Effect of the protein-synthesis-initiation inhibitor 2-(4-methyl-2,6-dinitroanilino)-N-methylpropionamide on ribonucleic acid synthesis in radish seedlings.

2-(4-Methyl-2,6-dinitroanilino)-N-methylpropionamide, an inhibitor of initiation of protein synthesis in plants, selectively alters rRNA synthesis. Ribosomal genes are transcribed in the absence of protein synthesis, but processing of the transcripts is impaired. This results in an accumulation of the 2.3 X 10(6)-dalton pre-rRNA. Synthesis of polyadenylated RNA is not affected by the drug.