Physical state of newly synthesized RNA

Abstract

We have earlier reported the enzymatic synthesis of RNA from the four riboside triphosphates by a DNA-containing nucleoprotein of pea embryos.(1) Since the nucleoprotein contains the bulk of the tissue DNA and since it resembles in composition and properties the chromatin obtained directly from the nuclei of pea embryos,(2) we refer to the synthetically active material as chromatin. The RNA newly formed by our system is not liberated as free polynucleotide chains but remains associated with the DNA-containing nucleoprotein from which it may be liberated by heat. The present paper is concerned with the nature of this complex.

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