Aminoacyl-RNA synthetase and transfer RNA binding activity during early mammalian brain development

Abstract— Aminoacyl-RNA synthetase activity in mouse brain tissue was measured during the first few days after birth. Although the rate of protein synthesis rapidly diminished during this period, the activity of these specific enzymes was not reduced. In contrast, the binding of tyrosine and arginine was actually greater when the older enzyme preparations were employed. The ability of tRNA to bind amino acids during this critical stage of development was tested. Preparations of tRNA, isolated from 2-, 7-, 11- and 13-day-old, and adult brain tissue were employed with both young and old enzymes. No significant loss in binding activity was measured with these tRNA preparations.