Distinct enzymic functional groups are required for the phosphomonoesterase and phosphodiesterase activities of Clostridium thermocellum polynucleotide kinase/phosphatase

The central phosphatase domain of Clostridium thermocellum polynucleotide kinase/phosphatase (CthPnkp) belongs to the dinuclear metallophosphoesterase superfamily. Prior mutational studies of CthPnkp identified 7 individual active site side chains (Asp-187, His-189, Asp-233, Asn-263, His-323, His-376, and Asp-392) required for Ni2+-dependent hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl phosphate. Here we find that Mn2+-dependent phosphomonoesterase activity requires two additional residues, Arg-237 and His-264. We report that CthPnkp also converts bis-p-nitrophenyl phosphate to p-nitrophenol and inorganic phosphate via a processive two-step mechanism. The Ni2+-dependent phosphodiesterase activity of CthPnkp requires the same seven side chains as the Ni2+-dependent phosphomonoesterase. However, the Mn2+-dependent phosphodiesterase activity does not require His-189, Arg-237, or His-264, each of which is critical for the Mn2+-dependent phosphomonoesterase. Mutations H189A, H189D, and D392N transform the metal and substrate specificity of CthPnkp such that it becomes a Mn2+-dependent phosphodiesterase. The H189E change results in a Mn2+/Ni2+-dependent phosphodiesterase. Mutations H376N, H376D, and D392E convert the enzyme into a Mn2+-dependent phosphodiesterase-monoesterase. The phosphodiesterase activity is strongly stimulated compared with wild-type CthPnkp when His-189 is changed to Asp, Arg-237 is replaced by Ala or Gln, and His-264 is replaced by Ala, Asn, or Gln. Steady-state kinetic analysis of wild-type and mutated enzymes illuminates the structural features that affect substrate affinity and kcat. Our results highlight CthPnkp as an "undifferentiated" diesterase-monoesterase that can evolve toward narrower metal and substrate specificities via alterations of the active site milieu.     

草甸棕壤水稻田磷酸酶活性及对施肥措施的响应

1　引　　言土壤有机磷是一种重要的土壤磷素资源 .我国大部分土壤中有机磷占土壤全磷的 2 0 %～ 50 % ,但在森林和草原植被下的土壤可占到 50 %～ 80 % [9].土壤磷酸酶活性直接影响到有机磷库的利用 ,即磷酸酶活性是衡量土壤肥力 ,尤其是土壤有效磷水平的一个重要参考指标[15 ].土壤磷酸酶(Phosphatases)是催化含磷有机酯和酐水解的一类酶的总称 ,其活性高低直接影响着土壤中有机磷的分解转化及其生物有效性 .其中 ,磷酸单酯酶 (酸性、中性、碱性磷酸酶 )活性一直是土壤磷酸酶研究的重点[18].由于土壤中有机磷化合物的复杂性 ,除了磷酸单…     

Milk fat globule membranes. Inhibition by sucrose of the alkaline phosphomonoesterase.

Sucrose, a widely used agent in the preparation of membranes, inhibited the alkaline phosphomonoesterase of the milk fat globule membrane in both its membrane-bound and detergent-solubilized forms. The inhibition was kinetically competitive and reversible by dialysis. However, its mechanism was more complex than simple competition with substrate because: (a) sucrose induced the appearance of prolonged time-lags in the progress curves of the enzyme; (b) the extent of inhibition and of the time-lags depended on the age of the membrane preparation, the period of pre-exposure of the membranes to sucrose, and the temperature of pre-exposure. On the other hand the acid phosphomonoesterase and the phosphodiesterase activities also present in the membrane preparations were unaffected by the disaccharide.     

Milk fat globule membranes. Inhibition by sucrose of the alkaline phosphomonoesterase

Sucrose, a widely used agent in the preparation of membranes, inhibited the alkaline phosphomonoesterase of the milk fat globule membrane in both its membrane-bound and detergent-solubilized forms. The inhibition was kinetically competitive and reversible by dialysis. However, its mechanism was more complex than simple competition with substrate because: (a) sucrose induced the appearance of prolonged time-lags in the progress curves of the enzyme; (b) the extent of inhibition and of the time-lags depended on the age of the membrane preparation, the period of pre-exposure of the membranes to sucrose, and the temperature of pre-exposure. On the other hand the acid phosphomonoesterase and the phosphodiesterase activities also present in the membrane preparations were unaffected by the disaccharide.     

Studies on the properties of triphosphoinositide phosphomonoesterase and phosphodiesterase of rabbit iris smooth muscle.

The rabbit iris smooth muscle has been shown to contain triphosphoinositide phosphomonoesterase (phosphatidyl-myo-inositol-4,5-bisphosphate phosphohydrolase, EC 3.1.3.36) and phosphodiesterase (triphosphoinositide inositoltrisphosphohydrolase, EC 3.1.4.11) activities. Under our experimental conditions about 77% of the phosphomonoesterase and 61% of the phosphodiesterase activities were localized in the particulate fraction. The kinetic properties of the enzymes in the microsomal fraction were examined. The enzyme preparation was specific to polyphosphoinositides; it did not attack phosphatidylinositol under the present assay condition. The effects of Ca2+ and Mg2+ were also studied. Although the microsomal enzymes did not require added divalent cations for their activities, both the phosphomonoesterase and phosphodiesterase were appreciably inhibited by 1 mM EDTA. Phosphodiesterase and phosphomonoesterase were stimulated by Ca2+ and Mg2+, respectively. The demonstration of triphosphoinositide phosphodiesterase in the iris muscle, coupled with the findings that this enzyme is activated by Ca2+ and is not influenced by acetylcholine add further support to our previous conclusion (J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. (1978) 204, 655--668; J. Neurochem. (1978) 30, 517--525) that an increased Ca2+ influx, following the interaction between the neurotransmitter and its receptor, could act to stimulate the phosphodiesterase, thus leading to increased triphosphoinositide breakdown and increased phosphatidic acid via increased diacylglycerol.     

Substrate specificity and structure-function analysis of the 3'-phosphoesterase component of the bacterial NHEJ protein, DNA ligase D

DNA ligase D (LigD) performs end remodeling and end sealing reactions during nonhomologous end joining in bacteria. Pseudomonas aeruginosa LigD consists of a central ATP-dependent ligase domain fused to a C-terminal polymerase domain and an N-terminal phosphoesterase (PE) module. The PE domain catalyzes manganese-dependent phosphodiesterase and phosphomonoesterase reactions at the 3' end of the primer strand of a primer-template. The phosphodiesterase cleaves a 3'-terminal diribonucleotide to yield a primer strand with a ribonucleoside 3'-PO4 terminus. The phosphomonoesterase converts a terminal ribonucleoside 3'-PO4 or deoxyribonucleoside 3'-PO4 of a primer-template to a 3'-OH. Here we report that the phosphodiesterase and phosphomonoesterase activities are both dependent on the presence and length of the 5' single-strand tail of the primer-template substrate. Although the phosphodiesterase activity is strictly dependent on the 2'-OH of the penultimate ribose, it is indifferent to a 2'-OH versus a2'-H on the terminal nucleoside. Incision at the ribonucleotide linkage is suppressed when the 2'-OH is moved by 1 nucleotide in the 5' direction, suggesting that LigD is an exoribonuclease that cleaves the 3'-terminal phosphodiester. We report the effects of conservative amino acid substitutions at residues: (i) His42, His48, Asp50, Arg52, His84, and Tyr88, which are essential for both the ribonuclease and 3'-phosphatase activities; (ii) Arg14, Asp15, Glu21, and Glu82, which are critical for 3'-phosphatase activity but not 3'-ribonucleoside removal; and (iii) at Lys66 and Arg76, which participate selectively in the 3'-ribonuclease reaction. The results suggest roles for individual functional groups in metal binding and/or phosphoesterase chemistry.     

Essential constituents of the 3'-phosphoesterase domain of bacterial DNA ligase D, a nonhomologous end-joining enzyme

DNA ligase D (LigD) catalyzes end-healing and end-sealing steps during nonhomologous end joining in bacteria. Pseudomonas aeruginosa LigD consists of a central ATP-dependent ligase domain fused to a C-terminal polymerase domain and an N-terminal 3'-phosphoesterase (PE) module. The PE domain catalyzes manganese-dependent phosphodiesterase and phosphomonoesterase reactions at a duplex primer-template with a short 3'-ribonucleotide tract. The phosphodiesterase, which cleaves a 3'-terminal diribonucleotide to yield a primer strand with a ribonucleoside 3'-PO4 terminus, requires the vicinal 2'-OH of the penultimate ribose. The phosphomonoesterase converts the terminal ribonucleoside 3'-PO4 to a 3'-OH. Here we show that the PE domain has a 3'-phosphatase activity on an all-DNA primer-template, signifying that the phosphomonoesterase reaction does not depend on a 2'-OH. The distinctions between the phosphodiesterase and phosphomonoesterase activities are underscored by the results of alanine-scanning, limited proteolysis, and deletion analysis, which show that the two reactions depend on overlapping but nonidentical ensembles of protein functional groups, including: (i) side chains essential for both ribonuclease and phosphatase activity (His-42, His-48, Asp-50, Arg-52, His-84, and Tyr-88); (ii) side chains important for 3'-phosphatase activity but not for 3' ribonucleoside removal (Arg-14, Asp-15, Glu-21, Gln-40, and Glu-82); and (iii) side chains required selectively for the 3'-ribonuclease (Lys-66 and Arg-76). These constellations of critical residues are unique to LigD-like proteins, which we propose comprise a new bifunctional phosphoesterase family.     

Inositol Phospholipid Hydrolysis by Rat Sciatic Nerve Phospholipase C

Rat sciatic nerve cytosol contains a phosphodiesterase of the phospholipase C type that catalyzes the hydrolysis of inositol phospholipids, with preferences of phosphatidylinositol 4'-phosphate (PIP) greater than phosphatidylinositol (PI) much greater than phosphatidylinositol 4',5'-bisphosphate (PIP2), at a pH optimum of 5.5-6.0 and at maximum rates of 55, 13, and 0.7 nmol/min/mg protein, respectively. Analysis of reaction products by TLC and formate exchange chromatography shows that inositol 1,2-cyclic phosphate (83%) and diacylglycerol are the major products of PI hydrolysis. [32P]-PIP hydrolysis yields inositol bisphosphate, inositol phosphate, and inorganic phosphate, indicating the presence of phosphodiesterase, phosphomonoesterase, and/or inositol phosphate phosphatase activities in nerve cytosol. Phosphodiesterase activity is Ca2+-dependent and completely inhibited by EGTA, but phosphomonoesterase activity is independent of divalent cations or chelating agents. Phosphatidylcholine (PC) and lysophosphatidylcholine (lysoPC) inhibit PI hydrolysis. They stimulate PIP and PIP2 hydrolysis up to equimolar concentrations, but are inhibitory at higher concentrations. Both diacylglycerols and free fatty acids stimulate PI hydrolysis and counteract its inhibition by PC and lysoPC. PIP2 is a poor substrate for the cytosolic phospholipase C and strongly inhibits hydrolysis of PI. However, it enhances PIP hydrolysis up to an equimolar concentration.     

Effect of pressure on plant endonuclease reactions

Effect of pressure on plant endonucleases, nuclease P1 from penicillium and an endonuclease from potato, was investigated especially on the influence on phosphomonoesterase and phosphodiesterase activities shown on substrates of XpYp type, as well as their intrinsic pressure-stability. The potato enzyme was found to be far less pressure-sensitive in both senses.     

Phosphatases ofAcinetobacter lwoffi. Localization and regulation of synthesis by orthophosphate

Several phosphomonoesterases and diesterases with various pH optima have been observed inAcinetobacter lwofi JW11. The osmotic shock fluids contained only those with an alkaline pH optimum. The synthesis of these phosphatases was regulated by external Pi concentrations. The shock fluids were fractionated by chromatography, yielding three fractions, two of which had hydrophobic properties. One of these contained an alkaline phosphatase that specifically required Ca²⁺ for activity. The diesterases required various divalent cations for their function. Mutants that lack phosphomonoesterase or both phosphomonoesterase and phosphodiesterase activities were isolated.     

In vitro methylation of yeast tRNAAsp by rat brain cortical tRNA-(adenine-1) methyltransferase.

Rat brain cortices from young animals contain large amounts of tRNA (adenine-1)methyltransferase(s). The enzyme(s) can methylate E. coli tRNA and to a lower degree yeast tRNA. Among yeast tRNA species which can be methylated we have selected tRNAAsp as a substrate for the brain enzyme. The digestions of in vitro methylated [Me-3H]-tRNAAsp with pancreatic and/or T1 ribonucleases followed by chromatographies on DEAE-cellulose, 7 M urea, suggested that the methylation of tRNAAsp occurred at a single position within the D-loop. Further digestion of the radioactive oligonucleotide recovered after DEAE-cellulose chromatography by phosphomonoesterase and snake venom phosphodiesterase enzymes followed by bidimensional thin layer chromatography enabled us to determine the location of the adenine residue which becomes methylated by the brain enzyme. This one resulted to be the adenine 14 in the D-loop of yeast tRNAAsp.     

Teichoicase from Bacillus subtilis Marburg.

The properties of a teichoic acid degrading enzyme (teichoicase) isolated from Bacillus subtilis Marburg are described. The purified enzyme showed phosphodiesterase activity but not phosphomonoesterase activity, and it had an absolute substrate specificity for alpha-glucosylated glycerol teichoic acid, the endogenous cell wall teichoic acid of the enzyme-producing cell. The substrate was degraded by an exo-mechanism yielding the monomer alpha-D-glucose 1 leads to 2 (sn)glycero-3-phosphate. When B. subtilis Marburg was grown in a rich medium, enzyme activity was detected in extracts from sporulating cells. Teichoicase activity was present in a mutant blocked in stage II of the sporulation process but was absent in a mutant blocked in stage O. It was concluded that teichoicase is active on enzyme-producing cells since the reaction product could be detected in their culture supernatant. Attempts to demonstrate analogous enzyme activity in other Bacillus strains failed. The enzyme could be used for the rapid detection of alpha-glucosylated glycerol teichoic acid and for the controlled alteration of native bacterial cell surfaces exhibiting the appropriate structure.     

Alkaline phosphatase of the calf intestine hydrolyzes phospholipids

Pure alkaline phosphatase of the calf intestine is able to hydrolyze phosphatidylinositol 4,5-diphosphate (TPI) to phosphatidylinositol and Pi and to dephosphorylate phosphatidic acid. This phosphomonoesterase activity shows a considerably high specific activity when an incubation medium at neutral pH containing 3 mM deoxycholate is used. The activity is inhibited by low concentrations of Ca2+. The enzyme has no detectable phosphodiesterase activity under the conditions tested.     

A comparative study of cobra (Naja) venom enzymes

1. The L-amino acid oxidase, hyaluronidase, alkaline phosphomonoesterase, protease, phosphodiesterase, acetylcholinesterase, phospholipase A and 5'-nucleotidase activities of 47 samples of venoms from all the six species of cobra (Naja), including five subspecies of Naja naja, were examined. 2. The results demonstrated interspecific differences in the venom contents of phospholipase A, acetylcholinesterase, hyaluronidase and phosphodiesterase. These differences in venom enzyme contents can be used for the differentiation of species of the genus Naja. 3. Thus, our results revealed a correlation between the enzyme composition of venom and the taxonomic status of the snake at the species level for the genus Naja.     

Functional interrelationships in the alkaline phosphatase superfamily: phosphodiesterase activity of Escherichia coli alkaline phosphatase

Escherichia coli alkaline phosphatase (AP) is a proficient phosphomonoesterase with two Zn(2+) ions in its active site. Sequence homology suggests a distant evolutionary relationship between AP and alkaline phosphodiesterase/nucleotide pyrophosphatase, with conservation of the catalytic metal ions. Furthermore, many other phosphodiesterases, although not evolutionarily related, have a similar active site configuration of divalent metal ions in their active sites. These observations led us to test whether AP could also catalyze the hydrolysis of phosphate diesters. The results described herein demonstrate that AP does have phosphodiesterase activity: the phosphatase and phosphodiesterase activities copurify over several steps; inorganic phosphate, a strong competitive inhibitor of AP, inhibits the phosphodiesterase and phosphatase activities with the same inhibition constant; a point mutation that weakens phosphate binding to AP correspondingly weakens phosphate inhibition of the phosphodiesterase activity; and mutation of active site residues substantially reduces both the mono- and diesterase activities. AP accelerates the rate of phosphate diester hydrolysis by 10(11)-fold relative to the rate of the uncatalyzed reaction [(k(cat)/K(m))/k(w)]. Although this rate enhancement is substantial, it is at least 10(6)-fold less than the rate enhancement for AP-catalyzed phosphate monoester hydrolysis. Mutational analysis suggests that common active site features contribute to hydrolysis of both phosphate monoesters and phosphate diesters. However, mutation of the active site arginine to serine, R166S, decreases the monoesterase activity but not the diesterase activity, suggesting that the interaction of this arginine with the nonbridging oxygen(s) of the phosphate monoester substrate provides a substantial amount of the preferential hydrolysis of phosphate monoesters. The observation of phosphodiesterase activity extends the previous observation that AP has a low level of sulfatase activity, further establishing the functional interrelationships among the sulfatases, phosphatases, and phosphodiesterases within the evolutionarily related AP superfamily. The catalytic promiscuity of AP could have facilitated divergent evolution via gene duplication by providing a selective advantage upon which natural selection could have acted.     

Synthesis of dicytidylyl-(3'-5')-1,2-di(adenosin-N6-yl)ethane and dicytidylyl-(3'-5')-1,4-di(adenosin-N6-yl)butane: covalently joined terminals of two transfer ribonucleic acids and their behavior toward snake venom phosphodiesterase

The chemical synthesis of the tital bridged trinucleoside diphosphates 3e and 3f along with the corresponding dinucleoside phosphates 3c and 3d is described. Bridged nucleosides 3a and 3b gave on treatment with triethyl orthoformate in the presence of p-toluenesulfonic acid in dimethylformamide the cyclic orthoesters 2a and 2b. Condensation of 2a and 2b with N,2',5'-O-triacetylcytidine 3'-phosphate (1) using dicyclohexylcarbodiimide in pyridine afforded after deblocking and chromatographic separation products 3c-f. The latter were readily degraded with pancreatic RNase, but 3c and 3e were completely resistant toward snake venom phosphodiesterase whereas 3d and 3f were digested to the extent of 65 and 43%, respectively. The major product of degradation of 3f with phosphodiesterase was compound 3d resulting from the combined action of phosphodiesterase and contaminating phosphomonoesterase. The results are explained in terms of stacking of terminal bridge nucleoside units in 3c-f. The implications of these findings for the function of snake venom phosphodiesterase are discussed.     

Phosphodiesterase activity of alkaline phosphatase in ATP-initiated Ca(2+) and phosphate deposition in isolated chicken matrix vesicles

Inorganic pyrophosphate is a potent inhibitor of bone mineralization by preventing the seeding of calcium-phosphate complexes. Plasma cell membrane glycoprotein-1 and tissue nonspecific alkaline phosphatase were reported to be antagonistic regulators of mineralization toward inorganic pyrophosphate formation (by plasma cell membrane glycoprotein-1) and degradation (by tissue nonspecific alkaline phosphatase) under physiological conditions. In addition, they possess broad overlapping enzymatic functions. Therefore, we examined the roles of tissue nonspecific alkaline phosphatase within matrix vesicles isolated from femurs of 17-day-old chick embryos, under conditions where these both antagonistic and overlapping functions could be evidenced. Addition of 25 microM ATP significantly increased duration of mineralization process mediated by matrix vesicles, while supplementation of mineralization medium with levamisole, an alkaline phosphatase inhibitor, reduces the ATP-induced retardation of mineral formation. Phosphodiesterase activity of tissue nonspecific alkaline phosphatase for bis-p-nitrophenyl phosphate was confirmed, the rate of this phosphodiesterase activity is in the same range as that of phosphomonoesterase activity for p-nitrophenyl phosphate under physiological pH. In addition, tissue nonspecific alkaline phosphatase at pH 7.4 can hydrolyze ADPR. On the basis of these observations, it can be concluded that tissue nonspecific alkaline phosphatase, acting as a phosphomonoesterase, could hydrolyze free phosphate esters such as pyrophosphate and ATP, while as phosphodiesterase could contribute, together with plasma cell membrane glycoprotein-1, in the production of pyrophosphate from ATP.     

The polyphosphoinositide phosphodiesterase of erythrocyte membranes

1. A new assay procedure has been devised for measurement of the Ca(2+)-activated polyphosphoinositide phosphodiesterase (phosphatidylinositol polyphosphate phosphodiesterase) activity of erythrocyte ghosts. The ghosts are prepared from cells previously incubated with [(32)P]P(i). They are incubated under appropriate conditions for activation of the phosphodiesterase and the released (32)P-labelled inositol bisphosphate and inositol trisphosphate are separated by anion-exchange chromatography on small columns of Dowex-1 (formate form). When necessary, phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate can be deacylated and the released phosphodiesters separated on the same columns. 2. The release of both inositol bisphosphate and inositol trisphosphate was rapid in human ghosts, with half of the labelled membrane-bound phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate broken down in only a few minutes in the presence of 0.5mm-Ca(2+). For both esters, optimum rates of release were seen at pH6.8-6.9. Mg(2+) did not provoke release of either ester. 3. Ca(2+) provoked rapid polyphosphoinositide breakdown in rabbit erythrocyte ghosts and a slower breakdown in rat ghosts. Erythrocyte ghosts from pig or ox showed no release of inositol phosphates when exposed to Ca(2+). 4. In the presence of Mg(2+), the inositol trisphosphate released from phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate was rapidly converted into inositol bisphosphate by phosphomonoesterase activity. 5. Neomycin, an aminoglycoside antibiotic that interacts with polyphosphoinositides, inhibited the breakdown of both phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate, with the latter process being appreciably more sensitive to the drug. Phenylmethanesulphonyl fluoride, an inhibitor of serine esterases that is said to inhibit phosphatidylinositol phosphodiesterase, had no effect on the activity of the erythrocyte polyphosphoinositide phosphodiesterase. 6. These observations are consistent with the notion that human, and probably rabbit and rat, erythrocyte membranes possess a single polyphosphoinositide phosphodiesterase that is activated by Ca(2+) and that attacks phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate with equal facility. Inhibition of this activity by neomycin seems likely to be due to interactions between neomycin and the polyphosphoinositides, with the greater inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate breakdown consistent with the greater affinity of the drug for this lipid. In addition, erythrocyte membranes possess Mg(2+)-dependent phosphomonoesterase that converts inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate into inositol bisphosphate.     

A comparative study of the biological properties of venoms from snakes of the genus Vipera (true adders)

1. The hemorrhagic, procoagulant, anticoagulant, phosphodiesterase, hyaluronidase, alkaline phosphomonoesterase, 5'-nucleotidase, arginine ester hydrolase, phospholipase A, L-amino acid oxidase and protease activities of 26 samples of venoms of 13 taxa of Vipera were determined and the Sephadex G-75 gel filtration patterns for some of the venoms were also examined. 2. The results indicate the presence of certain common characteristics among the venoms, particularly if V. russelli is excluded from the comparison. The results also support the recently proposed reassignment of V. russelli to a separate genus. 3. The data show that information on venom biological properties can be used for differentiation of venoms of many species of Vipera. Particularly useful for this purpose are the protease, phosphodiesterase, phospholipase A and the procoagulant activities and the Sephadex G-75 gel filtration patterns of the venoms.     

Purification of a ribonuclease from potato tubers and its use as an antigen in the immunochemical assay of this protein following tuber damage

Summary A method for the purification of a ribonuclease from potato tubers is described. The preparation was free from deoxyribonuclease and phosphodiesterase activities and possessed only slight phosphomonoesterase activity. Specific antibodies against the ribonuclease preparation were raised in rabbits. Two precipitin arcs were observed on Ouchterlony plates and three by the use of immunoelectrophoresis suggesting that the preparation contained three antigens. Development of one of the arcs on the diffusion plates could be prevented by prior absorption of the RNase preparation with an antiserum specific for phosphomonoesterase from potato tubers. Two of the arcs developing upon immunoelectrophoresis, one of which had low electrophoretic mobility and the other which migrated to the anode, corresponded in position to that of ribonuclease fractionated by agar gel electrophoresis. The remaining arc corresponded to the position of that arising when the RNase antigen was cross-reacted with specific antibodies against phosphomonoesterase from potato tubers. It was concluded that the anti-acid RNase antiserum may be useful for the immunochemical assay of RNase protein when used in conjunction with an anti-phosphomonoesterase antiserum and it was used for this purpose with homogenates derived from damaged and undamaged tuber tissue cv. Majestic. The observations suggested that RNase protein did not parallel the increase in ribonuclease activity following tissue damage and it was concluded that the enhanced RNase activity following mechanical damage may be due to activation of the pre-formed enzyme.