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Title: Newly synthesized mRNA in pea cotyledons at early stages of germination

Journal Article · · Biochemistry (Engl. Transl.); (United States)
OSTI ID:5933225

The intracellular localization and properties of the bulk of the newly synthesized RNAs in pea cotyledons after 5 h of swelling of dry embryos in the presence of (/sup 3/H) uridine were investigated. It was shown that more than 60% of the labeled RNA of the cotyledon homogenate is detected in a nucleus-free extract and is found in the postmitochondrial fraction; approx. 50% of this is present in the fraction enriched with polysomes, and only a small fraction (approx. 7%) corresponds to the monosomes and post-ribosomal particles. Structures containing the bulk of the labeled RNA are not membrane-bound; they are decomposed by treatment with RNase, sediment more rapidly than the 80S ribosomes, and have a buoyant density equal to 1.55-1.53 g/cm/sup 3/, on the basis of which they can be considered as polysomes. In the investigated period almost all the polysome-bound labeled RNA is sensitive to mild treatment with RNase, has a sedimentation coefficient from 10S to 30S, and is capable of being adsorbed on nitrocellulose filters. On the basis of the results obtained it is concluded that the predominant type of newly synthesized RNA in the cytoplasm of cells of pea cotyledons during the first hours of swelling is the mRNA-like RNAs, which are rapidly bound to the polysomes and are involved in the translation process. The synthesis and rapid utilization of this type of RNA in the polysomes are distinctly recorded in the cotyledons at all stages of germination: in the period of swelling, the lag phase, and the phase of growth.

Research Organization:
A.N. Bakh Institute of Biochemistry, Moscow, USSR
OSTI ID:
5933225
Journal Information:
Biochemistry (Engl. Transl.); (United States), Vol. 50:7; Other Information: Translation from Biokhimiya; 50: No. 7, 1189-1200(Jul 1985)
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English