Synthesis and conservation of ribosomal proteins during compensatory renal hypertrophy.

The rate of synthesis of ribosomal proteins was investigated as an index of the rate of production of ribosomes in mouse kidney during the first few days after contralateral nephrectomy. Compensatory renal hypertrophy was not associated with a major increase in the synthetic rate of ribosomal proteins and rRNA. Instead, the ratio of the rate of ribosomal-protein synthesis to that of total protein synthesis remained nearly constant. The conformation of glutaraldehyde-fixed ribosomes and ribosomal subunits was unchanged. During the early stages of compensatory renal hypertrophy the accretion of rRNA is due largely to conservation of ribosomes that would otherwise have been degraded.