A protein-nucleic acid complex in teliospores of Ustilago maydis

The ribonucleic acids extracted from nongerminated teliospores of Ustilago maydis showed the spectrum similar to histone-DNA complex with a high 230/260 mμ ratio. The chemical analyses of the RNA preparations revealed that the spectral abnormality was due to the complexing of RNA with a protein. On the other hand RNA prepared from the isolated ribosomes of spores exhibited a normal spectrum and low protein content relative to RNA fraction. These observations show that an unusual protein is present in germinated spores which complexes with RNA and disappears as germination occurs.