Synthesis of the intranuclear crystals in Scolopendrium vulgare (L.) SM

Proteinaceous intranuclear crystals are found in the fern Scolopendrium vulgare. During mitosis these crystals are eliminated from the nucleus into the cytoplasm, where they are dissolved. New crystals appear in the nucleus. The site of synthesis of intranuclear crystal proteins was investigated using quantitative ultrastructural autoradiography after incubation with tritiated lysine. The results suggest a migration of cytoplasmic proteins to the nucleus, part of which would then be incorporated into the intranuclear crystals.