Transfer of tRNAs to somatic cells mediated by Sendai-virus-induced fusion.

Abstract

TRNAs from yeast [Saccharomyces cerevisiae] (tRNAPhe and 4S RNA) and Escherichia coli (suIII+ tRNAITyr) were transferred to mouse cells by a 2-step transfer procedure. In the 1st stage of the transfer tRNAs were incorporated into rabbit red blood cells (RBC). Thereafter, the loaded erythrocytes were fused with recipient mouse cells by means of Sendai virus. At least 0.3-0.4% of the total input of tRNA used to load the RBC could be transferred to mouse cells. Of the tRNA incorporated in the mouse cells, at least 50% could be recovered in the form of intact tRNA molecules when yeast 4S RNA was used. With E. coli suIII+ tRNAITyr a rather smaller proportion of the tRNA remained intact (33%). Although the loading of tRNA into RBC is not essential for its uptake, the transfer is 4 times more efficient with RBC as a vehicle for the injection. Significantly, a fraction (2%) of the recipient cells possessed much more incorporated tRNA than the average cell when Sendai virus and loaded RBC were used. Such cells were not found in control experiments in which tRNA uptake was induced by Sendai virus alone.