Ribosyl-cis-zeatin in a Leucyl Transfer RNA Species from Peas

Cytokinin-Active Ribonucleosides in Phaseolus RNA: II. DISTRIBUTION IN tRNA SPECIES FROM ETIOLATED P. VULGARIS L. SEEDLINGS

The distribution of cytokinin-active ribonucleosides in tRNA species from etiolated Phaseolus vulgaris L. seedlings has been examined. Phaseolus tRNA was fractionated by benzoylated diethylaminoethyl-cellulose and RPC-5 chromatography, and the distribution of cytokinin activity was compared with the distribution of tRNA species expected to correspond to codons beginning with U. Phaseolus tRNA(Cys), tRNA(Trp), tRNA(Tyr), a major peak of tRNA(Phe), and a large fraction of tRNA(Leu) were devoid of cytokinin activity in the tobacco bioassay. Cytokinin activity was associated with all fractions containing tRNA(Ser) species and with minor tRNA(Leu) species. In addition, several anomalous peaks of cytokinin activity that could not be directly attributed to U group tRNA species were detected.

Production and characterization of antibodies and establishment of a radioimmunoassay for ribosylzeatin

An antibody directed towards ribosyl-trans-zeatin has been produced and characterized. The antiserum was produced in rabbits using ribosyl-zeatin-bovine serum albumin as an immunogen. A radioimmunoassay which employed this antiserum and a tritiated antigen was established. As little as 10 picomoles ribosyl-trans-zeatin could be detected. The specificity of the antiserum was measured in the radioimmunoassay by using nonradioactive nucleosides as competitive inhibitors. Changes in position N(6) were more effective in decreasing antibody recognition than changes in position 2. Of particular interest was the interaction of the isomer ribosyl-cis-zeatin. This compound was significantly less active as an inhibitor than ribosyl-trans-zeatin, demonstrating that the antibody was sensitive to minor changes in the structure of the antigen.The use of this antibody and the radioimmunoassay for ribosylzeatin provides a rapid method for the detection of ribosylzeatin, as well as offering the potential for immunoadsorbent columns which would be useful in the purification of macromolecules, such as tRNA, which contain the ribosylzeatin moiety.