A chemical and physical characterization of echinoid RNA during early embryogenesis.

The properties of the major RNA components prepared from Arbacia punctulata have been characterized by sedimentation in sucrose gradients and analysis of base composition. Comparison of the components found in the unfertilized egg with those observed subsequent to fertilization revealed no differences in any of the embryonic stages examined. The base composition and sedimentation profiles of RNA from unfertilized nuclear egg fragments and from 105,000 g pellet were similar to those of the intact egg. It is concluded that the early stages of embryogenesis are not accompanied by detectable alteration of the physical or chemical characteristics of the major RNA components found in the unfertilized egg.