Colchicine prevents the translation of mRNA molecules transcribed immediately after proliferative activation of hepatocytes in regenerating rat liver

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Abstract
A dual‐labelling technique has been used to establish that partial hepatectomy has no effect on the degradation of poly (A)+ mRNA and confirms that the increased incorporation of precursor into mRNA during early prereplicative development reflects an actual increase in mRNA biosynthesis. Simultaneous studies on the changes in nuclear RNA metabolism support the conclusion that an increase in gene transcription does occur. Colchicine, at concentrations known to disrupt microtubules, has no effect on this increase in gene transcription but prevents the translation of the gene products by promoting polysome disaggregation transiently during a critical stage of prereplicative development. Studies with mefenamic acid and hydrocortisone, specific inhibitors of prostaglandin metabolism, have ruled out any involvement of prostaglandins in the induction of prereplicative mRNA synthesis.