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RNA Synthesis in the nucleolus of Chironomus thummi, as studied by high resolution autoradiography

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Summary

Full grown fourth instar larvae of Chironomus thummi were injected with 3H-uridine, and the salivary glands were fixed at increasing time intervals after injection, ranging from 13 min to 46 hours. Autoradiographs of squashes and 1/2 micron sections were examined in the light microscope and of thin sections in the electron microscope. The results show a transposition of label from the pars fibrosa to the pars granulosa of the nucleolus. After short 3H-uridine incorporation, label also was found over chromosomal material extending into the nucleolus.

The significance of these findings is discussed with regard to the present biochemical knowledge: The label over the nucleolus organizer, extending into the nucleolus, indicates ribosomal RNA-synthesis at these chromosomal sites. This RNA which is first located in the pars fibrosa, subsequently breaks down within the nucleolus into two different components which combine with protein. After 20 min the smaller of these RNP-particles (40S) are found in the cytoplasm, whereas the bigger ones (60 S) migrate to the pars granulosa of the nucleolus. With delay these appear in the cytoplasm as well combining there with the 40 S-particles to form the functional ribosomes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts

    Brita von Gaudecker

  2. Anatomisches Institut der Universität, Neue Universität Eingang F1, 23, Kiel

    Brita von Gaudecker

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  1. Brita von Gaudecker
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This research supported by grants HD-00143 and 2T1-GM 406 from the United States Public Health Service. —It is a pleasure to express my thanks to Dr. E. D. Hay for suggesting the problem and the tissue so favorable for this investigation and for critical correction of the manuscript. The author also profited from the advice of Drs. D. W. Fawcett, J. P. Revel, S. Ito, H. Laufer, K. S. Schin and V. Clever and appreciates the technical assistance of Mrs. L. Ivanetich, Miss A. Kiley, Miss J. Drummond, Miss M. Powers and Mrs. S. Borack.

Fellowship for one year from Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, West Germany.

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von Gaudecker, B. RNA Synthesis in the nucleolus of Chironomus thummi, as studied by high resolution autoradiography. Z. Zellforsch. 82, 536–557 (1967). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00337121

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