Heterologous mischarging as a means of tRNA fractionation. I. Behaviour of E. coli phenylalanyl-tRNA(1Val) on BD-cellulose.

The chromatographic behaviour of E.coli tRNA(Val) (1), Val-tRNA(Val) (1) and Phe-tRNA(Val) (1) was studied on BD-cellulose columns. At pH 4.0 and 4 degrees C the elution position of Phe-tRNA(Val) (1) was not affected by the presence of absence of Mg(2+), whereas Val-tRNA(Val) (1) was slightly retarded when Mg(2+) was ommited. It is postulated that the amino acid and its nature influence the structure that the aminoacyl-tRNA assumes. Under suitable conditions the heteroaminoacylated Phe-tRNA(Val) (1) eluted significantly later than other tRNAs. This fact showed that heterologous mischarging can be a useful step in tRNA purification methods.