[Relationship of the DNA content in the nuclei of Amoeba proteus to the food regimen].

The relative DNA content of isolated Amoeba proteus nuclei has been measured by cytofluorometry. With the amoeba strain studied, the generation time is roughly equal to 48 hours at 25 degrees C, and with the presence of food in the medium. After the synchronous divisions, amoebae were maintained in the medium either with or without food organisms (Tetrahymena pyriformis). DNA contents in the nuclei of both the amoebae groups were measured within 4 and 48 hours after division. Before 16 hours, the nuclear DNA contents did not differ in either group. Starting from 20 hours, the DNA amount in fed amoebae exceeded that in starved animals. On the whole, the differences in DNA quantity increased by a 48th hour after division, when the nuclei of the former contained 145% DNA of the latter. The results obtained suggest that the DNA synthesis in amoeba nuclei may proceed during the whole interphase, and that during the second half of interphase the content of DNA may depend on the feeding intensity in amoebae. After refeeding the starved animals, DNA contents in their nuclei increased to reach the same level as in the constantly fed amoebae seen in the end of interphase.