Ribonuclease Activity Associated With Ribosomes of Zea mays

Abstract

At pH 6.5, a ribonuclease(s) is associated with ribosomes isolated from corn (Zea mays L.) and cannot be removed by repeated differential centrifugation or by sedimenting through the sucrose gradient. The enzyme is active under conditions favoring the maintenance of integrity of the ribosomes. Little or no latent ribonuclease appears to be present. The activity of the enzyme at pH 5.8 is stimulated by KCl and inhibited by polyvinyl sulfate, zinc, and bentonite. Deoxyribonuclease is also found on the particles.The enzyme can be removed from ribosomes by adsorption onto bentonite. Ribosomes are also adsorbed but to a much lesser extent at low bentonite concentrations. The enzyme is easily dissociated from ribosomes by raising the pH to 8.5, and readsorbed when the pH is lowered.The ribonuclease activity on ribosomes shows a sharp increase with cell age that parallels closely the increase in total activity in the homogenate. The ratio of activities of deoxyribonuclease to ribonuclease on ribosomes also changes with cell age and again the changes appear to reflect changes in the homogenate. It is suggested that most of the association of ribonuclease with corn ribosomes may not be meaningful in vivo and occurs only after the cells are ruptured.