Fluctuation in polyadenylate size and content in exponential- and stationary-phase cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Abstract

Stationary-phase cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were found to have a reduced polyadenylate [poly(A)] content as compared with exponential-phase cells. A sizing procedure for poly(A) was devised to distinguish between alternative hypotheses to explain this reduction. Two major size classes of poly(A) were found. The decreased representation of the larger of the two classes accounted for the majority of the poly(A) loss. The remainder of the loss was accounted for by fewer poly(A)-containing sequences. The smaller of the two poly(A) classes was apparently not of mitochondrial origin and may be added transcriptionally.