An optimized micromethod for determining the catalytic activity of serum ribonuclease

An optimized assay is described for the catalytic activity determination of serum ribonuclease, using polycytidylic acid as substrate and measuring the released acid-soluble ultra-violet absorbing products. Recommended final reaction concentrations are 0.3 mmol/l polycytidylic acid, 200 mmol/l imidazole/HCl buffer, pH 7.0, and 50 mmol/l NaCl. Optimal concentrations for the precipitation procedure, guaranteeing sufficient precipitation and minimal decomposition of unreacted substrate, are 160 mmol/l perchloric acid and 4 mmol/l lanthanum nitrate. Coefficients of variation for the method (within series and between days) ranged from 2.2 to 7.9%. No sex-related differences of catalytic activity were observed. In 63 blood donors with normal values of serum creatinine, the upper limit of the reference intervals (99th percentile) was 33.7 kU/l.