Studies on chromatin-associated nuclease from barley leaves

A nuclease associated with the chromatin of barley leaves hasbeen solubilized and purified 20 fold. The purified preparationhydrolyzes native or denatured DNA and RNA, but exhibits nophosphodiesterase or phosphomonoesterase activity. The ratiosof RNase and DNase activities remain essentially constant throughoutall the steps of purification. The two enzyme activities hadpH optimum of 7.0 and showed similar effects of phosphate, Zn++,Mg++ and other metal cations, EDTA, inhibitors, freezing andthawing, heat treatment and precipitation by protamine sulfateand streptomycin sulfate. RNA and DNA were degraded by the enzymein endonucleolytic fashion. (Received January 30, 1971; )