The activity on double-stranded RNA of aggregates of ribonuclease A higher than dimers increases as a function of the size of the aggregates

Biochem J. 1996 Aug 15;318 ( Pt 1)(Pt 1):287-90. doi: 10.1042/bj3180287.

Abstract

Stable bovine RNase A aggregates larger than dimers (identified as trimers, tetramers, pentamers and hexamers) were obtained by lyophilization of RNase A from 40-50% acetic acid solutions. The RNase activity of these aggregates was compared with that of monomeric RNase A on single- and double-stranded polyribonucleotides. Their activity toward poly(U) and yeast RNA slightly decreases as a function of the size of the aggregates. In contrast, their action on poly(A).poly(U) as substrate progressively increases from a relative activity of 1 for the RNase monomer to 10 for the hexamer. These results are discussed in the light of an already advanced hypothesis about a possible mechanism of RNase attack on double-stranded RNA.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biopolymers / metabolism
  • Cattle
  • Chromatography, Gel
  • Enzyme Stability
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation
  • Pancreas / enzymology
  • Poly A-U / metabolism
  • Poly U / metabolism
  • Protein Conformation
  • RNA, Double-Stranded / metabolism*
  • Ribonuclease, Pancreatic / chemistry
  • Ribonuclease, Pancreatic / metabolism*
  • Yeasts

Substances

  • Biopolymers
  • RNA, Double-Stranded
  • Poly A-U
  • Poly U
  • Ribonuclease, Pancreatic