Maternal Histone Messenger RNA: Detection by Molecular Hybridization

A competition-hybridization assay has been developed for the majority of sequences present in embryonically synthesized histone messenger RNA. The assay permits the first direct demonstration of specific "maternal" messengers in unfertilized sea-urchin eggs. The molecular size of histone messenger RNA stored in the egg appears to be the same as that of histone messenger RNA synthesized by the embryo. Maternal histone messenger RNA is found in the soluble phase of egg homogenates, in the form of ribonucleoprotein particles, unassociated with ribosomes.