Progesterone-induced synthesis of a new species of nuclear RNA.

Abstract

We have previously demonstrated that progesterone induces the synthesis of the specific chick oviduct protein, avidin. In the present study, we have utilized the techniques of DNA-RNA molecular hybridization to identify a new specie(s) of oviduct nuclear RNA which was produced following administration of progesterone but prior to induction of avidin synthesis. This change in nuclear RNA population was found at both 6 and 16 hr following administrationadministration of the steroid hormone. The results were similar when the RNA was labeled either in vivo, in vitro, or double-labeled with different RNA precursors. The appearance of this new species of nuclear hybridizable RNA indicates a mechanism of action for progesterone at the nuclear or transcriptional level of protein synthesis, resulting in new gene transcriptions and eventuating in avidin synthesis. (Endocrinology 84: 63, 1969)