[RNA synthesis and translocation in root cells of Zea mays during early stages of germination].

RNA synthesis in root of germinating corn during the period extending from the 4th to the 8th hr after soaking is localized exclusively in the chromatin. This unusual situation allowed us to follow easily by section autoradiography the fate of the chromatin-synthesized RNA. The embryo was pulse-labeled with (3)H-uridine from the 6th to the 8th hr after soaking and chased with cold uridine (2 hr) and then left in water (40 hr). It was found that during the chase a large amount of the chromatin-synthesized RNA moves to the nucleolus, where it is accumulated, and that a small amount finally reaches the cytoplasm.