Total Ribosomal RNA Research Articles

Skeletal muscle preservation in arctic ground squirrels during hibernation season

Reduced skeletal loading leads to muscle atrophy in humans and most mammals. By contrast, hibernating mammals demonstrate limited loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength by the end of winter after being physically inactive for several months. The present study objective was to establish potential underlying processes for the lack of muscle loss during the hibernation season of arctic ground squirrels (AGS). Our hypothesis was that early in the the hibernation season, protective mechanisms of AGS are not yet mobilized and muscles show signs of atrophy, while compensatory processes for preventing muscle loss appear at a later time point. Quadriceps muscles of juvenile male AGS were collected shortly before hibernation, and on 2, 6, 10-12 and 16-22 weeks during hibernation. Pre-hibernating animals were used as controls. Fiber cross-sectional area (CSA) and fiber type composition were determined with immunohistochemistry. Amount of total RNA, ribosomal RNA content and expression levels of genes involved in 2 pathways of protein degradation, ubiquitination and autophagy, were analyzed by real-time PCR, to evaluate molecular mechanisms of muscle maintenance. One-Way ANOVA was used to statistically analyze the group differences. We found that CSA was not different between the groups (P > 0.05). CSA frequency distribution curves did not reveal any shift to a smaller or larger size range. No difference was detected in myofiber composition between the hibernation groups compared to the control. Total RNA and ribosomal RNA content were not significantly different between the groups during hibernation. Muscle atrophy marker FBXO32 (Atrogin-1, MAFBX) and autophagy related genes MAP1LC3A and BECN1 did not show different level of expression between the groups. Only another muscle atrophy marker TRIM63 (MURF-1, Iris Ring Finger Protein) was significantly over-expressed at the time point of 2 weeks of hibernation. These results indicate that throughout the hibernation season, AGS preserve muscle fiber CSA showing limited signs of muscle atrophy only during the first weeks of hibernation, and yet-to-be determined processes exist to suppress protein degradation in AGS muscles during hibernation. The work was supported by Center of Biomedical Research Excellence under grant number [P20GM130443]. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2024 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

Glucose ingestion before and after resistance training sessions does not augment ribosome biogenesis in healthy moderately trained young adults

PurposeResistance training-induced skeletal muscle hypertrophy seems to depend on ribosome biogenesis and content. High glucose treatment may augment ribosome biogenesis through potentiating resistance training-induced adaptations. This was investigated with total RNA and ribosomal RNA abundances as main outcomes, with relevant transcriptional/translational regulators (c-Myc/UBF/rpS6) as a secondary outcome.MethodsSixteen healthy, moderately trained individuals [male/female, n = 9/7; age, 24.1 (3.3)] participated in a within-participant crossover trial with unilateral resistance training (leg press and knee extension, 3 sets of 10 repetitions maximum) and pre- and post-exercise ingestion of either glucose (3 × 30 g, 90 g total) or placebo supplements (Stevia rebaudiana, 3 × 0.3 g, 0.9 g total), together with protein (2 × 25 g, 50 g total), on alternating days for 12 days. Six morning resistance exercise sessions were conducted per condition, and the sessions were performed in an otherwise fasted state. Micro-biopsies were sampled from m. vastus lateralis before and after the intervention.ResultsGlucose ingestion did not have beneficial effects on resistance training-induced increases of ribosomal content (mean difference 7.6% [− 7.2, 24.9], p = 0.34; ribosomal RNA, 47S/18S/28S/5.8S/5S, range 7.6–37.9%, p = 0.40–0.98) or levels of relevant transcriptional or translational regulators (c-MYK/UBF/rpS6, p = 0.094–0.292). Of note, both baseline and trained state data of total RNA showed a linear relationship with UBF; a ∼14% increase in total RNA corresponded to 1 SD unit increase in UBF (p = 0.003).ConclusionGlucose ingestion before and after resistance training sessions did not augment ribosomal RNA accumulation during twelve days of heavy-load resistance training in moderately trained young adults.

Bacterial community changes in copper and PEX drinking water pipeline biofilms under extra disinfection and magnetic water treatment.

To study the stability of biofilms and water quality in pilot scale drinking water copper and PEX pipes in changing conditions (extra disinfection, magnetic water treatment, MWT). Next-generation sequencing (NGS) of 16S ribosomal RNA genes (rDNA) to describe total bacterial community and ribosomal RNA (rRNA) to describe active bacterial members in addition to traditional microbiological methods were applied. Biofilms from control copper and PEX pipes shared same most abundant bacteria (Methylobacterium spp., Sphingomonas spp., Zymomonas spp.) and average species diversities (Shannon 3·8-4·2) in rDNA and rRNA libraries, whereas few of the taxa differed by their abundance such as lower total Mycobacterium spp. occurrence in copper (<0·02%) to PEX (<0·2%) pipes. Extra disinfection (total chlorine increase from c.0·5 to 1mgl-1 ) affected total and active population in biofilms seen as decrease in many bacterial species and diversity (Shannon 2·7, P<0·01, rRNA) and increase in Sphingomonas spp. as compared to control samples. Furthermore, extra-disinfected copper and PEX samples formed separate clusters in unweighted non-metric multidimensional scaling plot (rRNA) similarly to MWT-treated biofilms of copper (but not PEX) pipes that instead showed higher species diversity (Shannon 4·8, P<0·05 interaction). Minor chlorine dose addition increased selection pressure and many species were sensitive to chlorination. Pipe material seemed to affect mycobacteria occurrence, and bacterial communities with MWT in copper but not in PEX pipes. This study using rRNA showed that chlorination affects especially active fraction of bacterial communities. Copper and PEX differed by the occurrence of some bacterial members despite similar community profiles.

Decrease in Ribosomal RNA in Candida albicans Induced by Serum Exposure.

Candida albicans is an important polymorphic human pathogen. It can switch from a unicellular yeast form to germinating hypha, which may play a role in making it the successful pathogen it is. This hyphal transformation can be triggered by various extracellular stimuli, the most potent one being serum from any source. We have previously reported that Candida albicans transiently polyadenylates portions of both the large and small subunits of ribosomal RNA, shortly after serum exposure. Northern blots at the same time suggested that serum might induce a decrease in total ribosomal RNA. We have carried out a number of experiments to carefully assess this possibility and now report that serum significantly reduces ribosomal RNA in Candida albicans. Fluorometric measurements, Northern blotting and quantitative RT-PCR, have all confirmed this decrease. Timed experiments show that serum induces this decrease rapidly, as it was seen in as early as five minutes. Cell mass is not decreased as total cellular protein content remains the same and metabolic activity does not appear to slow, as assessed by XTT assay, and by the observation that cells form hyphal structures robustly. Another hyphal inducer, N-acetylglucosamine, also caused RNA decrease, but to a lesser extent. We also observed it in non-germinating yeast, such as Candida glabrata. The reason for this decrease is unknown and overall our data suggests that decrease in rRNA does not play a causal role in hyphal transformation. Rapid and significant decrease in a molecule so central to the yeast’s biology is of some importance, and further studies, such as its effect on protein metabolism, will be required to better understand its purpose.

Mycobacterial RNA isolation optimized for non-coding RNA: high fidelity isolation of 5S rRNA from Mycobacterium bovis BCG reveals novel post-transcriptional processing and a complete spectrum of modified ribonucleosides.

A major challenge in the study of mycobacterial RNA biology is the lack of a comprehensive RNA isolation method that overcomes the unusual cell wall to faithfully yield the full spectrum of non-coding RNA (ncRNA) species. Here, we describe a simple and robust procedure optimized for the isolation of total ncRNA, including 5S, 16S and 23S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and tRNA, from mycobacteria, using Mycobacterium bovis BCG to illustrate the method. Based on a combination of mechanical disruption and liquid and solid-phase technologies, the method produces all major species of ncRNA in high yield and with high integrity, enabling direct chemical and sequence analysis of the ncRNA species. The reproducibility of the method with BCG was evident in bioanalyzer electrophoretic analysis of isolated RNA, which revealed quantitatively significant differences in the ncRNA profiles of exponentially growing and non-replicating hypoxic bacilli. The method also overcame an historical inconsistency in 5S rRNA isolation, with direct sequencing revealing a novel post-transcriptional processing of 5S rRNA to its functional form and with chemical analysis revealing seven post-transcriptional ribonucleoside modifications in the 5S rRNA. This optimized RNA isolation procedure thus provides a means to more rigorously explore the biology of ncRNA species in mycobacteria.

Impact of diet and individual variation on intestinal microbiota composition and fermentation products in obese men.

There is growing interest in understanding how diet affects the intestinal microbiota, including its possible associations with systemic diseases such as metabolic syndrome. Here we report a comprehensive and deep microbiota analysis of 14 obese males consuming fully controlled diets supplemented with resistant starch (RS) or non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) and a weight-loss (WL) diet. We analyzed the composition, diversity and dynamics of the fecal microbiota on each dietary regime by phylogenetic microarray and quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis. In addition, we analyzed fecal short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) as a proxy of colonic fermentation, and indices of insulin sensitivity from blood samples. The diet explained around 10% of the total variance in microbiota composition, which was substantially less than the inter-individual variance. Yet, each of the study diets induced clear and distinct changes in the microbiota. Multiple Ruminococcaceae phylotypes increased on the RS diet, whereas mostly Lachnospiraceae phylotypes increased on the NSP diet. Bifidobacteria decreased significantly on the WL diet. The RS diet decreased the diversity of the microbiota significantly. The total 16S ribosomal RNA gene signal estimated by qPCR correlated positively with the three major SCFAs, while the amount of propionate specifically correlated with the Bacteroidetes. The dietary responsiveness of the individual's microbiota varied substantially and associated inversely with its diversity, suggesting that individuals can be stratified into responders and non-responders based on the features of their intestinal microbiota.

Ribonucleic acids and ribosomal proteins synthesis during germination of unripe and aged wheat caryopses

Caryopses collected at milk, wax and full ripeness as well as aged ones stored at air humidity of 30, 60 and 80 per cent were subjected to germination. The more unripe were the caryopses the lower was their germination capacity and dry mass increment of the sprouts, the same was true for fully ripe but aged caryopses. After 48 h of germination in the presence of radioactive precursors the embryos were removed from the caryopses and used for isolation of the total ribosomal fraction and RNA. Distinct synthesis of three basic total RNA fractions and of the polyribosomal fraction was observed in all samples and in embryos from grain which had completely lost its germination capacity. High radioactivity was recorded in preparations of total RNA and polyribosomal ones from 48-h sprouts growing from caryopses collected at milk ripeness and in those of aged caryopses stored under air humidity of 30 and 60 per cent. According to the authors, the depressed amount of latent forms of RNA (preformed mRNA, tRNA and ribosomes) is the cause of intensive &lt;sup&gt;3&lt;/sup&gt;H-uridine incorporation into RNA in embryos from unripe and aged caryopses. For germination of grains with a reduced amount of latent forms the biosynthesis mechanisms must be based to a much higher extent on newly synthesised molecules of ribonucleic acids.

329 POSTER Vorinostat significantly enhances the antitumor activity of temsirolimus in renal cancer

Ribosome biogenesis and ribosomal DNA transcription are closely correlated with the growth and proliferation of cells, with these processes being under tight epigenetic control. We have investigated the effect of ectopically expressed murine HDAC1 in reporter assays, on ribosomal DNA transcription, cell cycle progression and proliferation in transfected mammalian cells. Ectopically expressed mHDAC1 represses transcription in ribosomal reporter assays driven by ribosomal promoter elements in NIH3T3 cells as well as Cos-7 cells. Following stable transfection of NIH3T3 cells, flag-tagged HDAC1 is assembled into functional, enzymatically active HDAC-complexes that display correct nuclear localization. Induction of flag-HDAC1 expression in NIH3T3 cells caused a cell-cycle phase specific reduction in the initiation of endogenous rDNA transcription, reflected in a reduction of nascent rRNA as well as a marked depression of proliferation due to prolongation of G2-phase. This was substantiated by FACS analysis and cyclin B1 expression analysis. However, prolongation of the G2-phase in HDAC1-overexpressing cells finally led to overcompensation and thus to an increase in total ribosomal RNA. The transient downregulation of rRNA synthesis after induction of HDAC1 overexpression led to a prolongation of G2-phase. These observations were most likely a consequence of HDAC1-mediated deacetylation of upstream binding factor (UBF).

Cell cycle dependent role of HDAC1 for proliferation control through modulating ribosomal DNA transcription

Ribosome biogenesis and ribosomal DNA transcription are closely correlated with the growth and proliferation of cells, with these processes being under tight epigenetic control. We have investigated the effect of ectopically expressed murine HDAC1 in reporter assays, on ribosomal DNA transcription, cell cycle progression and proliferation in transfected mammalian cells. Ectopically expressed mHDAC1 represses transcription in ribosomal reporter assays driven by ribosomal promoter elements in NIH3T3 cells as well as Cos-7 cells. Following stable transfection of NIH3T3 cells, flag-tagged HDAC1 is assembled into functional, enzymatically active HDAC-complexes that display correct nuclear localization. Induction of flag-HDAC1 expression in NIH3T3 cells caused a cell-cycle phase specific reduction in the initiation of endogenous rDNA transcription, reflected in a reduction of nascent rRNA as well as a marked depression of proliferation due to prolongation of G2-phase. This was substantiated by FACS analysis and cyclin B1 expression analysis. However, prolongation of the G2-phase in HDAC1-overexpressing cells finally led to overcompensation and thus to an increase in total ribosomal RNA. The transient downregulation of rRNA synthesis after induction of HDAC1 overexpression led to a prolongation of G2-phase. These observations were most likely a consequence of HDAC1-mediated deacetylation of upstream binding factor (UBF).

Methanogenic population dynamics during start-up of anaerobic digesters treating municipal solid waste and biosolids.

An aggressive start-up strategy was used to initiate codigestion in two anaerobic, continuously mixed bench-top reactors at mesophilic (37 degrees C) and thermophilic (55 degrees C) conditions. The digesters were inoculated with mesophilic anaerobic sewage sludge and cattle manure and were fed a mixture of simulated municipal solid waste and biosolids in proportions that reflect U.S. production rates. The design organic loading rate was 3.1 kg volatile solids/m3/day and the retention time was 20 days. Ribosomal RNA-targeted oligonucleotide probes were used to determine the methanogenic community structure in the inocula and the digesters. Chemical analyses were performed to evaluate digester performance. The aggressive start-up strategy was successful for the thermophilic reactor, despite the use of a mesophilic inoculum. After a short start-up period (20 days), stable performance was observed with high gas production rates (1.52 m3/m3/day), high levels of methane in the biogas (59%), and substantial volatile solids (54%) and cellulose (58%) removals. In contrast, the mesophilic digester did not respond favorably to the start-up method. The concentrations of volatile fatty acids increased dramatically and pH control was difficult. After several weeks of operation, the mesophilic digester became more stable, but propionate levels remained very high. Methanogenic population dynamics correlated well with performance measures. Large fluctuations were observed in methanogenic population levels during the start-up period as volatile fatty acids accumulated and were subsequently consumed. Methanosaeta species were the most abundant methanogens in the inoculum, but their levels decreased rapidly as acetate built up. The increase in acetate levels was paralleled by an increase in Methanosarcina species abundance (up to 11.6 and 4.8% of total ribosomal RNA consisted of Methanosarcina species ribosomal RNA in mesophilic and thermophilic digesters, respectively). Methanobacteriaceae were the most abundant hydrogenotrophic methanogens in both digesters, but their levels were higher in the thermophilic digester.

N-acetylcysteine slows down ageing and increases the life span of Drosophila melanogaster.

Ageing can be defined as the time-dependent decline of physiological functions of an organism. The molecular causes for the ageing process are multiple, involving both genetic and environmental factors. It has been proposed that antioxidants may positively influence the ageing process, protecting the organism against free radical-induced damage. Here we show that the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) has a life-extending effect on Drosophila melanogaster. Dietary uptake of NAC results in a dose-dependent increase in median and maximum life span. Flies fed on 1 mg/ml NAC food live 16.6% longer; at 10 mg/ml, life span increases by 26.6%. We have examined the effect of NAC treatment on protein and RNA levels: we observe an NAC-dependent increase in absolute amounts of total RNA and ribosomal RNA, but no differences in protein levels. The NAC effect on longevity may involve differential expression of specific mRNA genes, as suggested by RNA finger-printing experiments.

A study on postmortem stability of vasopressin messenger RNA in rat brain compared with those in total RNA and ribosomal RNA

Postmortem stability of arginine-vasopressin (AVP) messenger RNA (mRNA) in the rat brain was studied comparing changes with those in the recovered amounts of total RNA and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). The amount of AVP mRNA and rRNA showed a decrease with increasing time interval after death (postmortem time), whereas the amount of total RNA did not alter with postmortem time. The half-life of AVP mRNA in the rat postmortem seemed to be approximately 16 hrs. The analysis of the ratio of AVP mRNA to 18S-rRNA suggested that AVP mRNA was degraded postmortem more rapidly than rRNA. These results suggest that autopsied human brains should be used for AVP mRNA study within a short postmortem time.

Comparison between the time course of changes in nerve growth factor protein levels and those of its messenger RNA in the cultured rat iris.

In previous experiments, it has been demonstrated that, in rat irides in culture, a rapid increase in nerve growth factor (NGF) levels occurred (see Barth, E.-M., Korsching, S., and Thoenen, H. (1984) J. Cell Biol. 99, 839-843). We have now determined the levels of mRNANGF in rat irides as a function of time in culture as well. After an initial lag period of 2 h, mRNANGF levels were transiently increased, so that after 12 h, they had increased 35-fold with respect to zero time. In contrast, poly(A)+ RNA levels dropped to 55% of the zero time values within 5 h, recovered to 85% after 24 h, and remained constant until the end of the observation period. Total ribosomal RNA was found to remain constant, indicating that there was no nonspecific decline of overall metabolic function. Actinomycin D prevented the increase in mRNANGF without reducing the basic mRNANGF levels over a 5-h time period, indicating that the enhanced synthesis of NGF in the rat iris in culture is primarily mediated by an augmented production of mRNANGF. The increases of mRNANGF, cellular NGF, and NGF released into the medium were found to be strictly sequential. Monensin selectively abolished the increased production of mature NGF (see Barth et al.) but not of mRNANGF, suggesting that the processing of NGF precursor is prevented.

Quantitative changes in protein synthesis during oogenesis in Xenopus laevis

Protein synthesis rates in Xenopus laevis oocytes from stage 1 through stage 6 were measured. In addition, the translational efficiencies, total RNA contents, and percentages of ribosomes in polysomes in growing oocytes at several stages were determined. Stage 1 oocytes synthesize protein at a mean rate of 0.18 ng hr −1 while stage 6 oocytes make protein at a rate of 22.8 ng hr −1. Polysomes from growing and full-grown oocytes sedimented in a sucrose gradient with a peak value of 300 S, corresponding to a weight-average packing density of 10 ribosomes per mRNA. Ribosome transit times of endogenous mRNAs were essentially unchanged at all stages examined. While the oocyte's total ribosomal RNA content was observed to increase about 115-fold during oogenesis, the percentage of ribosomes in polysomes remained constant at approximately 2%. Taken together, the data suggest that the 127-fold increase in protein synthesis which occurs during Xenopus oogenesis involves the progressive recruitment onto polysomes of mRNA from the maternal stockpile.

Ribosome turnover in rat brain and liver

The turnover of RNA and protein components of the ribosome in rat brain and liver has been examined by following the loss of radioactivity from total ribosomal RNA and protein from 2 to 11 days after injection of either [5,6- 3H]uridine or [Me- 3H]methionine. Nearly identical half-lives were obtained for ribosomal RNA and protein with both precursors. The half-lives for brain ribosomal RNA and protein were 9 days and those for liver ribosomal RNA and protein were 4 to 5 days, suggesting that the ribosome is synthesized and degraded as a functional unit, as first proposed by Hirsch and Hiatt.

Stimulation by abscisic acid of RNA synthesis in discs from healthy and tobacco mosaic virus-infected tobacco leaves

Uptake of abscisic acid from the culture medium by discs of healthy and tobacco mosaic virus-infected tobacco leaves was measured. Small (two to five-fold) increases in abscisic acid concentration in discs caused increases in rates of [(3)H]uridine and [(3)H]adenine incorporation into total nucleic acid, virus RNA and host ribosomal RNA. Net accumulation of virus RNA was also enhanced by abscisic acid. This evidence for stimulation of RNA synthesis is compared with previous reports showing inhibition of RNA synthesis in other tissues. It is suggested that the increase in endogenous abscisic acid caused by tobacco mosaic virus infection may be at least partly responsible for observed increases in rates of RNA synthesis after infection.

Structural states of dictyostelium myosin.

Myosin purified from Dictyostelium amoebae has approximately 10% by weight of RNA associated with it, unless specific steps (DEAE cellulose chromatography or RNase digestion) are taken to remove it. This RNA has significant effects on the structural states formed by the myosin at low ionic strength in the presence of Mg2+. Rapid precipitation of RNA-free myosin by dilution generates bipolar thick filaments (540 nm long, 33 nm thick), often with a bare zone and a 15-nm transverse repeat. Rapid precipitation of myosin with copurified RNA yields linear aggregates of bipolar filaments, showing some lateral association. Slow precipitation of RNA-free myosin by dialysis yields very long filaments or ribbons (greater than 5 micrometer, 30--60 nm wide) in which the myosin may be packed diagonally across the filament, similar to the "side-polar" aggregates formed by other nonmuscle myosins and by smooth muscle myosin (Craig R, Megerman J: J Cell Biol 75:990, 1977; Hinssen H, D'Haese J, Small JV, Sobieszek A: J Ultrastruct Res 64:282, 1978). Slow precipitation of myosin with copurified RNA generates linear filaments with repeat intervals of 290 and 650 nm. Other polyanions were tested for their effects on myosin aggregation. Total RNA and ribosomal RNA from Dictyostelium, when added to RNA-free myosin, also induced the extensive linear aggregation seen with the copurified RNA/myosin complex, although higher concentrations of RNA were required to obtain quantitatively the same effect. DNA and heparin were also effective inducers of linear aggregation, whereas homopolymers of nucleotides and of acidic or basic amino acids were poorly effective.

Effect of a Low Protein Diet on in vitro Protein Synthesis in Thymus, Spleen, and Bone Marrow in Young Adult Rats

Young adult rats (body weight 90 g) were given a low protein (3% casein) diet for 6 days. Under these conditions, thymus and spleen organ wet weights and DNA content decreased as compared with control rats given a high protein (20% casein) diet. The in vitro incorporation of amino acids into protein was followed using leucine as the radioactive precursor. Ribosomes of tissues from the dietary rats were incubated together with soluble enzymes from liver of rats fed a stock diet, and cofactors. Ribosomal capacity for leucine incorporation into protein diminished in thymus by 33% per mg ribosomal RNA, 77% per total ribosomal RNA, and 43% per mg DNA. In spleen the corresponding reductions were 29%, 81%, and 31%; in bone marrow the decrease was 29% per mg ribosomal RNA, 56% per total ribosomal RNA, and 19% per mg DNA. A reduction in physiological activity is thus evident in these tissues soon after protein restriction.

Isolation and characterization of the RNA of membrane-bound ribosomes in Dictyostelium discoideum.

The RNA of membrane-bound ribosomes, isolated from Dictyostelium discoideum, represented 13 to 16% of the total ribosomal RNA (rRNA) present throughout growth and development. Membrane-bound ribosomes were released by treatment with sodium deoxycholate and Brij 58. There were no obvious differences in size and base composition between RNAs derived from membrane-bound or free ribosomes. The 17S membrane-bound rRNA and free rRNAs appeared to have similar methyl contents. However, the 25S membrane-bound rRNA contained about 16 to 20% fewer methyl groups than the 17S membrane-bound rRNA and free rRNAs. Free rRNAs turned over rapidly during early development but not during the disaggregation and reaggregation processes. Membrane-bound rRNAs showed very little turnover during the early stages of morphogenesis, but showed rapid turnover during the late stages of development; this class of rRNAs did not turn over during early stages of reaggregation but turned over rapidly during later stages of reaggregation.

Free fibosomes and growth stimulation in human peripheral lymphocytes: activation of free ribisomes as an essential event in growth induction.

During the initial ten hours of growth in lymphocytes stimulated by phytohemagglutinin, the cells are converted from a state in which over 70% of all ribosomes are inactive free ribosomes, to one in which over 80% of ribosomes are in polysomes or in native ribosomal subunits. In this initial period, there was a neglible increase in total ribosomal RNA due to increased RNA synthesis, and abolition of ribosomal RNA synthesis with low concentrations of actinomycin D did not interfere with polysome formation. Therefore, the conversion is accomplished by the activation of existing free ribosomes rather than by accumulation of newly synthesized particles. The large free ribosome pool of resting lymphocytes is thus an essential source of components for accelerated protein synthesis early in lymphocyte activation, before increased synthesis can provide a sufficient number of new ribosomes. Free ribosomes accumulate once more after 24 to 48 hours of growth, when RNA and DNA synthetic activity are maximal. This reaccumulation of inactive ribosomes at the peak of growth activity may represent preparation for a return to the resting state where cells are again susceptible to stimulation. Activation of free ribosomes to form polysomes appears to involve modification of at least two steps: (a) dissociation of free ribosomes with stabilization as native subunits, and (b) adjustment of a rate-limiting step at initiation.