Uptake of exogenous ribonucleic acid by ascites tumor cells. II. Relations between RNA uptake and the cellular metabolism

The relations existing between the cellular metabolism and the RNA uptake in ascites tumor cells were investigated by modifying the temperature of the incubation and by using dinitrophenol. It was shown that the RNA uptake decreases when the metabolic activity of the cells is lowered. Treatments with heterologous (liver and yeast) and homologous RNAs lead to an activation of amino acid incorporation into the proteins of the cells. This happens at RNA concentrations which have no effect on the rate of oxygen consumption, thus suggesting a more specific role of the ingested RNA.