Abstract
Functional mitochondrial polyribosomes, containing newly synthesized RNA, are already formed by the 8-cell stage of embryogenesis. Evidence that the polyribosomes are functional is based upon their capability to translate in vitro and their sensitivity to EDTA and puromycin. After fertilization, two ribosomal and at least six messenger-like RNAs are synthesized within the mitochondria; however, only the messenger-like RNA is found to be associated with polyribosomes following a 0–3 h labeling period. These results suggest that translation of newly synthesized messenger RNA (mRNA) occurs within mitochondria of cleavage stage embryos and that this translation utilizes ribosomes which were formed in the egg prior to fertilization.
Published Version
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