Radiofrequency dielectric spectroscopy of ribosome suspensions

Dielectric measurements on different ribosome suspensions were carried out in the frequency range from 10 kHz to 1 GHz. In intact ribosomes two dispersions were detected: one around 100 kHz and the other one in the MHz region. In separated ribosomal subunits and in ribosomes resuspended in a buffer with no magnesium ions (relaxed ribosomes) only the MHz dispersion was observed. Electrical conductivities of the samples at 1 kHz were also measured. The temperature dependence of the two dispersions was investigated and a tentative attribution was proposed.