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Balbiani ring RNA content and half-life in nucleus and cytoplasm of Chironomus tentans salivary gland cells

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Abstract

The content of RNA with an origin in the Balbiani rings 1 and 2 (BR 1+2) has been determined in chromosomes, nuclear sap and cytoplasm of Chironomus tentans salivary gland cells. Together with information on rate and completeness of export this permits an estimation of half-life of this RNA in cytoplasm and its residence time in the nucleus. The quantities in the BR, nuclear sap, and cytoplasm are roughly related as 1∶10∶200. The 75 S RNA in the nuclear sap with an origin in the BR 1+2 must to a high extent be a precursor to the cytoplasmic 75 S RNA in vivo. The half-life of the cytoplasmic component is about 20 h and the half-life (residence time) for BR 1+2 RNA in the nuclear sap around one hour. The presence of a large pool of BR RNA in the sap explains the previously observed delay in its cytoplasmic appearance in vivo.

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Edström, J.E., Lindgren, S., Lönn, U. et al. Balbiani ring RNA content and half-life in nucleus and cytoplasm of Chironomus tentans salivary gland cells. Chromosoma 66, 33–44 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00285814

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00285814

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