Changes in RNA Synthesis and Messenger RNA Content in the Cerebellum of Rats with Graft Versus Host Disease

Abstract

Cerebellar RNA accumulation, synthesis and functional capacity was studied in 14-day-old F1 hybrid rats subjected to neonatally induced graft vs. host disease (GVHD). There was a decrease in RNA synthetic rate as measured by the uptake of labeled precursors into RNA. The decrease in total cerebellar RNA synthesis was reflected in a reduced amount of Nissl substance, visible in cresyl violet-stained 10-.mu.m-thick sections of cerebella, and in the total amount of cytoplasmic RNA isolated from individual cerebella from diseased animals compared with control littermates. Analysis of the RNA translational capacity in wheat germ protein synthesizing systems showed that RNA from experimental animals was biologically less active. Qualitative differences between protein populations in control and diseased animals were analyzed by 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis. There were few alterations in the steady state levels of cerebellar protein. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of the peptides synthesized in vitro by RNA from control and diseased animals showed that there were several changes in the relative abundance of some mRNA between the 2 RNA populations. These data show that the cerebellar RNA from rats with GVHD differs qualitatively and quantitatively from that of controls.