Separation of transfer ribonucleic acids on polystyrene anion exchangers

Abstract

The tRNA separation by chromatography on strong-base-polystyrene exchange materials is examined and compared with the widely used reversed-phase chromatography. Results indicate important differences in some tRNA elution patterns by the anion-exchange chromatography, as compared with the reversed-phase chromatography. tRNA containing hydrophobic groups are adsorbed more strongly. The anion exchanger has twice the number of theoretical plates. Single peaks of tRNA2Glu and tRNA1Phe obtained from the reversed-phase column give multiple peaks on polystyrene anion-exchange chromatography. All 6 leucine tRNA (Escherichia coli) and differences in tRNA populations synthesized during early and late stages of the dividing lymphocytes from normal human blood can be characterized by the anion-exchange chromatography. Different separation profiles are obtained by 2 separation systems for tyrosine tRNA from mouse liver and mouse-plasma-cell tumor [MOPC-31c]. In contrast to the reversed-phase chromatography, strong-base-polystyrene anion-exchange chromatography is capable of separating tRNA with minor structural differences.