In:
Canadian Journal of Biochemistry, Canadian Science Publishing, Vol. 47, No. 3 ( 1969-03-01), p. 283-289
Abstract:
Rat brain and liver homogenates depolymerized polyadenylic acid when added to a reaction mixture containing this polynucleotide. The activity in the homogenate declined progressively with the age of the tissues. This was reflected in a parallel reduction in the activity of the soluble fraction. In brain, the activity in the nuclear fraction also declined in the adult to half the level of the newborn. In contrast, liver nuclei had approximately the same activity at all stages of growth.With advancement in age, an increasingly greater proportion of the total activity of the tissues was contained in the nuclear fraction, while at the same time the proportion of activity in the soluble fraction decreased. The proportion of activity contained in the mitochondrial–microsomal fraction also increased with growth in brain, with the maximum increment in activity occurring after 8 weeks of age. In liver, there was actually a decrease of activity in this fraction during the same period. At all ages, the mitochondrial–microsomal fraction of brain contained a higher proportion of activity and the nuclear fraction of brain contained a lower proportion of activity compared to corresponding fractions of liver. The presence of polyadenylic acid degrading activity in these fractions and its relative increase with age may indicate a changing emphasis in the pattern of RNA metabolism during growth; for example, a higher rate of RNA synthesis in the young and a higher rate of RNA turnover in the adult.When the soluble fraction of rat brain was dialyzed, the polyadenylic acid degrading activity of this fraction was stimulated by the addition of inorganic orthophosphate. Brain and liver homogenates also mediated an ADP – inorganic phosphate exchange reaction which was highest in the newborn and decreased rapidly with age. These observations indicate that at least a part of the polyadenylic acid degrading activity in brain and liver extracts may be due to phosphorolytic action.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0008-4018
Language:
English
Publisher:
Canadian Science Publishing
Publication Date:
1969
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