Rapid Labeling of RNA in Saccharomyces cerevisiae during Gamma Irradiation Correlated with Catalase Formation

Increased catalase activity in the gamma-irradiated cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is shown to be associated with an active turnover of RNA. The rapidly labeling fraction of RNA from the irradiated cells has been separated after pulse-labeling with³² P by a column chromatographic procedure. Appearance of this RNA component was also observed during catalase synthesis induced by aeration and H₂ O₂ addition. Such a relationship was not obtained for cytochrome oxidase, which was induced only by aeration but not by other treatments. Variation in the responses of these two enzymes to gamma irradiation has been discussed.