Enzymatic Hydrolosis of 16s Ribosomal RNA and 30s Ribosomal Subunits

Author

Jaime Amaya-Farfan, University of Rhode Island

Date of Award

1970

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Biological Sciences

Department

Biological Sciences

First Advisor

Karl A. Hartman Jr.

Abstract

E. coli 30s ribosomal subunits and protein-free 168 RNA have been mildly hydrolyzed with pancreatic ribonuclease and the RNA fragments analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The protein-free RNA gives nine discrete fragments and the 308 subunits give six discrete fragments. A comparison of electrophoretic mobilities, indicates that at least three fragments from 168 RNA are distinct from the fragments from 308. The kinetics of the hydrolysis reaction is pseudo first-order for the protein-free 168 RNA and pseudo second-order for the 308 ribosomes. The rate of hydrolysis of the protein-free 168 RNA is much faster than that of the 308 subunit. These data suggest that in the protein-free 168 RNA there are certain regions exposed to the ribonuclease which are not exposed in the ribosome, and that this is due to either some shielding by the specific proteins or to a different conformation of the RNA in the ribosome.

Recommended Citation

Amaya-Farfan, Jaime, "Enzymatic Hydrolosis of 16s Ribosomal RNA and 30s Ribosomal Subunits" (1970). Open Access Master's Theses. Paper 1149.
https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/theses/1149