Function of RNA in Leukocytes

[jake_f]

Leukocytes is divided into two groups, Granulocytes and Agranulocytes. I know that the DNA is used for amino acid sequences of the proteins and enzymes.

 

The question I would like to ask:

 

Why do Granulocytes/ Agranulocytes have a high concentration of RNA?

 

I also know that there are the messenger RNA (mRNA), ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and transfer RNA (tRNA). I know their functions too. But the reason is I don't really know why the Leukocytes must have a high concentration of RNA. Is it because of the white blood cell function?

 

Please enlighten me.

[dttom]

Usually a high concentration of RNA implies large demand for protein synthesis. Leukocytes in fact could be divided into lymphocytes and granulocytes. The former, especially B cell series, need to produce a significant amount of immunoglobulin, T-cell series also need numerous protein messenger molecules like cytokines; the latter needs to synthesise pharmacalogically active polypeptides.

[CharonY]

Let me ask something. They have high RNA contents compared to what? (Context, context, context...)

[jake_f]

I think it is as compared to red blood cell. So is the high concentration of RNA due to the protein synthesis that is needed in the leukocytes?

[zule]

Mammal red blood cells lack nucleus, they don’t have DNA, so they can’t synthesize RNA.

[jake_f]

Thanks to dttom and CharonY, I guess I am finally on the right track. So the reason for the white blood cell to have RNA, is to synthesis proteins, but the functions of the proteins synthesized are related to the different functions of the various types of white blood cells.

 

Thanks, I think I can try to attempt that question now.