[Nature of the heterogeneity of the 30S ribosomal subunits in vitro. II. Two types of inactivation of the 30S subunits of Escherichia coli ribosomes]

Abstract

The influence of concentration of monovalent cations on the binding constant of Phe-tRNAPhe to 30S.poly(U) complex was studied. Two types of inactivation of the 30S subunits by ammonium ions at the low magnesium concentration (1 mM) were found. The first type of inactivation was observed at high concentrations of NH4+ ions (from 0.5 to 1.5 M) and due to the dissociation of ribosomal proteins from 30S subunits. This inactivation only decreased the binding constant of Phe-tRNAPhe to 30S.poly(U) complex up to 50 times but all 30S subunits were equally achieved in Phe-tRNAPhe binding. This type of inactivation was reversible, addition of S-proteins restored the association constant to the original value. At low concentration of NH4+ ions (below 100 mM) about half of the 30S subunits is irreversibly inactivated (the binding constant of Phe-tRNAPhe decreased below detectable level) probably as a result of conformational changes in ribosomal RNA. Both types of inactivation of the 30S subunits can take place during the preparation of isolated subunits of ribosomes.