A simple method for measuring specific radioactivities of ribonucleoside triphosphates using RNA polymerase. 1976

R E Maxson, and R S Wu

We describe a method for the rapid, one-step determination of the specific radioactivity and pool size of ATP, UTP, CTP or GTP. Escherichia coli RNA polymerase and poly[d(A-T)] or poly[d(G-C)] are used to synthesize an alternating copolymer from a [3H]nucleoside triphosphate of unknown specific activity and a [14C]nucleoside triphosphate of known specific activity. The fact that [3H]nucleotide and [14C]nucleotide are incorporated into poly[r(A-U)] or poly[r(G-C)] in equimolar amounts, coupled with a knowledge of the [14C]nucleotide specific activity, permits calculation of the [3H]nucleotide specific activity. The requirement for direct knowledge of the [14C]nucleotide specific activity may be bypassed by an isotope dilution procedure. The pool size of a nucleoside triphosphate can be estimated either from isotope dilution data or by determining the fraction of [3H]nucleotide polymerized, dividing the number of counts 3H/min in the polymer by this fraction and by the [3H]nucleotide specific activity. The method was successfully applied to acid extracts made from sea urchin embryos labeled with a [3H]RNA precursor.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007553 Isotope Labeling Techniques for labeling a substance with a stable or radioactive isotope. It is not used for articles involving labeled substances unless the methods of labeling are substantively discussed. Tracers that may be labeled include chemical substances, cells, or microorganisms. Isotope Labeling, Stable,Isotope-Coded Affinity Tagging,Isotopically-Coded Affinity Tagging,Affinity Tagging, Isotope-Coded,Affinity Tagging, Isotopically-Coded,Isotope Coded Affinity Tagging,Labeling, Isotope,Labeling, Stable Isotope,Stable Isotope Labeling,Tagging, Isotope-Coded Affinity,Tagging, Isotopically-Coded Affinity
D007700 Kinetics The rate dynamics in chemical or physical systems.
D008433 Mathematics The deductive study of shape, quantity, and dependence. (From McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 6th ed) Mathematic
D008722 Methods A series of steps taken in order to conduct research. Techniques,Methodological Studies,Methodological Study,Procedures,Studies, Methodological,Study, Methodological,Method,Procedure,Technique
D010063 Ovum A mature haploid female germ cell extruded from the OVARY at OVULATION. Egg,Egg, Unfertilized,Ova,Eggs, Unfertilized,Unfertilized Egg,Unfertilized Eggs
D002250 Carbon Radioisotopes Unstable isotopes of carbon that decay or disintegrate emitting radiation. C atoms with atomic weights 10, 11, and 14-16 are radioactive carbon isotopes. Radioisotopes, Carbon
D004926 Escherichia coli A species of gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped bacteria (GRAM-NEGATIVE FACULTATIVELY ANAEROBIC RODS) commonly found in the lower part of the intestine of warm-blooded animals. It is usually nonpathogenic, but some strains are known to produce DIARRHEA and pyogenic infections. Pathogenic strains (virotypes) are classified by their specific pathogenic mechanisms such as toxins (ENTEROTOXIGENIC ESCHERICHIA COLI), etc. Alkalescens-Dispar Group,Bacillus coli,Bacterium coli,Bacterium coli commune,Diffusely Adherent Escherichia coli,E coli,EAggEC,Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli,Enterococcus coli,Diffusely Adherent E. coli,Enteroaggregative E. coli,Enteroinvasive E. coli,Enteroinvasive Escherichia coli
D005260 Female Females
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D012265 Ribonucleotides Nucleotides in which the purine or pyrimidine base is combined with ribose. (Dorland, 28th ed) Ribonucleoside Phosphates,Ribonucleotide,Phosphates, Ribonucleoside

Related Publications

R E Maxson, and R S Wu
January 2005, Nucleosides, nucleotides & nucleic acids,
R E Maxson, and R S Wu
March 1960, Biochimica et biophysica acta,
R E Maxson, and R S Wu
November 1961, Bulletin de la Societe de chimie biologique,
R E Maxson, and R S Wu
December 1986, Journal of biochemical and biophysical methods,
R E Maxson, and R S Wu
June 1977, Biochimica et biophysica acta,
R E Maxson, and R S Wu
January 1974, Molecular biology,
R E Maxson, and R S Wu
March 1993, Annals of clinical biochemistry,
Copied contents to your clipboard!