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INTRACELLULAR RNA DURING MEIOSIS IN MICROSPORANGIA OF TAXUS BACCATA
Author(s) -
Pennell R. I.,
Bell P. R.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
american journal of botany
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.218
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1537-2197
pISSN - 0002-9122
DOI - 10.1002/j.1537-2197.1987.tb08626.x
Subject(s) - biology , cytoplasm , prophase , meiosis , nucleus , rna , microbiology and biotechnology , meiocyte , nucleolus , cell nucleus , mitosis , genetics , gene
Using microfluorimetry the variations in the level of insoluble RNA in the nucleolus, nucleus and cytoplasm, have been followed during meiosis I in the microspore mother cells of Taxus baccata , in which meiosis extends over approximately six weeks. The concentration of RNA in nucleus and cytoplasm showed ordered changes during prophase, there being indications of a fall in the value in the nucleus at the beginning of prophase followed by a rise to a maximum at diakinesis. When the relative volumes of the cytoplasm were taken into account, and confidence limits applied, it became clear that there was no evidence of any significant loss of RNA from the cell during prophase. The amount in fact increased between zygotene and pachytene, and then showed little change until metaphase. With regard to movements between the compartments of the cell, the confidence limits do not allow firm conclusions, but the consistency of the data is in conformity with a slight movement from cytoplasm to nucleus at the time of formation of the synaptonemal complexes, followed by a fall in nuclear RNA and a rise in that of the cytoplasm. The data do not support the concept of a massive loss of RNA from the cytoplasm during prophase. The universality of this phenomenon is questioned, and the significance of the results is sought in the duration of meiosis I.