END GROUP AND SEDIMENTATION DATA ON FRAGMENTED HIGH MOLECULAR WEIGHT RIBONUCLEATES

Abstract

A method for end group analysis of ribonucleate preparations using purified snake venom phosphodiesterase is described. Unusual difficulties encountered with the method are discussed. The technique is useful for detection of end groups resulting from enzymic and chemical fragmentation of high molecular weight ribonucleates. Preliminary studies indicate that the method has limited usefulness because of a spontaneous hydrolysis of ribonucleates which occurs under the conditions which are optimal for hydrolysis with snake venom phosphodiesterase (pH 9, in the presence of magnesium). Physicochemical studies have shown that the pronounced dependence of sedimentation coefficient on ionic strength which has been reported by other investigators is also observed with fragmented high molecular weight ribonucleates and with 16S + 24S ribonucleates of Ehrlich ascites cells. The changes of sedimentation rate are associated with configurational and aggregation effects.