Studies on Soluble Ribonucleic Acid: The Action of Snake Venom Phosphodiesterase on Soluble Ribonucleic Acid in Yeast

Abstract

SUMMARY The hydrolytic action of snake venom phosphodiesterase on soluble ribonucleic acid in yeast and synthetic polyribonucleo- tides was examined. It found that these polynucleotides were digested completely by the enzyme. All evidence in our study, as well as in earlier studies, indicates that the action phosphodiesterase is exonucleolytic and devoid base specific- ity. In confirmation of earlier findings with soluble ribonucleic acid in rabbit liver, it was seen that the methylated purines and pyrimidines, and also +uridine, soluble ribonucleic acid in yeast show a tendency to group together in the central segments of the chain. Acknozuledgment-The authors are indebted and grateful to Drs. K. S. McCully, W. A. Klee, and S. W. Luborsky for patient and interesting discussions during both the course of the work and the preparation of the manuscript. REFERENCES 1. RAZZELL, W. E., AND KHORANA, H. G., J. Biol. Chem., 334. 2105 (1959). 2.