DNA unmasked in the red rain cells of Kerala Free

Abstract

Extraordinary claims have been made for the biological properties of the red rain cells of Kerala, including a suggestion that they lack DNA. We have investigated the fluorescence properties of red rain cells, and the solubility of the red pigment in a variety of solvents. Extraction of the pigment with DMSO allowed successful demonstration of DNA using DAPI staining. Cellular impermeability to staining reagents due to the red pigment is the likely explanation for the failure of previous efforts to demonstrate DNA in red rain cells.

Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journal/micro/10.1099/mic.0.062711-0
2013-01-01
2024-03-29
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

/deliver/fulltext/micro/159/1/107.html?itemId=/content/journal/micro/10.1099/mic.0.062711-0&mimeType=html&fmt=ahah

References

  1. Banerjee D., Pal S. K.( 2008). Dynamics in the DNA recognition by DAPI: exploration of the various binding modes. J Phys Chem B 112:1016–1021 [View Article][PubMed]
    [Google Scholar]
  2. Denyer S. P., Maillard J.-Y.( 2002). Cellular impermeability and uptake of biocides and antibiotics in Gram-negative bacteria. J Appl Microbiol 92:Suppl. S135S–45S [View Article][PubMed]
    [Google Scholar]
  3. DiGregorio B. E.( 2007). What made the rain red in India? Isotopic analysis points to a terrestrial origin for the unusual organic particles that colored the rain like blood. Anal Chem 79:3238 [View Article][PubMed]
    [Google Scholar]
  4. Gunnison D., Alexander M.( 1975). Basis for the resistance of several algae to microbial decomposition. Appl Microbiol 29:729–738[PubMed]
    [Google Scholar]
  5. Hamada S., Fujita S.( 1983). DAPI staining improved for quantitative cytofluorometry. Histochemistry 79:219–226 [View Article][PubMed]
    [Google Scholar]
  6. Kelly M. S., Gay J. L.( 1969). The basis of differential staining of ascospores and vegetative cells of yeasts. Arch Mikrobiol 66:1–13 [View Article][PubMed]
    [Google Scholar]
  7. Laflamme C., Lavigne S., Ho J., Duchaine C.( 2004). Assessment of bacterial endospore viability with fluorescent dyes. J Appl Microbiol 96:684–692 [View Article][PubMed]
    [Google Scholar]
  8. Louis G., Kumar A. S.( 2006). The red rain phenomenon of Kerala and its possible extraterrestrial origin. Astrophys Space Sci 302:175–187 [View Article]
    [Google Scholar]
  9. McDonnell G., Russell A. D.( 1999). Antiseptics and disinfectants: activity, action, and resistance. Clin Microbiol Rev 12:147–179[PubMed]
    [Google Scholar]
  10. Russell A. D.( 1990). Bacterial spores and chemical sporicidal agents. Clin Microbiol Rev 3:99–119[PubMed]
    [Google Scholar]
  11. Schichnes D., Nemson J. A., Ruzin S. E.( 2006). Fluorescent staining method for bacterial endospores. Microscope 54:91–93
    [Google Scholar]
  12. Setlow B., Magill N., Febbroriello P., Nakhimovsky L., Koppel D. E., Setlow P.( 1991). Condensation of the forespore nucleoid early in sporulation of Bacillus species. J Bacteriol 173:6270–6278[PubMed]
    [Google Scholar]
  13. Tanious F. A., Veal J. M., Buczak H., Ratmeyer L. S., Wilson W. D.( 1992). DAPI (4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) binds differently to DNA and RNA: minor-groove binding at AT sites and intercalation at AU sites. Biochemistry 31:3103–3112 [View Article][PubMed]
    [Google Scholar]
http://instance.metastore.ingenta.com/content/journal/micro/10.1099/mic.0.062711-0
Loading
/content/journal/micro/10.1099/mic.0.062711-0
Loading

Data & Media loading...

Most cited Most Cited RSS feed