Abstract
Amebas contain 7 electrophoretically distinct species of small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs), some of which are known to associate in a striking manner with mitotic chromosomes. These RNAs can be divided into 2 classes, one consisting of 4 snRNA species that shuttle in a non-random way between nucleus and cytoplasm during interphase and one consisting of 3 snRNA species that do not leave the nucleus at all during interphase. In the work reported here we sought to determine which class is associated with mitotic chromosomes. Through a series of micromanipulative procedures we arranged for the shuttling snRNAs to be the only radioactive molecules in the cell. Such cells were allowed to enter mitosis, whereupon they were fixed and subjected to autoradiography. In those cells no radioactive snRNAs were found associated with mitotic chromosomes. It is concluded, therefore, that those snRNAs that do associate with mitotic chromosomes must be one or more of the non-shuttling species. — In the Discussion, how the non-shuttling snRNAs may function in cell activities is considered.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Goldstein, L.: Role for small nuclear RNAs in “programming” chromosomal information? Nature (Lond.) 261, 519–521 (1976)
Goldstein, L., Ko, C.: Electrophoretic characterization of shuttling and non-shuttling small nuclear RNAs. Cell 2, 259–269 (1974)
Goldstein, L.. Ko, C.: The characteristics of shuttling RNAs confirmed. Exp. Cell Res. 96, 297–302 (1975)
Goldstein, L., Wise, G.E., Ko, C.: Small nuclear RNA localization during mitosis: An electron microscope study. J. Cell Biol. 73, 322–331 (1977)
Huang, R.C.C.: Low molecular weight nuclear RNA: Size, structure and possible function. In: Chromatin and chromosome structure (H.J. Li and R.A. Eckhardt, eds.), pp. 299–313. New York: Academic Press 1977
Prescott, D., Goldstein, L.: Proteins in nucleocytoplasmic interactions. III. Redistribution of nuclear proteins during and following mitosis in Amoeba proteus. J. Cell Biol. 39, 404–414 (1968)
Ro-Choi, T.S., Busch, H.: Low molecular-weight nuclear RNAs. In: The cell nucleus (H. Busch, ed.), Vol. 3, pp. 151–208. New York: Academic Press 1974
Spadari, S., Weissbach, A.: RNA-primed DNA synthesis: Specific catalysis by HeLa cell DNA polymerase α. Proc. nat. Acad. Sci. (Wash.) 72, 503–507 (1975)
Wise, G.E., Goldstein, L.: Electron microscope localization of nuclear RNAs that shuttle between cytoplasm and nucleus and nuclear RNAs that do not. J. Cell Biol. 56, 129–138 (1973)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Goldstein, L., Ko, C. Identification of the small nuclear RNAs associated with the mitotic chromosomes of Amoeba proteus . Chromosoma 68, 319–325 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00327167
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00327167