Abstract
The incorporation of3H-thymidine into DNA in the brains of the 17-day and 20-day old rat fetuses was significantly reduced by maternal zinc restriction during pregnancy. The activity of the enzyme thymidine kinase (EC 2.7.1.21) was similarly reduced in the zine-deprived fetal brains on days 14 and 20 of gestation, but not on day 17. Fetal brain alkaline phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.1) was significantly depressed by maternal zinc deprivation on days 17 and 20 of pregnancy.
The data suggest an association between thymidine kinase and the reduced incorporation of3H-thymidine into DNA in the brains of 20-day old fetuses but not in animals on day 17. Alkaline phosphatase was however depressed at this stage.
The suggestion is made that because of the complexity of brain development, future biochemical studies in this area should concern specific structures in the brain at particular critical stages during neurogenesis.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
L. S. Hurley, inClinical Applications of Zinc Metabolism, W. J. Pories, H. H. Strain, J. M. Hsu, and R. L. Woosley, eds., Thomas, Illinois, 1974, pp. 57–76.
L. S. Hurley and R. E. Shrader, inInternational Review of Neurobiology, C. C. Pfeiffer, ed., Academic Press, New York, 1972, pp. 7–50.
A. Adeloye and J. Warkary,Childs Brain 2, 325 (1976).
H. Swenerton, R. Shrader, and L. S. Hurley,Science 166, 1014 (1969).
C. D. Eckhert and L. S. Hurley,J. Nutr. 107, 855 (1977).
M. Fujioka and I. Lieberman,J. Biol. Chem. 239, 1164 (1964).
A. S. Prasad and D. Oberleas,J. Lab. Clin. Med. 83, 634 (1974).
J. R. Duncan and I. E. Dreosti,J. Comp. Path. 86, 81 (1975).
E. Bresnick, U. B. Thompson, H. B. Morris, and A. G. Liebelt,Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 16, 278 (1964).
Davidson, J. N.,The Biochemistry of the Nucleic Acids, 7th ed., Methuen, London, 1972, pp. 607.
I. E. Dreosti and L. S. Hurley,Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med. 150, 161 (1975).
J. R. Duncan and L. S. Hurley,Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med. 159, 39 (1978).
J. M. McKenzie, G. J. Fosmire and H. H. Sandstead,J. Nutr. 105, 1466 (1975).
E. S. Halas and H. H. Sandstead,Pediatr. Res. 9, 94 (1975).
H. H. Sandstead, G. J. Fosmire, J. M. McKenzie, and E. S. Halas,Fed. Proc. 34, 86 (1975).
H. H. Sandstead, D. D. Gilespie, and R. N. Brady,Pediat. Res. 6, 119 (1972).
S. R. Cohen, inHandbook of Neurochemistry, A. Lajtha, ed., Plenum, New York, 1970, pp. 87–131.
P. Cohn and D. Richter,J. Neurochem. 1, 66 (1956).
M. Kirchgessner, H. P. Roth, and E. Weigand, inTrace Elements in Human Health and Disease, A. S. Prasad, and D. Oberleas, eds., Academic, New York, 1976, pp. 189–219.
P. J. Wilkins, P. C. Grey, and I. E. Dreosti,Brit. J. Nutr. 27, 113 (1972).
P. N. Davis, L. D. Norris, and F. H. Kratzer,J. Nutr. 78, 445 (1962).
H. N. Munro and A. Fleck,Meth. Biochem. Anal. 14, 113 (1966).
K. Burton,Biochem. J. 62, 315 (1956).
H. P. Witschi,Biochem. J. 120, 623 (1970).
D. H. Ives, J. P. Durham, and V. S. Tucker,Anal. Biochem. 28, 192 (1969).
O. H. Lowry, H. J. Rosebrough, A. L. Farr, and R. J. Randall,J. Biol. Chem. 193, 265 (1951).
Documenta Geigy, Scientific Tables, K. Diem, ed., Geigy, S. A., Basle, 1962 pp. 165.
O. A. Bessey, O. H. Lowry, and M. J. Brock,J. Biol. Chem. 164, 321 (1946).
J. Langman, W. Webster, and P. Rodier, inTeratology, Trends and Applications, G. L. Berry, and D. E. Poswillo, eds., Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1975, pp. 182–200.
B. L. O'Dell, inClinical Aspects of Zinc Metabolism, W. J. Pories, W. H. Strain, J. M. Hsu, and R. L. Woosley, eds., Thomas, Illinois, 1974, pp. 5–8.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Dreosti, I.E., Record, I.R. & Manuel, S.J. Incorporation of3H-thymidine into DNA and the activity of alkaline phosphatase in zinc-deficient fetal rat brains. Biol Trace Elem Res 2, 21–29 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02789032
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02789032