Additional evidence for involvement of RNA in maintenance of ATP levels in homogenates.

Abstract

SummaryPreincubation of liver homogenates with RNAse preparations nearly completely denaturated with respect to enzymatic activity by heat and acid is associated with no reduction in capacity to convert mevalonic acid to non-saponifiable material. Mevalonic acid utilization is completely eliminated by preincubation with native RNAse. The preincubation of liver homogenates with less completely inactivated RNAse involves more complicated phenomena. The results are interpreted to mean that the inactivation of MVA utilization observed with native RNAse is due to enzymatic activity of RNAse rather than to the basic properties of the protein that are not significantly altered on mild de-naturation. Additional evidence is thus provided for the involvement of RNA (or a ribonucleoprotein) in the complete system essential for conversion of mevalonic acid to non-saponifiable material by liver homogenates. Evidence has been presented previously that the RNA is essential for maintenance of ATP levels required in a num...