Stability of cytoplasmic messenger RNA in HeLa cels

The metabolic stability of pulse-labeled or long-term labeled messenger RNA (mRNA) from cytoplasmic free polysomes was measured in HeLa cells, with chase conditions that do not involve inhibitors of RNA synthesis, and chromatography on benzoylated-DEAE-cellulose or poly(T)-cellulose for isolation of mRNA. For these studies, a new chase technique was developed that allows analysis of the stability of mRNA labeled during a short [(3)H]uridine pulse. Pulse-labeled and long-term labeled mRNA were found to decay with an estimated average half-life of about 2 and 3 days, respectively, much longer than hitherto assumed.