Large Globin RNA Molecules and Their Processing

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Abstract
RNA containing .beta.-globin message sequences larger than 2000 nucleotides could be clearly detected in nuclei of murine erythroid cells using cloned .beta.-globin c[complementary]DNA. Under steady-state conditions, when nuclear RNA was separated on denaturing agarose gels and covalently bound to diazobenzyloxymethyl-paper, a 4200-nucleotide and a .apprxeq. 3500-nucleotide band could be seen. The presence of these large molecules could be visualized under the EM after hybridization to a .beta.-globin genomic DNA fragment. These molecules evidently are precursors to mature mRNA. A series of molecules smaller than 2000 nucleotides were seen; they are probably processing intermediates in the maturation of .beta.-globin mRNA.