreased at higher pH values in a manner suggesting coupling to an ionizable group with pKa near 7.8. The temperature dependence of the cytochrome a3 reduction potential indicates that its standard entropy of reduction is more positive than that of myoglobin, another high-spin metalloprotein heme, and significantly more positive than that of cytochrome a.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Control of transcription initiation in vitro requires binding of a transcription factor to the distal promoter of the ovalbumin gene

We used a cell-free HeLa cell transcription system to identify and characterize transcription factors and the promoter elements that they recognize in RNA polymerase II-transcribed genes. Deletion of the region (-71 to -83) containing the GTCAAA direct repeat resulted in a marked decrease of specific transcription of the ovalbumin gene; transcription could be competed with DNA fragments containing this sequence. Furthermore, DNase I footprinting identified a protein-binding site including this direct repeat with crude extracts and one of the partially purified protein fractions required for transcription. We propose that a soluble factor activates transcription through binding to the direct repeat of GTCAAA sequence upstream from the ovalbumin gene.

Resistance to adriamycin: relationship of cytotoxicity to drug uptake and DNA single- and double-strand breakage in cloned cell lines of adriamycin-sensitive and -resistant P388 leukemia

Cloned lines of Adriamycin (ADR)-sensitive and -resistant P388 leukemia have been established from single cell cultures. A marker chromosome M1 was found in all cells in the heterogeneous resistant P388/ADR parental line as well as in the cloned resistant lines P388/ADR/3 and P388/ADR/7; a different marker chromosome M2 was present in the heterogeneous sensitive P388 parental line as well as the cloned sensitive line P388/4. Dose-survival studies showed that D0, the dose of Adriamycin reducing survival to 1/e (i.e., 37% of the initial population), was 33 +/- 5 (SE) nM for sensitive P388/4 cells, 169 +/- 17 nM for resistant P388/ADR/3 cells, and 336 +/- 28 nM for the more resistant P388/ADR/7 cells. Drug uptake in sensitive P388/4 cells was 1.6-fold greater than in resistant P388/ADR/3 cells and 2.1-fold greater than in resistant P388/ADR/7 cells. The number of DNA single-strand breaks produced per microM Adriamycin was 131 +/- 9 rad equivalents in sensitive clone 4 cells, 41 +/- 8 rad equivalents in resistant clone 3 cells, and 33 +/- 11 rad equivalents in resistant clone 7 cells. The number of DNA double-strand breaks per microM Adriamycin was 1721 +/- 126 rad equivalents in sensitive cells, 117 +/- 36 rad equivalents in resistant P388/ADR/3 cells, and 194 +/- 16 rad equivalents in resistant P388/ADR/7 cells. Differences in drug uptake were insufficient to explain the higher incidence of DNA single- and double-strand breaks in sensitive cells. These findings strongly support the concept that resistance to Adriamycin in P388 leukemia cells is multifactorial; however, this study did not resolve whether these changes arise from a single pleiotropic mutation or from multiple mutations. In sensitive P388/4 cells the number of DNA single-strand breaks formed could all be attributed to double-strand breaks. However, in both resistant cell lines the level of induction of single-strand breaks was in excess of that due to double-strand breaks, and this excess of single-strand breaks appeared to vary directly with the degree of resistance, being greater in the more resistant clone 7 cells than in the less resistant clone 3 cells. In both sensitive and resistant cell lines the ratio of true single- to double-strand breaks varied inversely with the concentration of Adriamycin. Finally, the cytotoxic activity of Adriamycin appeared to correlate more closely with formation of DNA double-strand breaks than with single-strand lesions.

Morphologic changes in primary neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin following radiation therapy

A case of primary neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin (NECS) treated by radiation therapy is reported. Biopsy prior to irradiation showed a tumor with the characteristic light microscopic, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural features of NECS. Following external beam irradiation, 6,000 rad, the size of the lesion decreased markedly. Examination of the excised residual mass revealed dense fibrous connective tissue with entrapped nests of large tumor cells that differed markedly from those in the previous biopsy specimen. The neoplastic cells in the excised mass had abundant, vacuolated, eosinophilic cytoplasm and pleomorphic nuclei. In spite of these marked morphologic alterations, the original immunohistochemical phenotype was retained. These observations suggest that radiation may induce profound histologic changes in NECS.

Spectroelectrochemical study of the cytochrome a site in carbon monoxide inhibited cytochrome c oxidase

The reduction potential of the cytochrome a site in the carbon monoxide derivative of beef heart cytochrome c oxidase has been studied under a variety of conditions by thin-layer spectroelectrochemistry. The reduction potential exhibits no ionic strength dependence and only a 9 mV/pH unit dependence between pH 6.5 and 8.5. The weak pH dependence indicates that protonation of the protein is not stoichiometrically linked to oxidoreduction over the pH range examined. The temperature dependence of the reduction potential implies a relatively large standard entropy of reduction of cytochrome a. The measured thermodynamic parameters for reduction of cyctochrome a are (all relative to the normal hydrogen electrode) delta Go'(25 degrees C) = -6.37 kcal mol-1, delta Ho' = -21.5 kcal mol-1, and delta So' = -50.8 eu. When cytochrome c is bound to the oxidase, the reduction potential of cytochrome a and its temperature dependence are not measurably affected. Under all conditions studied, the cytochrome a site did not exhibit simple Nernstian n = 1 behavior. The titration behavior of the site is consistent with a moderately strong anticooperative interaction between cytochrome a and CuA [Wang, H., Blair, D. F., Ellis, W. R., Jr., Gray, H. B., & Chan, S. I. (1985) Biochemistry (following paper in this issue)].

Temperature dependence of the reduction potential of CuA in carbon monoxide inhibited cytochrome c oxidase

The temperature dependence of the reduction potential of the CuA site in carbon monoxide inhibited cytochrome c oxidase has been measured with a spectroelectrochemical method adapted to the relatively weak near-infrared absorption of this copper ion. These measurements, together with parallel measurements on the 604-nm absorption due to Fea, indicate that an interaction between CuA and Fea causes the reduction potential for one of these sites to be decreased by approximately 40 mV upon reduction of the other. The temperature dependence of the CuA reduction potential indicates a relatively large and negative standard entropy of reduction of CuA (delta So' = -48.7 +/- 2.3 eu). Possible implications of the intersite redox interaction and the large standard entropy of reduction of the CuA site are discussed.

Computed tomography of dural sinus thrombosis

The four patients presented here demonstrate the value of contrast enhanced CT in the diagnosis and serial evaluation of dural sinus thrombosis. Two patients were young women using oral contraceptives; another patient had lateral sinus thrombosis complicating mastoiditis; a fourth patient developed superior sagittal sinus thrombosis following hip surgery. Improvements in CT diagnosis, including the use of thin sections for evaluation of the deep venous structures and lateral sinuses complemented by multiplanar reconstruction or direct coronal scanning, are discussed. Sequential scans for following the progress of two patients treated by barbiturate coma added to the understanding of dural sinus occlusive disease.

CT myelography for outpatients. An inpatient/outpatient pilot study to assess methodology

The diagnostic usefulness, limitations, and adverse reactions associated with computed tomographic myelography using metrizamide were assessed for broad outpatient application. The initial approach was to examine inpatients (n = 38) with low-dose metrizamide (100 mgI/ml). This low dose was believed less likely to be associated with side effects. They were then treated as if they were outpatients, with the liberties this entailed. The consequences of needle puncture were minimized by using a 25-gauge disposable needle. Thirty-four (89%) patients remained free of side effects after the procedure. Subsequently, this technique was extended to 42 outpatients, 38 (90.5%) of whom remained asymptomatic. For comparison, 170 mgI/ml was used in another 25 outpatients, who evidenced more symptoms. The potential medical, economic, and therapeutic benefits of obviating hospitalization by safer outpatient CT myelography seem clear.

The use of computed tomography of the spine to identify patients at high risk for epidural metastases

The usefulness of spinal computed tomography (CT) in predicting the presence of epidural tumor was evaluated in cancer patients undergoing CT myelography for suspected epidural tumor. Two hundred ninety two vertebral levels were evaluated in 30 patients. Spinal CT demonstrated cortical disruption surrounding the epidural space from metastatic cancer in 109 vertebrae. Eighty-five (78%) of these vertebral levels had tumor extension into the adjacent epidural space. The incidence of epidural tumor adjacent to vertebrae which had normal spinal CT or metastatic tumor without cortical disruption was 11%. Eighty-six percent of the epidural tumor adjacent to these vertebrae were a result of craniocaudal tumor extension in the epidural space from adjacent vertebral levels with cortical disruption. Twenty-one of 23 patients (91%) with cortical disruption at more than one vertebral level on spinal CT had epidural tumor. Synchronous noncontiguous epidural lesions were observed in 38% of patients with epidural tumor. Spinal CT is an important diagnostic test in determining which patients are at high risk for epidural tumor. Myelography should be performed in all patients with suspected epidural tumor to accurately define the full extent of tumor.

A study of dynamic development in radiolesion and cell death of eukaryotes after exposure to ionizing radiation--the visualization of the dynamic reaction by means of cytochemical method with lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) as a nuclear marker and radiation-induced nuclear anomalization by an ultramicrostructural manifestation: a dynamic explanation

The present work deals with the radiation effect on adult rats suffering from acute, whole-body irradiation with cobalt-60 gamma rays of dosages 100R and 300R respectively. The morphological alteration of the lymphocytic nucleus and exhibition of cytochemical reaction of LDH in intra- or extra-nuclear region has been observed at the end of predetermined time intervals after irradiation. A close relationship between the percentage of damage of the lymphocytic nucleus and that of positivity of LDH reaction is seen from their variations with time parallel. From technical color microphotographs which exhibit cytochemical reactions, the existence of enzyme LDH in the nucleus so far obscure has been visually recognized. The events happening in enzymic reaction and the leakage of enzyme across the nuclear envelope reflect the dynamic nature. The ultrastructural alteration of nuclear anomalization confirms the dynamic development of inducing radiolesion. The experimental facts inspire us to attempt an explanation of cellular radiolesion and cell death owing to ionization radiation in light of the dynamic concept.

Treatment of viral myocarditis with ribavirin in an animal preparation

The therapeutic effects of ribavirin, a broad-spectrum, antiviral agent, on experimental myocarditis caused by encephalomyocarditis (EMC) virus were investigated. Four-week-old DBA/2 mice were inoculated with 10 plaque-forming units (pfu) of EMC virus. Ribavirin in a dose of 100 (group 1, n = 20), 200 (group 2, n = 10), or 400 mg/kg/day (group 3, n = 10) was administered subcutaneously on days 0 to 12 after virus inoculation, and animals were observed for 12 days. Control animals were injected with saline (n = 20). Mice treated with ribavirin survived longer than controls (mean survival 6.7 days for group 1, 7.4 days for group 2, 7.7 days for group 3, and 5.2 days for control; p less than .005). Myocardial virus titers on days 6 to 8 were significantly lower in group 2 (3.24 +/- 0.49 log10pfu/mg; p less than .005) and in group 3 (1.70 +/- 0.65 log10 pfu/mg; p less than .001) compared with controls (4.09 +/- 0.57 log10 pfu/mg). The incidence of gross myocardial lesions was significantly lower in group 1 (13/20, 65%), group 2 (2/10, 20%), and group 3 (0/20, 0%) compared with controls (20/20, 100%) (p less than .05). Histologic examination showed extensive myocardial necrosis and cellular infiltration in untreated groups; there was less infiltration in groups 2 and 3 (p less than .01) and less severe necrosis in group 3 (p less than .01). Thus ribavirin effectively inhibited myocardial virus replication and reduced the inflammatory response and myocardial damage in an experimental preparation of viral myocarditis.

Sodium preference and excretion in spontaneously hypertensive rats on various diets

Stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) and stroke-resistant SHR (SHRSR) exhibited an increased preference for a 2% NaCl solution, relative to water, in comparison with normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY), but the preference was lost quickly in SHRSP with unbroken exposure. Neither a high protein diet (50% fish protein) nor a low protein diet (5% protein) changed the salt water preference in SHRSR and the former abolished the preference more quickly in SHRSP. The fish protein diet, however, increased the ratio of urinary sodium excretion to dietary sodium intake in the first three days of exposure to a high salt intake in all groups. Results from this experiment suggest that an increased dietary protein intake can facilitate sodium excretion and may possibly ameliorate the adverse effect of a high sodium diet.

Cerebellopontine angle lipoma

Lipomas rarely occur intracranially. Moreover, the cerebellopontine angle is one of the more unusual sites of such hamartomas. Of the 11 reported cases, all but three caused symptoms related to compression of the cranial nerves in the cerebellopontine angle. Only three separate cases have been studied by computed tomography, and in one the fat density was not recognized. This report deals with the clinical presentations, surgical management, and radiologic assessment of these lesions.

Effect of dietary urea on blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats

The feeding of a normal diet containing 13.5% urea (in place of protein in a high protein diet) attenuated the development of severe hypertension and decreased the incidence of stroke in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), when 1% NaCl solution was given to them. The urea not only increased urine volume, but also increased urinary sodium excretion in SHR given 1% NaCl for drinking. Although there was no obvious difference in erythrocyte size between the urea and the control groups, there was a significant inverse correlation between plasma urea level and erythrocyte size. These results suggest that a high protein diet reduced blood pressure partly through the diuretic effect of urea, the common metabolite of various proteins.

Nuclear transplantation in teleosts. Hybrid fish from the nucleus of crucian and the cytoplasm of carp

Hybrid fish are obtained from the combination of nucleus and cytoplasm from two genera of fresh-water teleosts using the technique of nuclear transplantation (i.e. the combination of the nucleus of crucian (Carassius auratus) and the cytoplasm of carp (Cyprinus carpio]. Morphological characteristics of these hybrid fish that have been examined so far indicate that some features such as barbs, pharyngeal teeth, the number of scales along the lateral line, and the number of vertebrae are similar to those of crucian. Some of the hybrid fish grow to normal adult fish.

Myelography in achondroplasia: value of a lateral C1-2 puncture and non-ionic, water-soluble contrast medium

Because of technical difficulties and diagnostic limitations encountered with other myelographic techniques in patients with achondroplasia, the authors employed a lateral C1-2 puncture and non-ionic, water-soluble contrast medium in 18 achondroplastic patients with spinal compression (21 procedures). This technique proved most appropriate for identifying the upper limit of degenerative osteophytes causing exacerbation of congenital spinal stenosis, which is crucial in planning decompressive surgery. A potentially important additional finding was the presence of degenerative lower cervical spine disease in the majority of patients. There were no serious complications. The authors recommend this technique as safe and effective in achondroplastic patients with severe congenital spinal stenosis.

Electrical charge. Its role in the pathogenesis and prevention of experimental membranous nephropathy in the rabbit

Intravenous cationic bovine serum albumin (BSA, pI > 9.5) induces membranous nephropathy in immunized rabbits. In this study, unimmunized rabbits received intravenous injections of cationic (n = 3) or native (n = 3) or native (n = 3) BSA, followed by ex vivo isolated left renal perfusions with sheep anti-BSA antibody. Capillary wall deposits of IgG and C3 were seen exclusively in the group receiving cationic BSA, confirming an in situ pathogenesis for cationic, BSA-induced membranous nephropathy, and demonstrating the importance of a cationic antigen for its production. We then explored whether membranous nephropathy in this model is prevented by the concomitant injection of protamine sulfate, a filterable, relatively non-immunogenic polycation. An in vitro study demonstrated that protamine sulfate incubated with glomerular basement membrane (GBM) decreased the subsequent binding of radiolabeled cationic BSA (P < 0.05). In vivo, protamine sulfate was shown to bind to anionic sites in the glomerular capillary wall after intravenous injection.Groups of rabbits received 3 wk of daily intravenous injections of cationic BSA alone (n = 15) or cationic BSA and protamine (n = 18). After 2 wk of injection of cationic BSA alone, typical membranous nephropathy developed. Granular deposits of IgG and C3 were present along the GBM associated with subepithelial dense deposits, foot process effacement, and marked albuminuria. Protamine significantly reduced or prevented the formation of deposits (P < 0.001) and in6 of 18 protamine-treated animals, existing deposits decreased or disappeared between 2 and 3 wk of injection. Albuminuria was significantly reduced in protamine-treated animals with a mean of 124+/-55 mg/24 h compared to 632+/-150 mg/24 h in the control group receiving cationic BSA alone. No significant differences between the groups were noted in serum lev9lsof IgG, C3, anti-BSA antibody, or circulating immune complex size. Studies in additional animals (n = 5) given radiolabeled cationic BSA showed that protamine did not alter the clearance of cationic BSA from serum. Control experiments showed that protamine's beneficial effects were not related to its weak anticoagulant property or toits theoretical ability to deplete tissue histamine. The administration of heparin (n = 6) or diphenhydramine (n = 6) had no effect on the development of the epimembranous lesion compared to the group receiving cationic BSA alone. In addition, homogenized whole kidney histamine content was not significantly different in the group receiving cationic BSA alone compared to the group receiving cationic BSA and protamine. This work shows that a cationic BSA-induced glomerular lesion can be produced by a renal perfusion technique involving in situ complex formation and that this process requires a cationic antigen for its development. We believe that the demonstrated beneficial effects of protamine are due to its ability to bind to glomerular anionic sites, and that this electrostatic interaction results in inhibition for the further binding of the cationic antigen, thereby limiting the severity of glomerulonephritis in this model.

Multilevel disease of the conduction system

We found that the incidence and distribution of conduction system disease simultaneously affecting several levels of the system had been incompletely described. We therefore analysed all patients in whom conduction disease had been diagnosed and a complete electrophysiological study of the conduction system had been made, during a defined period. Patients were classified as to the presence or absence of sinus node disease, and proximal and distal atrioventricular disease. Since our hospital serves a defined population and a large proportion of all patients with conduction disease seen during the period was included, the series probably is representative of conduction disease in general. Twenty-four of the 59 patients had defects at more than one of the three levels (41%). Fifty-five per cent of the patients with sinus node disease had some kind of atrioventricular disease, while 42% of the latter had evidence of sinus node failure. The patients with multilevel disease were characterized by more severe symptoms, higher age and a higher incidence of generalized heart disease than those with single-level disease. The observations fit the concept that conduction system disease in most patients is part of a diffuse disease process progressively involving various parts of the system.

Hepatic damage in experimental and clinical paragonimiasis

The hepatic damage induced by Paragonimus skrjabini, and the migration route of this species and that of P. westermani, were investigated in a series of animal experiments and in 34 clinical and four autopsy cases of paragonimiasis. The major symptoms and signs of an unique case reported from Sichuan Province included hepatic tenderness, disturbance of hepatic functions, remittent fever, and cough with bloody sputum. Laparotomy revealed marked adhesions surrounding the liver, spleen and duodenum. Diagnosis was made by finding P. skrjabini in a bulla on the abdominal wall about 5 months after the onset of illness. After specific treatment with bithional, body temperature and liver functions returned to normal. Twenty-three of 33 cases independently studied from Fujian Province also showed similar hepatic function disturbance. Autopsy cases showed hepatic chronic eosinophilic abscesses with Charcot-Leyden crystals. Experimentally, P. skrjabini infection caused hepatic damage in all laboratory animals used. The main pathologic changes were initially acute eosinophilic abscesses in the liver, worms being found sometimes in the necrotic cavities of the abscesses; hepatomagaly also occurred. Some cysts containing mature worms were found in the liver of dogs 3-9 months after infection. Numerous eggs were deposited in the cyst walls. The migration route of P. skrjabini was studied in young dogs. Worms appeared in the liver initially on day 3 and reached their highest level on day 14. P. westermani also migrated into liver, but their numbers were less than those of P. skrjabini.

The nature of CuA in cytochrome c oxidase

The isolation and purification of yeast cytochrome c oxidase is described. Characterization of the purified protein indicates that it is spectroscopically identical with cytochrome c oxidase isolated from beef heart. Preparations of isotopically substituted yeast cytochrome c oxidase are obtained incorporating [1,3-15N2]histidine or [beta,beta-2H2]cysteine. Electron paramagnetic resonance and electron nuclear double resonance spectra of the isotopically substituted proteins identify unambiguously at least 1 cysteine and 1 histidine as ligands to CuA and suggest that substantial spin density is delocalized onto a cysteine sulfur in the oxidized protein to render the site Cu(I)--S.

Transfer of radiation-induced spins from deoxyribonucleic and thymidylic acids to propyl gallate

When calf thymus deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), propyl gallate (PG) and their five molecular mixtures (with PG content of 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20%) are irradiated with gamma-rays in dry state in vacuum at 296 degrees K, the ESR spectra of all molecular mixtures differ strikingly from those of DNA, but bear a close resemblance to those of PG. The spin yield in the PG contained in these mixtures is two to three orders of magnitude higher than that in the case of PG irradiated separately. Furthermore, on the basis of the relative saturation characteristics of ESR spectra, these molecular mixtures behave more like PG than like DNA. It may be inferred that the radiation-induced spins could be transferred from DNA to PG. With r representing the molar ratio of nucleotides to PG, we have found a good linear correlation between the transfer ratio (TR) and square root of r. One PG molecule could protect at least 68 nucleotides in the duplex DNA chain, and thereby the minimal range of spin transfer is estimated at 115 A. Results obtained from irradiation at 77 degrees K show that PG exerts no protective effect on DNA, so DNA sustains an irreversible damage. It is thought that the spin transfer from DNA to PG is exclusively due to a hydrogen transfer mechanism. We have also demonstrated the transfer of radiation-induced spins from both thermally denatured DNA and TMP to PG. The former process can be ascribed primarily to the hydrogen transfer mechanism, whereas the latter, as in the case of native DNA, exclusively to this mechanism.