Massive ribonucleoprotein bodies in gametophyte vegetative cells of the mossTimmiella barbuloides (Brid.) Moenk

Summary Vegetative cells of the gametophyte phase of the mossTimmiella barbuloides (Pottiales) are characterized by large cytoplasmic bodies of spherical shape (SBs) whose ribonucleoprotein composition is cytochemically demonstrated. SBs seem to be derived from massive aggregation of cytoplasmic ribosomes, with possible participation by rough endoplasmic reticulum elements. SBs have been found in stereids, parenchymatous cells and young hydroids of the gametophyte stem, and in euricysts of the leaf nerve. The SBs develop early in the course of cell differentiation and, once formed, persist until advanced stages of cell senescence.     

Specific interaction of proteins with 5 S RNA and tRNA in the 42 S storage particle of Xenopus oocytes

During early oogenesis in amphibia, most of the 5 S RNA and tRNA is stored in a ribonucleoprotein particle that sediments at 42 S. In Xenopus laevis the 42 S particle contains two major proteins: of M_r 48 000 (P48) and 43 000 (P43). It is shown that heterogeneity in composition of the 42 S particle reflects a changing situation whereby initially, both 5 S RNA and tRNA are complexed with P48 (1 molecule 5 S RNA: 1 molecule P48; 2 or 3 molecules tRNA: 1 molecule P48), but later, tRNA becomes increasingly associated with P43 (in a 1:1 ratio) although 5 S RNA remains complexed with a cleavage product of P48. These changes relate to the eventual utilization of the excess 5 S RNA and tRNA in ribosome assembly and protein synthesis.     

大蒜中期染色体内的核糖核蛋白物质

研究了大蒜（Ａｌｌｉｕｍ ｓａｔｉｖｕｍ Ｌ．）中期染色体的超微结构和ＲＮＰ物质。常规染色表明,大部分染色体内部有低电子密度区,有的染色体中低电子密度区域较大而似孔洞。银染结果也证明了有大小不等的孔洞存在。Ｂｅｒｎｈａｒｄ 染色显示,在染色体周边和染色体内部都有ＲＮＰ分布。用ＮａＯＨ 处理证明了Ｂｅｒｎｈａｒｄ 染色法所显示的深染区确实含有ＲＮＡ。ＲＮＰ量的多少与ＥＤＴＡ 的分化时间呈负相关     

On the RNA World: Evidence in Favor of an Early Ribonucleopeptide World

A highly complex RNA world, as is sometimes presented in view of the widespread and diversified use of RNA enzymes, would have encountered many difficulties in passing to a world with catalysis mediated by proteins. These difficulties can be overcome by postulating a very early relationship between the nucleotide and the amino acid components. In particular, after asserting that some characteristics expressed by (nucleotide) coenzymes in catalysis are easier to understand if a close and early relationship between these coenzymes and amino acids is hypothesized, a model is presented for the origin of the enzyme–coenzyme complex. This model is essentially based on an intermediate formed by a tRNA-like molecule covalently linked to a polypeptide. The model attributes the majority of the catalytic role in the ribonucleoprotein world to the latter complex and thus it takes into account the birth of the key intermediate in the origin of protein synthesis—namely, peptidyl-tRNA, which would have otherwise been extremely difficult to select. The predictions of the model are discussed along with its robustness, using the data derived from the study of intermediary metabolism and those from molecular biology. Finally, the appearance of the genetic code in the late phase of the ribonucleopeptide world is discussed. Received: 13 January 1997 / Accepted: 25 July 1997     

Ribonucleoprotein multimers and their functions

Ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) play key roles in many cellular processes and often function as RNP enzymes. Similar to proteins, some of these RNPs exist and function as multimers, either momomeric or heteromeric. While in some cases the mechanistic function of multimerization is well understood, the functional consequences of multimerization of other RNPs remain enigmatic. In this review we will discuss the function and organization of small RNPs that exist as stable multimers, including RNPs catalyzing RNA chemical modifications, telomerase RNP, and RNPs involved in pre-mRNA splicing.     

原甲藻染色体中核糖核蛋白和银染蛋白的研究

关于染色体的研究到目前为止已经过去了一个多世纪,就染色体的高级结构已提出了许多不同的模型,尽管目前尚未达成统一认识,但染色体骨架的研究已引起人们的普遍关注,许多学者都认为在染色体中存在一个由非组蛋白或核糖核蛋白(RNP)组成的骨架结构,进一步研究染色体骨架的组成、结构特点对于认识染色体的高级结构无疑是十分必要的。蔡树涛等在甲藻染色体中观察到骨架结构并证明其主要成分是酸性蛋白,他们认为这些成分在甲藻染色体高级结构的组建和维持上可能起支架作用。本文用RNP优先染色和银染的方法对甲藻染色体中的RNP和银染蛋白进行初步研究,这对于进一步研究甲藻染色体的结构和组成以及真核生物染色体的高级结构具有一定的理论意义。