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1. DNA labelled with (14)C in the purine residues was prepared by treating newborn rats with [(14)C]formate and killing them for preparation of nucleic acids at 11-17 months. This DNA was incubated with N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine, and then analysed for products of methylation and deamination reactions. 2. Evidence was found for the formation of 7-methylguanine and a smaller amount of 3-methyladenine, and, after preliminary denaturation of the DNA, 1-methyladenine was detected. The presence of cysteine increased the extent of methylation. No evidence was found for the formation of xanthine or hypoxanthine, even at pH5.5.
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