Amino acids attached to transfer ribonucleic acid in vivo

1. tRNA was extracted from rabbit liver by both the phenol and diethyl pyrocarbonate methods under conditions preventing deacylation of the amino acids attached in vivo. 2. After deacylation 12 amino acids were determined by gas-liquid chromatography, by using the flame-ionization and nitrogen-sensitive thermionic detectors. 3. Comparison of the distribution of 12 amino acids attached to tRNA with those contained in total tissue protein and in the free pool showed little correlation. 4. Results for the enzymic charging assay for tRNA in vitro did not correlate satisfactorily with the analysis of amino acids attached to tRNA in vivo. Marked differences were ntoed in comparison made between our own and other published results.