RELATIVE PROPORTIONS OF MITOCHONDRIAL AND NUCLEAR DNA IN YEAST UNDER VARIOUS CONDITIONS OF GROWTH

The relative proportions of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA were compared between various types of cells including anaerobically grown cells, aerobically grown glucose‐repressed and highly derepressed cells. The comparison was made by the use of a labelled reference yeast, which was mixed with various types of cells before extraction of DNA, so that the results could not be influenced by any unequal losses of DNA components during extraction. Relative proportions of mitochondrial DNA and nuclear DNA were estimated from the specific radioactivities of the two DNA components which were separated by column chromatography on hydroxyapatite. Contrary to the previous observation by other authors, no major differences were found between completely derepressed cells grown aerobically on galactose up to the stationary phase and cells grown on high glucose under strict anaerobiosis or cells growing under strong aerobic glucose repression. By the same technique, the mitochondrial DNA content of some other strains including a δ– mutant was examined. Copyright © 1969, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved