Isoprenylation of transfer ribonucleic acid

A two-fold difference in the total N⁶-(Δ²-isopentenyl) adenosine content was found between the serine accepting tRNA fractions from adult and embryonic bovine liver. Elution profiles of benzoylated DEAE cellulose showed three peaks of adult tRNA were capable of accepting serine. Using gas-liquid chromatography, each peak had measurable amounts of N⁶-(Δ²-isopentenyl) adenosine. When the same techniques were applied to embryonic bovine tRNA, three peaks accepted serine; however, only one peak contained N⁶-(Δ²-isopentenyl) adenosine. These results can be interpreted to indicate that adult and embryonic tRNA differ in the N⁶-(Δ²-isopentenyl) adenosine content of tRNA^ser.