Detection of ribonucleic acids which are larger than 30S precursor ribosomal RNA in RNase III deficient E. coli cells.

1. New high molecular weight RNA species have been found in an RNase III deficient mutant of E. coli. These RNA's were very minor but stable components of the cells, and their molecular weights, which range from 3-5.5 million daltons, are higher than that of 30S precursor ribosomal RNA. In these respects these RNAs are similar to the 2.5 M RNA reported previously (Yuki and Wittmann, 1974). 2. A method to analyse minor RNA components is described. A linear relationship between logarithms of molecular weights and logarithms of distance moved in 1.5-7.5% polyacrylamide concentration gradient gels is also described in this report. 3. DNA species whose molecular weights ranged from 1.8 to 5.5 million daltons and also a species of 8 million daltons are described. two techniques commonly used to identify RNA, viz. DNase treatment and labeling with radioactive uridine, are discussed in connection with these DNAs. 4. The determination of the molecular weight of 30S precursor ribosomal RNA is discussed and it is suggested that this RNA is heterogenous, consisting of two species of molecular weight 1.8 million daltons and 2.0 million daltons, respectively.