Characteristics of ribonucleic acids isolated for Botryodiplodia theobromae pycnidiospores

Abstract

Nucleic acids isolated for dormant and germinated Botryodiplodia theobromae pycnidiospores contain five distinct species of RNA. They include two ribosomal species, two "ribosomal-associated" species and transfer RNAs. Sedimentation coefficients of 25.1S and 18S were obtained for the two ribosomal RNA species and 5.8S and 5S for the two "ribosomal-associated" RNA components. Molecular weights of 1.20,0.67,0.054 and 0.035x106 daltons were obtained after formaldehyde treatment and electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels for these same four RNAs. Methylated nucleotides were present in the transfer RNAs and large and small ribosomal RNAs; in contrast 5.8S and 5S RNAs contained few methylated nucleotides. In addition to the 5 distinct RNA species, polyadenylate-containing RNA was isolated from both dormant and germinated spores.