THE STRUCTURE OF DNA IN ANABIOTIC AND MUMMIFIED CELLS

Abstract

Investigations of structural organization of DNA for stressed (increased stress resistance), anabiotic and mummified cells obtained by introducing 4-hexylresorcinol at different concentrations for different stages of cell culture growth using diffraction of synchrotron radiation were done. Experimental studies allow us to conclude that 4-hexylresorcinol is the initiator of the cell transition to the anabiotic and mummified states at stationary state. At pre-stationary state of growth 4-hexylresorcinol initiates a transition of cells to a mummified state but not to anabiotic one. The structure of DNA within a cell in the anabiotic dormant state (practically complete absence of metabolism) and the dormant state (starvation stress) coincide (forms nanocrystalline structures). Our data suggest the universality of DNA condensation or the universality of DNA protection by a protein Dps for dormant state, regardless of the type of stress. Mummified state (the complete absence of metabolism) is very different in structure (has no ordering within a cell).