Autodegradation of pre-mRNA containing nuclear ribo-nucleoprotein particles. The effect of autodegradation on the double-stranded RNA sequences and on the protein composition of particles.

The quantitative changes of double-stranded RNA components of nuclear ribonucleo-protein particles containing pre-mRNA was investigated in the course of incubation of particles at 37 degrees C. The incubation of purified nuclear particles revealed the fragmentation of long double-stranded RNA sequences into shorter stretches. The presence of nuclear sap in the incubation mixture resulted in degradation of the double-stranded RNAs into acid soluble products. Autodegradation and/or ribonuclease treatment of nuclear RNP particles is accompanied by quantitative changes in the minor protein constituents of informofer.