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Revisiting the action of bovine ribonuclease A and pancreatic-type ribonucleases on double-stranded RNA

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Abstract

Single-strand-preferring ribonucleases of the pancreatic type, structurally and/or catalytically similar to bovine RNase A but endowed with a higher protein basicity, are able to degrade double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) or DNA: RNA hybrids under standard assay conditions (0.15 M NaCl, 0.015 M sodium citrate, pH 7), where RNase A is inactive. This enzyme too, however, becomes quite active if assay conditions are slightly modified or its basicity is increased (polyspermine-RNase). In the attempt to review these facts, we have analyzed and discussed the role that in the process have the secondary structure of dsRNA as well as other variables whose influence has come to light in addition to that of the basicity of the enzyme protein, i.e., the ionic strength, the presence of carbohydrates on the RNase molecule, and the structure (monomeric or dimeric) of the enzyme. A possible mechanism by which dsRNAs are attacked by pancreatic-type RNases has been proposed.

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Abbreviations

RNase:

Ribonuclease

dsRNA:

Double-stranded RNA

ssRNA:

Single-stranded RNA

poly(A) poly(U), poly(I) : poly(C):

Double-stranded Homopolymers formed between Polyadenylate and Polyurydilate, and Polyinosinate and Polycytidylate, respectively

poly(dA): poly (rU):

Double-stranded complex formed between Polydeoxyriboadenylate and Polyribouridylate

poly(A), poly(C):

Polyadenylate and Polycytidylate, respectively

poly[d(A-T)]:

Double-stranded Homopolymers formed between Polydeoxyriboadenilate and Polydeoxyribothymidylate

poly(dA-dT) : poly (dA-dT):

Double-stranded alternating copolymers

SSC:

0.15 M Sodium Chloride, 0.015 M Sodium Citrate pH 7

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Istituto di Chimica Biologica, Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Universitá di Verona, Italy

    Massimo Libonati

  2. Dipartimento di Chimica Organica e Biologica, Facoltà di Scienze M.F.N., Università di Napoli, Italy

    Salvatore Sorrentino

Authors
  1. Massimo Libonati
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  2. Salvatore Sorrentino
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Libonati, M., Sorrentino, S. Revisiting the action of bovine ribonuclease A and pancreatic-type ribonucleases on double-stranded RNA. Mol Cell Biochem 117, 139–151 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00230753

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00230753

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