A novel nuclease from mitochondria of rat liver

Alkaline RNase partially purified from rat liver mitochondria hydrolyzes both RNA and denatured DNA. The behaviors of RNase activity of the nuclease are closely similar to those of the DNase activity. The nuclease has a pH optimum between 9.0 and 9.5, and the activity is absolutely dependent on Mg²⁺ and reversibly inhibited by $\text{p}$-hydroxymercuribenzoate.