Comparison of the thermolability and hydrophobic properties of high- and low-molecular-weight forms of rabbit liver arginyl-tRNA synthetase

Summary Two preparations with arginyl-tRNA synthetase activity have been obtained from rabbit liver post-microsomal fraction: a) a high-molecular-weight containing the multienzyme aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase complex and b) a low-molecular-weight preparation containing free enzymes. Thermal inactivation of arginyl-tRNA synthetase in both preparations has been compared in a solution which was successively supplemented with tRNA, reduced glutathione, L-ascorbic acid, ZnCl₂ and Triton × 100. Moreover, hydrophobic properties of both enzyme preparations have been compared. It was found that the complexed arginyl-tRNA synthetase is more stable than the free enzyme. A role of hydrophobic interactions in the maintenance of the complexed enzyme stability is suggested.Abbreviations DFP Diisopropylfluorophosphate - GSH Glutathione (reduced) - PMSF Phenylmethylsulfonyl Fluoride - Ap₄A Diadenosine 5, 5-P₁, P₄-tetraphosphate - Preparation I high-molecular-weight arginyl-tRNA synthetase preparation - Preparation II low-molecular-weight arginyl-tRNA synthetase preparation