The Oligonucleotide Nature and Synthesis of Acid-soluble Ribonucleic Acid in Amphibian Eggs and Embryos.

The total ribonucleic acid fraction of mature ovarian eggs of amphibia and fish is composed of two gross fractions, one soluble in cold 0.5 M perchloric acid and the other insoluble in the acid (1, 2). Furthermore, on prolonged treatment with mild alkali, about 80% of the acid is converted to mononucleotides, some 20% being recovered as oligonucleotide fragments, a few of which contain labile phosphorus (1). The presence of this peculiar ribonucleotide fraction in ovarian eggs and its virtual absence from somatic tissue suggests that it is unique to immature cells and that it may influence embryonic development. Consequently we have endeavored to (a) characterize further the chemical nature of acid-soluble RNA from ovarian eggs, and (5) study the metabolic activity of acid-soluble RNA and acid-insoluble RNA during amphibian embryonic development.