Organ and species specificity of the messenger RNA transport factor.

The transport of messenger RNA from isolated rat liver nuclei is dependent on a 35,000 dalton protein localized in the cytoplasm. The tissue and species specificity of this protein are reported. The factor from female rat liver or from rat brain, kidney, or hepatoma supports the transport of messenger RNA from male rat liver nuclei. Messenger RNA is also transported in response to the factor from beef and chicken liver. The cytosols from rat erythrocytes, amoeba and yeast were inactive in the rat liver system. The results indicate that the messenger RNA transport factor is not specific for the nucleotide sequence of the coding portion of the messenger RNA and that it is not organ or species specific within the vertebrates.