Possible defect in rna metabolism in leukemic cells

Autoradiographic techniques were used to explore possible differences in RNA synthesis rates between leukemic and nonleukemic leukocytes. In the past, reports have dealt primarily with DNA synthesis employing tritiated thymidine. The present report deals primarily with differences in the quantities and distribution of labeled RNA in leukemic and normal leukocytes employing tritiated uridine and cytidine. One hundred adults were studied; 63 patients had acute or chronic lymphocytic, myelocytic or monocytic leukemia. Thirteen normal individuals also were studied. The results demonstrated the potential value of RNA-labeling techniques in leukemia. The finding of increased intranuclear H3-RNA and decreased cytoplasmic H3-RNA is of particular interest and may be explained by an abnormality of RNA in leukemic cells.