BEHAVIOR OF TRANSFER RIBONUCLEIC ACIDS ON POLYACRYLAMIDE GEL COLUMNS

Partial separation of Escherichia coli B tRNA's into groups was obtained by gel permeation chromatography on a Bio-Gel P-100 column. The tRNA's were eluted with a buffered solution containing NaCl and MgCl2. Variables affecting the position of the tRNA's on the chromatogram were temperature, pH, and NaCl and MgCl2 concentrations. Possible reasons for the separations are molecular weight, shape, and charge effects. Melting curves and osmotic pressure measurements indicate that the separations probably result from conformational differences rather than differences in molecular weights. © 1969.