Fine structural changes in theDrosophila oocyte nucleus during a short period of RNA synthesis : An autoradiographic and ultrastructural study of RNA synthesis in the oocyte nucleus ofDrosophila.

H3-uridine was injected into the abdomen ofD. melanogaster andD. immigrans and after 10, 30, 60 and 120 min of incorporation, the ovaries were prepared for autoradiography. The oocyte nucleus was found to synthesize RNA during a short period of vitellogenesis (stage 10A). Ultrastructural studies of the oocyte nucleus were made at the stage active in RNA synthesis and many electron-dense structures were found to appear at this time. Since none of these structures resembled nucleoli in fine structure, it is suggested that the RNA synthesized is non-ribosomal. Other ultrastructural modifications of the oooyte nucleus are presented and discussed.