[Preparation of extracellular ribonuclease form Actinomyces rimosus 994]

By sequential acid treatment, gel filtration and KM-cellulose sorption a 18--20-fold purified preparation of ribonuclease with a yield of 50--60% was obtained from the culture liquid filtrate of Actinomyces rimosus 994. The preparation had a high specific activity of 450,000--600,000 units/mg protein, contained 85--98% protein, insignificant amounts of carbohydrates and hydroxytetracycline, and no quantities of DNase, phosphomonoesterases, phosphodiesterase or proteases. In RNA degradation (preparation of the total yeast RNA of the Sigma Co.) optimal results were obtained at 50 degrees C and pH 7.0--7.2 in phosphate buffer and 7.6--8.0 IN Tris-HCl buffer. The preparation was stable at high temperatures (80--100 degrees) in the wide pH range and during storage in the lyophilized form and in buffer solutions. RNase effect was inhibited by zinc, copper, iron and cobalt cations and activated by beta-mercaptoethanol, citrate and EDTA. Protamine sulphate and urea in low concentrations (0.01% and 1--4 M, respectively) accelerated and in high concentrations (1% and 8 M, respectively) terminated the enzyme reaction. With respect to many properties RNase from Act. rimosus 994 was similar to extracellular RNases, produced by other actinomycetes and fungi.