Ribonucleic Acids and Information Transfer in Animal Cells

Abstract

This chapter discusses the ribonucleic acids and information transfer in animal cells. The evidence on the physical and chemical characteristics, the biosynthesis, and the mode of operation of the ribonucleic acid (RNA) molecules likely to be the messengers peculiar to animal cells is discussed in this chapter. The rigidity of the protein pattern in animal cells is correlated, with the existence of stable messengers. Observations with enucleated cells indicate a stable protein synthesis, persisting for several days, and, obviously, independent of the continuous nuclear supply of short-lived mRNA. Asymmetry and polarity of the transcription process provide the necessary basis for considering the problem of sequential synthesis of RNA molecules. The interpretation of RNA labeling depends on the study of the free nucleotide precursor pool. It is suggested that a slower rate of overall RNA synthesis is correlated with a higher ratio of D-RNA in the population of rapidly labeled RNA molecules. The hybridization of rapidly labeled noncoding RNA (nRNA) is also discussed in this chapter.