3H-uridine incorporation by regenerating retinal ganglion cells of goldfish

Abstract

Tritiated uridine incorporation and RNA synthesis was compared using radioautographic methods in retinal ganglion cells of intact goldfish and of goldfish whose optic tracts had been sectioned 2–90 days previously. At 3 days postoperatively, the radioautographic reaction over the retinal ganglion cells abruptly increased and remained elevated throughout the period of regeneration (28 days). Grain counts returned to normal levels at 90 days. There was little indication of change in turnover rates of RNA within the regenerating cells. It is suggested that the increase in incorporation of RNA precursors may represent a primary event in the initiation of the axon regeneration in goldfish.