Effects of inhibitors of protein or RNA synthesis on turnover rate of messenger RNA in rat liver

The administration of various inhibitors of protein or RNA synthesis to rats was shown to cause a prolongation of the half-life of liver mRNA. These inhibitors, however, caused no change in the levels of various ribonucleases present in the liver cells. It is concluded that the rate of mRNA turnover is not determined by the levels of ribonuclease activities. Using these data, along with current knowledge on the mechanism of action of various inhibitors, a model for the control of mRNA degradation is proposed.