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Effect of Rate of Cell Division on RNA Synthesis in Developing Frog Embryos

Abstract

ENDODERM cells of developing Xenopus laevis1 and Rana pipiens embryos2,3 synthesize more RNA per cell, including DNA-like RNA, than do the more rapidly dividing ectoderm–mesoderm cells. Slowing the rate of cell division by culturing frog embryo explants in LiCl increases the amount of RNA synthesized per cell, including DNA-like RNA2, while increasing the rate of cell division by exposure to NaHCO3 has the opposite effect3. These data suggest that a reduction in the rate of cell division allows higher levels of RNA (including DNA-like RNA) to be synthesized per cell.

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FLICKINGER, R., DANIEL, J. & GREENE, R. Effect of Rate of Cell Division on RNA Synthesis in Developing Frog Embryos. Nature 228, 557–559 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1038/228557a0

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