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An investigation of RNA induction in amphibian tissues

University of British Columbia

Ribonucleic acid (RNA) from calf spleen tissue was isolated and purified by a modified Kirby phenol procedure. The absorption maximum of the isolate occurred at 260 mµ indicating the presence of nucleic acids and the absorption minima recorded at 230 mµ and 280 mµ indicated the absence of peptides and proteins. Colorimetric analyses indicated the presence of RNA and the absence of peptide, protein, DNA and carbohydrate contamination. Chromatographic analysis indicated the absence of carbohydrate contamination only after the purification with 2-methoxyethanol. The spleen RNA prepared by the phenol method was undegraded and demonstrated three distinct molecular species when analysed with the ultracentrifuge; a 27S fraction, an 18S fraction and an 8S fraction. Competent early gastrula ectoderm and embryos of Xenopus laevis exposed to undegraded spleen RNA demonstrated no tissue-specific induction. However, in both the in vitro and in vivo experimental series an enhancement of development was observed. A possible explanation of this phenomena was discussed.

Text

2011-09-22

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http://hdl.handle.net/2429/37565

Zoology

University of British Columbia

Graduate