Covalent coupling of aminoacyl-tRNA to modified cellulose as a method of purification of specific tRNAs

Resolution of RNA using high-performance liquid chromatography

High-performance liquid chromatographic techniques can be very effective for the resolution and isolation of nucleic acids. The characteristic ionic (phosphodiesters) and hydrophobic (nucleobases) properties of RNAs can be exploited for their separation. In this respect anion-exchange and reversed-phase chromatography have been successfully employed in the analysis and/or isolation of RNAs. In some cases, particularly tRNAs, chromatographic separations which rely upon multiple interactions between the solute and mobile and/or stationary phases have been highly effective. Mixed-mode chromatography involving simultaneous ionic and hydrophobic interactions, has been employed to resolve complex mixtures of tRNAs. Hydrophobic-interaction chromatography using gradients of decreasing salt concentration and weakly hydrophobic stationary phases has allowed the resolution of some tRNA mixtures as well as the analysis of modified materials.

High-performance liquid chromatography of transfer RNAs. Separation of transfer RNAs from mammalian sources

A survey of recent advances in high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) of tRNA is presented here. The polystyrene and reversed-phase anion exchangers are discussed for their ability to resolve tRNAs without loss of the aminoacyl-tRNA bond. The HPLC of a tRNA of choice, based on the affinity principle, is studied. Both chemical (boronate) and biological (plant lectins) affinity groups for the tRNA interaction are described. A comprehensive scheme is presented for the separation of four mammalian tRNAs. Scope of future research in this area is also discussed.

Separation of isoacceptor cysteine transfer ribonucleic acids of bakers' yeasts

Isoacceptor species of certain amino acid-specific transfer ribonucleic acids (tRNAs) were fractionated by gel permeation chromatography using Sephadex G-100. The separation is attributed to the 20% ethanol-1% NaCl solvent and to the characteristics of Sephadex. Isoacceptor tRNAs specific for cysteine, arginine, phenylalanine, and histidine were recovered from commercial tRNA of yeast by this method. Highly purified cysteine-specific tRNA, obtained by a method which would not be expected to separate isoacceptor molecules when fractionated by this procedure, was shown to contain two cysteine isoacceptor tRNAs.