Uptake of glycine-N15 by components of cell nuclei.

1. The uptake of glycine-N(15) by components of cell nuclei was studied. The nuclear components were derived both from tissues with high metabolic rates-mammalian liver, kidney, and pancreas-and from cells with relatively low rates of metabolism-avian erythrocytes and echinoderm sperm. N(15) uptake by nuclear components of liver, kidney, and pancreas was far more rapid than by those of erythrocytes and sperm. 2. The nuclear components of liver, kidney, and pancreas for which measurements were made were DNA, histone, and residual protein of chromatin. Uptake into DNA was low, into histone higher, and into residual protein much higher still, being comparable with that into mixed cytoplasmic protein. 3. A comparison of the uptake of N(15) by the chromosomal components, histone and DNA of liver, pancreas, and kidney showed that chromosomal "activity" varies in different cells and also in the same cell depending upon its over-all activity.