The effect of alteration of nuclear lipids on messenger RNA transport from isolated nuclei

Studies were performed to examine the effect of alteration of the fatty acid composition of nuclear lipids on messenger RNA transport. Rats were maintained for four weeks on a semi-synthetic diet enriched in either saturated or polyunsaturated fatty acids. Messenger RNA transport was monitored by using a cell-free system comprised of isolated nuclei and fortified cytosol. This transport was found to be reduced by 34% from nuclei isolated from animals fed the diet enriched in saturated fatty acids as compared with the diet enriched in polyunsaturated fatty acids. The reduction was associated with a decrease in the unsaturation index of the nuclear fatty acids.