Studies on the low molecular weight RNA associated with 28S ribosomal RNA from Crotalus durissus terrificus liver.

A low molecular weight RNA was released from the purified rattlesnake 28 S RNA by brief heat treatment as well as by treatment with 80% dimethylsulfoxide or formamide. The sedimentation coeficient of this low molecular weight RNA was found to be 5.5 S, corresponding to a nucleotide number of 140 and a molecular weight of 46 000. It was also observed that 5.5S RNA is present in equimolar ratio to 5 S rRNA. Heat treatment of the purified 60 S ribosomal subunit also released the 5.5 S RNA. The possibility that this low molecular weight RNA is located on the surface of the large ribosomal subunit is discussed.