Sedimentation of ribosomal ribonucleic acid from ribonuclease treated and untreated ribosomes

The formation of a slowly sedimenting form of 23-S ribosomal RNA from E. coli has been investigated by analytical ultracentrifugation and thermal denaturation in aqueous solution and in formamide. Evidence is presented that the slow form of 23-S arises as a result of nucleate damage to the RNA in the 50-S ribosome. The 30-S ribosome (and 16-S RNA), is unaffected. The slow form of 23-S RNA cannot be demonstrated under conditions of complete denaturation in formamide, but only by partial denaturation in aqueous solution of low ionic strength (< 0.01M Na). Apparent maintenance of the integrity of 23-S RNA in formamide after nuclease treatment suggests that this may not be a simple linear molecule. An alternative model is suggested containing a circular element in the structure.