Studies on the RNA Isolated from Fresh Water Sponge, Ephydatia meyeni

Protein and DNA-free RNA, isolated from fresh water sponge, Ephydatia meyeni , shows 31 and 52% increase in A₂₆₀ value upon digestion with pancreatic RNAse and alkali, respectively. While total RNA exhibits a catalytic influence upon the aggregation of sponge cells, tRNA alone has a negligible effect. Although rRNA brings about a similar effect to that of total RNA, EDTA-treated rRNA has no effect upon the aggregation of sponge cells. Results are interpreted in the light of a possible role for polyamines.