[Influence of histone kinase phosphorylating lysine-rich histones, on the physico-chemical properties of normal hepatocyte chromatin and after partial hepatectomy].

The influence of a specific histone kinase, phosphorylating lysin-rich histone H1, H2a, H2b on the physico-chemical properties of chromatin from hepatocytes of normal and hepatectomized guinea pigs has been investigated. A cytochemical method has been used which permits to obtain information about the physico-chemical properties of the chromatin in situ, i.e. without its isolation. This approach allows us to evaluate changes in chromatin properties in cell cultures as well as in the intact organism. It is found that the specific histone kinase changes the properties of chromatin in non-dividing cells bringing about an increase of acridine orange binding to the level characteristic for hepatocytes after partial hepatectomy. At the same time the chromatin properties in activated hepatocytes are not changed under the action of the histone kinase. It is concluded that the specific histone kinase, phosphorylating lysine-rich histones can play an important role in the course of chromatin activation in cells stimulated to proliferation.