ON THE ROLE OF RNA IN GENE AMPLIFICATION

Abstract

ABSTRACT A complex of ribosomal DNA with RNA has been isolated from ovaries of metamorphosing tadpoles of Xenopus laevis. The complex is disrupted by treatments which destroy hydrogen bonds and the sedimentation of the DNA within the complex is sensitive to RNase. We suggest that the RNA: rDNA complex is an intermediate in the synthesis of amplified rDNA and that the role of the RNA in the process is that of a template. In addition, in a preliminary attempt to mimic the amplification process in vitro, we have demonstrated the use of this RNA from the complex as a template for DNA synthesis by a DNA polymerase isolated from ovaries of Xenopus.