Changes in RNA and protein synthesis in the neural retina during lens regeneration in newts

✍ Scribed by Gulati, Adarsh K.

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1980
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 597 KB
• Volume: 214
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0022-104X
• DOI: 10.1002/jez.1402140113

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Since neural retina stimulates regeneration of a lens from the dorsal iris in newts, RNA and protein synthesis in the neural retina was investigated during this process. Incorporation of ^3^H‐leucine using liquid scintillation counting was employed to compare RNA and protein synthesis in the neural retina from sham‐operated control eyes with that in eyes during lens regeneration. An initial increase in ^3^H‐uridine uptake was seen one to three days after lentectomy. This was followed by greater incorporation of ^3^H‐leucine, indicating increased protein synthesis between 5 to 15 days after lens removal. A decrease in ^3^H‐uridine uptake was also seen at 5 to 12 days after lentectomy. After 20 days both the RNA and protein synthesis returned to the normal level. Since the increase in protein synthesis is preceded by an increase in RNA synthesis, the two processes might be related. The results indicate significant changes in the synthesis of macromolecules by the neural retina following lentectomy. These may be indirectly related to the production of the neural retinal factor with stimulates lens differentiation.