CORRELATION BETWEEN THE PRESENCE OF TRANSFER RNAGUG(HIS) AND THE ERYTHROPOIETIC FUNCTION IN FETAL SHEEP LIVER

Histidyl-tRNAs from foetal and adult sheep liver were compared totheir reticulocyte counterparts. The combination of various techniques revealed the existence of two histidyl-tRNA species in reticulocytes, one of which was not retained on acetylated DRAE-cellulose columns and was guanylatable. Three histidyl-tRNA isoacceptors were identified in foetal liver. Two of these species were not adsorbed on acetylated DBAE-cellulose but only one was found to be guanylatable. An identical chroma-tographic behaviour on RPC-5 columns was observed for guanylated histidyl-tRNAs from both origins. These results suggest the occurrence of a GUG anticodon in these guanine-accepting tRNAs. In foetal liver the amount of guanylatable histidyl-tRNA was estimated to be 7% of the total tRNA population. This observation is in agreement with the erythropoietic function of liver during the foetal life. © 1979 Information Retrieval Limited.