A method for measuring free-nucleotide pool sizes and incorporation of labeled precursors: its application in studying myocardial pyrimidine nucleotides.

A procedure for a rapid and accurate determination of nucleotide pool sizes in heart muscle is described. The method involves an enzymatic cleavage of all nucleotides by phosphodiesterase to nucleoside 5'-monophosphates and an HPLC separation (Partisil 10 SAX) by isocratic or two-step elution. This method permits reproducible measurements of the pools of pyrimidine nucleotides which are particularly small in cardiac tissue. Moreover, this technique may be conveniently applied in studies on the incorporation of labeled precursors into free nucleotides. Experimental evidence is presented showing the accuracy of the method.