Studies on the intracellular segregation of polyribosome-associated messenger ribonucleic acid species in the lactating guinea-pig mammary gland.
1. Free and membrane-bound polyribosomes were isolated and the associated mRNA species characterized by cell-free protein synthesis, RNA-complexity analysis and polyribosome run-off in vitro. 2. Of the recovered polyribosomal RNA 85% was associated with membrane-bound polyribosomes and contained 87--93% of the total milk-protein mRNA species as assessed by cell-free protein synthesis or RNA-complexity analysis. 3. RNA-complexity analysis showed that the abundant (milk-protein mRNA assumed) species constituted 55% of the post-nuclear poly(A)-containing RNA population, the remainder consisting of a moderately abundant population (18%) and a low abundance population (27%). Calculations suggest that each population contained up to 2, 48 and 5000 different species respectively. 4. RNA-complexity analysis of the free polyribosomal poly(A)-containing RNA demonstrated that all the species in the post-nuclear fraction were present, though in different proportions, the abundant, moderately abundant and low-abundance groups representing 38, 30 and 32% of this population. 5. RNA-complexity analysis of the membrane-bound polyribosomal poly(A)-containing RNA revealed a more limited population, 72% consisting of the abundant (milk-protein mRNA) species, and 28% a population of up to 900 RNA species. 6. Polyribosome run-off confirmed that milk-protein mRNA was associated with the membrane-bound and free polyribosomes, but represented only a small fraction of the total protein synthesized by the latter. 7. Comparative analysis of milk proteins synthesized in mRNA-directed cell-free systems, or by run-off of free and of membrane-bound polyribosomes, is consistent with the interpretation that in vivo the initiation of protein synthesis occurs on free polyribosomes, followed by the attachment of a limited population to the endoplasmic reticulum. After attachment, but before completion of peptide synthesis, the detachable N-terminal peptide sequence of one of these(pre-alpha-lactalbumin) is removed. 8. The results are discussed in terms of the mechanisms involved in the intracellular segregation of mRNA species in the lactating guinea-pig mammary gland.
D000818:Animals; D002451:Cell Compartmentation; D002474:Cell-Free System; D004247:DNA; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D007425:Intracellular Membranes / Q000378:metabolism; D007774:Lactation; D008321:Mammary Glands, Animal / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008894:Milk Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D011061:Poly A / Q000032:analysis; D011132:Polyribosomes / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011247:Pregnancy; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*
D008894:Milk Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011061:Poly A; D004247:DNA