Degradation of RNA in nuclei from Ehrlich ascites cells

Nuclei were prepared from Ehrlich ascites cells in 80% yield by homogenization of the cells in an aqueous solution containing Triton N-101 and washing of the nuclear fraction by centrifugation and resuspension. Compared to the enzyme activities present in cell extracts, approximately 47% exo-RNase I, 15% alkaline RNase II, 9% acid RNase II and 7% acid phosphatase were associated with the nuclear fraction after isolation. Exo-RNase I and alkaline RNase II were rapidly lost from nuclei during incubation at 37 degrees C. The degradation of newly synthesized RNA in nuclei incubated at 37 degrees C was followed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and by characterization of acid-soluble degradation products. The rate of hydrolysis of the nuclear RNA was rapid during the initial stages of incubation and then proceeded at a much reduced rate. Nucleoside 5'-phosphates were the major acid-soluble degradation products, in agreement with the presence of exo-RNase I. Although a considerable amount of alkaline RNase II was associated with the nuclear fraction, extensive endonucleolytic cleavage of the nuclear RNA was not apparent. Compared to the processing of nuclear RNA in whole cells, however, the degradation in isolated nuclei was relatively non-specific.