Poly(A)-specific ribonuclease (PARN), a member of the DEDD family, is a key enzyme involved in the deadenylation of mRNA in higher eukaryotic cells. In this research, it was found that Mg(2+) could protect PARN against thermal inactivation by increasing the midpoint of inactivation and decreasing the inactivation rate. This protective effect was unique to Mg(2+) in a concentration-dependent manner. However, the thermal unfolding and aggregation was promoted by the addition of Mg(2+) at high temperatures. These results revealed that Mg(2+) might have dual effects on PARN stability: protecting the active site but endangering the overall structural stability.