Search

Cytological analysis of a squirrel monkey indicates a considerable degree of chromosomal polymorphism. DNA synthetic patterns reveal late synthesis in chromosomal segments that are C-band negative and asynchrony in DNA replication between homologs. Location of a satellite DNA with a CsCl neutral buoyant density of 1.691 g/ml was mainly in the noncentromeric constitutive heterochromatin.

Direct application of some common food seasonings, and of solubilized filtered extracts of these seasonings, has toxic effects on cells in culture. Asynchronous populations of several mammalian cell strains were grown in media containing one of the three food seasonings, cayenne pepper, curry and paprika. The cells exhibited decondensed and banded metaphase chromosomes. The spice turmeric arrested mitosis, altered chromosome morphology and interfered with nucleic acid synthesis. The metaphase chromosomes showed a progression of changes including uncoiling, chromatid separation, fragmentation and disintegration. This progression was dose- and time-dependent. Monitoring of the cell cycle using autoradiographic techniques suggested that turmeric interfered with cell-cycle progression. The rate of incorporation of [ 3 H]thymidine and [ 3 H]uridine was reduced to less than 25% of control values within 30 min when turmeric (10 μ g/ml) was added to asynchronous Chinese-hamster cells.