Preparation and characteristics of the structure of methoxyamine-modified f2 RNA

Treatment of phage f2 RNA with [14-C]methoxyamine under non-denaturing conditions resulted in modification of exposed cytosines only. On methoxyamine treatment in the presence of 6 M-guanidine, all cytosines were modified. Under the conditions applied, no modification of adenine base in RNA chain occurred. The structure of modified f2 RNA preparations was studied by melting and sedimentation analysis. The ratio between the modification products (N-4-methoxycytosine and N-4-methoxy-6-methoxyamino-5,6-dihydrocytosine) was determined in RNA preparations modified under non-denaturing and denaturing conditions.