Ribosomal RNA synthesis in newly sliced discs of potato tuber.

A burst of ribosomal RNA synthesis is induced in potato tissue by slicing, and continues at a decreasing rate for about 12 hours. Ribosomal RNA synthesis in potato discs is sensitive to puromycin, in contrast to non-ribosomal RNA synthesis. Thus, the influence of puromycin on total RNA synthesis is significant only during the first 12 hours following slicing. The function of RNA made after 12 hours in a puromycin-insensitive manner is unknown. However, it is apparently unrelated to protein synthesis, since it has been shown that total inhibition of RNA synthesis by addition of actinomycin D to potato tissue after 12 hours of aging has no effect upon protein synthesis during the ensuing 12 hours.