[Role of RNA in the inactivation of chromosomes during the metaphase].

Unfixed, isolated metaphase chromosomes were used as template in an in vitro RNA synthesis assay. In these conditions, no RNA synthesis was observed by autoradiography. Transcription was effective after treatment with methanol-acetic acid, HCl 0,2 N, NaCl 0,35 M or pancreatic RNase. Transcription is the most important after treatment with RNase. This result points out the problem of the role of RNA in inhibition of chromosome during mitosis.