The Effect of Light and Inhibitors on Chloroplast and Cytoplasmic RNA Synthesis

Chloroplast RNA is synthesized in dark-grown radish cotyledons at about one-third the rate of that in the light. The synthesis, however, continues for longer in the dark and the percentage of chloroplast RNA can approach that in light-grown tissue. Light stimulates the synthesis and accumulation of both cytoplasmic and chloroplast RNA, but shows a 4-fold greater stimulation of the chloroplast RNA. Chloramphenicol, streptomycin and cycloheximide inhibit the synthesis of chloroplast RNA with little effect on cytoplasmic RNA. 5-Fluorouracil inhibits the synthesis of cytoplasmic more than chloroplast RNA. Synthesis of the 0.56 x 10(6) mol wt chloroplast RNA is inhibited much less than the other ribosomal RNA components by actinomycin D.